Conrad Stein

Canada: West Coast Trail

<p>In 1906, after several shipping disasters, the West Coast Trail was cut through the impenetrable rainforest on the Pacific west coast of Vancouver Island as a so-called "Livesaving Trail" for shipwrecked people. Today, the 75 km trail is considered one of the most grueling and demanding hiking routes in North America. It is considered a challenge for hiking enthusiasts made from all over the world. The 5- to 7-day routes lead for the most part through temperate rainforest. It offers visitors a unique coastal landscape with magnificent flora and fauna. The author describes the routes on the West Coast Trail and, in addition to fantastic nature experiences, also reports on the great physical and mental demands placed on the hiker.</p> <p