We’re gearing up for yet another great trail building and hiking season this summer — come be part of it!
This summer, we’ll be leading you into some of the most spectacular old-growth forests on the planet. You’ll get the unique opportunity to work in partnership with local First Nations and community groups, participate in trips of varying lengths and difficulty levels, and learn about local ecosystems and the people working to preserve them.
Our trips are guided by trained, experienced wilderness leaders and the Wilderness Committee covers transportation costs associated with the trips. All trips involve carpooling with other volunteers. Volunteers are responsible for their own food and gear, but we can help with meal planning. We can also arrange discounted gear rental options for those who don’t have all the required gear. We don’t want people to miss out due to lack of equipment. So please contact us and we can help overcome this barrier.
Please register only if you are sure you’re able to make the trip (you can get the time off work, don’t have conflicting events, etc). Cancellations cost us a lot of administration time and can result in us not having enough volunteers for the trip. But do register before it’s too late. Our trips fill up fast.
We hope to see you out on the trail this year!
Koksilah River Grove Day Hike, Cowichan Tribes Territory
*lowest difficulty*
This is a day trip, so it’s best suited for those living on Southern Vancouver Island. If you’re coming from further away, you may need to arrange your own accommodation the night before). This is our easiest trail trip, meant to provide an opportunity to get out into intact old-growth forest, for folks unable to attend longer overnight trips that involve camping and trail work. The trip involves carpooling to Koksilah (about one hour north of Victoria) and then taking a guided hike into the ancient Douglas-fir forest, with nature interpretation along the way and a break for a snack along the river. The estimated hiking time is 2.5–3 hours, with about a 2.5-hour return drive from Victoria.
Dates:
- May 25th (day trip)
More information about our day trip to Koksilah.
Wildside Trail, Flores Island, unceded Ahousaht territory
*higher difficulty*
This is a three-night trip where we will be staying indoors at the Ahousaht village community hall (sleeping on the floor). The hall has bathrooms (no shower) and a full kitchen.
We will be dropped off by boat at Ahousaht village on Flores Island. We will then walk for about 5 minutes to the community hall with our gear, food and tools. We will be maintaining trails on the Wildside Trail, hiking long distances (up to 11km for two of the days) with day packs, water and light hand tools, trimming undergrowth to keep the trail clear.
(4 days, 3 nights)
Dates:
- June 14-17
- July 5-8
More information about our day trip to Wildside Trail.
Central Walbran Valley (Kaxi:ks), unceded Pacheedaht territory
*medium difficulty*
This trip will spread across three days and two nights. We will be car camping — setting up tents a five minutes walk from the vehicles. We will be working with a small crew of our allies from Friends of Carmanah-Walbran to maintain existing trails.
We will hike moderate distances with light hand tools, trimming undergrowth to keep the trail clear and potentially building boardwalks. For those who are able, we may be lifting and carrying heavy loads of wood.
(3 days, 2 nights)
Dates:
- September 6-8
More information about our day trip to Walbran.
All trips take place on the territories of the Ahousaht, Pacheedaht and Cowichan peoples, and the Wilderness Committee recognizes the sovereignty of these Indigenous Nations and expects all participants to carry themselves with respect and compassion.
For any questions about our 2024 trail trip season, please contact our campaign organizer Em at em@wildernesscommittee.org.