This June, several Vancouver Island Trail Association Board of Directors, volunteers and fellow hikers had the pleasure of hiking stages 2 and 3 of the Alberni Inlet Trail, part of the extensive Vancouver Island Trail (VIT).
The VIT offers non-motorized, outdoor enthusiasts a scenic and historically rich experience. Winding along the rugged coastline of Vancouver Island near Port Alberni, these stages treat hikers to sweeping views of the Alberni Inlet, lush temperate rainforests, and occasional glimpses of local wildlife. Hikers are rewarded with a blend of wilderness adventure combined with deep historical ties to the old CNPR railway system of the 1912s.
Stage 2, a more remote route, follows the Alberni Inlet Trail, beginning near the base of the Franklin River and extending along forested ridges and remote logging roads toward the coast. This section offers expansive views of the Alberni Inlet and passes through second-growth forests, moss-covered glades, and rocky outcrops.
Stage 3 transitions hikers onto a well-graded route that once carried raw timber to the bustling Port Alberni mills. Now repurposed into a non-motorized recreational path, part of the Vancouver Island Trail, winds through the Alberni Valley’s rural landscapes and serves as a gentle, scenic contrast to the rugged terrain of Stage 2.
The railway legacy of these trails is central to their character and allure. Abandoned trestles, rail ties, and overgrown sidings can still be spotted along both sections, serving as physical echoes of the era when steam locomotives hauled logs down to coastal ports. For hikers, these remnants offer a compelling sense of time travel—walking in the footsteps of the rail workers and loggers who once carved their way through the wild heart of Vancouver Island.
For more information about the Vancouver Island Trail, visit us on our website.
Photography by Brian Norwick and Liz Bicknell
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