The West Coast Trail, originally called the Dominion Lifesaving Trail was built in 1907 to facilitate the rescue of shipwrecked survivors along the Vancouver Island coast, a treacherous area which in part is know as the Graveyard of the Pacific. It is now part of the Pacific Rim National Park and is often rated by hiking guides as one of the top hiking trails in the world.

The West Coast Trail passes through the traditional territory of the Pacheedaht, Ditidaht, Huu-ay-aht, and Nuu-chah-nulth peoples, who have inhabited the area for thousands of years. Native trails, used for trade and travel, existed in the area before European settlement.

In the 1800s, Europeans began to use the area to build and maintain a telegraph line between Victoria and Cape Beale. As well, more and more ships began to travel past the west coast of Vancouver Island, particularly between San Francisco and Alaska. The reefs and breakers off the coast posed a serious danger to navigation. One source cites almost 500 shipwrecks around Vancouver Island alone, part of a series of Pacific Northwest wrecks that led the region to be nicknamed the Graveyard of the Pacific. As an aid to the passing ships, the Government of Canada built the Cape Beale Lighthouse in 1893 and the Carmanah Lighthouse in 1891. These lighthouses were connected by a telegraph line to Victoria for communication. It was the telegraph workers who established and maintained this line that first started to build the West Coast Trail as we know it today.

In 1900, very little lifesaving infrastructure existed on the sparsely populated island. Although some plans were already underway to improve the infrastructure, the public outcry that followed the wreck of the SS Valencia with a loss of 125 lives in January 1906 spurred the Canadian government to undertake a comprehensive plan for improvements of the lifesaving infrastructure.

First, the Pachena Lighthouse was built in 1907, then the rugged telegraph route was upgraded to become the Dominion Life Saving Trail, by adding shelters stocked with supplies as an aid for shipwreck survivors.

By the 1950s, advancements in navigation and other technology eliminated the need for the Life Saving Trail and maintenance ceased. In the 1960s, logging companys desired the timber but efforts by conservationist help to establish the Pacific Rim National Park in 1970, at which time the Dominion LS trail was rebuilt and in 1973 became the West Coast trail.

The West Coast Trail is a 75 km (47 mile) backpacking trail following the southwestern edge of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. The trail has two terminus: the north end is at Bamfield near Barkley Sound; and the sound end is at Port Renfrew on Port San Juan Bay.

Hikers can choose to begin the trail in Port Renfrew and travel north, or in Bamfield and travel south. The southern parts of the trail are far more challenging than the flatter area in the north.

Overnight hikers must buy a permit, as only a set number of people are allowed to be on the trail at any one time. However, individuals are permitted to visit during the day at no expense.

Takes about five to seven days, depending on your gait.