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How to get to Nitinat Lake
on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Nitinaht Lake is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island accessible
only via rugged gravel logging road.
Drive Safe.
Drive with your HEAD LIGHTS ON.
Bring a FULL SIZE SPARE TIRE. Watch for wildlife.
GENERAL GUIDLINES FOR TRAVELING TO NITINAHT
LAKE
Nitinaht lake is located 13 miles inland on the southwestern coast of Vancouver
Island between Bamfield and Port Refrew. Another reference point
would be to say we are the middle point of the West Coast Trail.
To get to Nitinaht, there are basically two routes you could
take. One route leading out of Port Alberni (NORTHERN
ROUTE) and the other one out of Duncan (SOUTHERN
ROUTE). Both routes take about the same time of travel if
you were to leave Nanaimo, and will require you to drive on
gravel roads which are classified as industrial roads. What this
means is that you will encounter logging trucks larger than
highway specifications and normal right of way rules do not
apply
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING TRAVEL
PRECAUTIONS BELOW TO HELP IN YOUR SAFE AND TIMELY ARRIVAL AT NITINAHT
LAKE.
To find your way out to
Nitinaht Lake, the final leg of the journey requires you to
travel along gravel logging roads. The condition of these
roads depend on several factors; logging activity, weather
and time of year. During the summer, the roads are typically
in fair condition, very dusty with moderate logging activity
and high tourist activity. During the winter the roads are
often very rough and on the odd occasion flooded. The
following are suggestions I highly recommend following
during your journey to this awesome playground.
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As this is a active logging area,
please travel according to road conditions and keep your
speed to the limits posted (usually 70km). It is usually
quite dusty, so traveling with your headlights on is
required. Daytime running lights do not have the
"brilliance" needed, so makes sure you turn your
headlights on.
-
Stay to your side of the road at all times. There are
no
right-a-way rules, the logging vehicles have the
right-a-way at all times. Most of the logging
trucks utilizing these roads are huge
(photo), typically reaching between 70-100tons, they
do not have the ability to quickly
maneuver or stop. So always pull over and come to a full
stop to allow these on-coming vehicles to pass. Dust can be a
issue, so before resuming on your way, make sure you can
see. If you come across a empty logging truck pulled of
the road at a bottom of hill, or corner, I highly advise
you to slow down considerably, as this usually indicates
a loaded truck is nearby coming towards you.
-
Do not pass any
vehicles without the drivers knowing you're there, as
their and your visibility can be severely restricted.
-
As these roads are gravel, rocks and
potholes can pose problems. Ensure that your vehicle is
in good repair, you have decent tires with good tread
and a full size spare, not a "donut" spare.
-
Graders are our BEST friends out
here, so be courteous and follow the right away rules in
#2 & #3 please. When a road is freshly graded, people
have a tendency to travel faster as it seems okay to do
so. Please keep the speed down. Freshly graded gavel
tends to be loose, which means that your vehicle will
have a tendency to "kick out" or "fish tail" easier than
that of hard packed gravel.
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Once past Port Alberni or Youbou,
cell phones no longer work, so do not count on your cell
to get you out of trouble if something arises. During
the summer months there is quite a bit of traffic on the
main roads so you won't be stranded for long should
something occur. As a side note, there are BCAA services
available in Port Alberni or Youbou.
These are just general guidelines for safe
travel in this area, common sense, patience and courtesy go
a long way.
Printer Friendly PDF file from BC Ferries Nanaimo through
Port Alberni to Nitnaht:
images/Directions. PDF
BC Ferries Information: Toll Free 1-888-223-3779 or
www.bcferries.com
For More Information Contact:
Nitinaht Visitors Centre
Tel: (250) 745-3375
FAX: (250) 745-3395
email: jude@nitinaht.ca
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