Big Tree Trail – Meares Island Tribal Park

Big Tree Trail (Meares Island Tribal Park)

The Big Tree Trail at Wanachus-Hilthuuis (Meares Island) Tribal Park is the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation’s flagship visitor experience.  While it is situated across Tofino Harbour, walking this trail is a total immersion into nature and cultural history.

The trail was originally built by Tofino artist Adrian Dorst and his friends in 1984, as the Tla-o-qui-aht, together with environmental organizations, were successful in protesting MacMillan Bloedel’s intent to log Meares Island.  Today, it is under the stewardship of the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardians.

Along the trail, you’ll find Western Redcedar trees as old as 1,500 years.

Distance: 3 kilometres, round-trip

Some highlights and info:

• The Hanging Garden Tree, with a circumference of 18.3 metres, was once considered the largest tree of its kind in Canada. 
  
  
• The journey to Meares Island itself is a highlight, whether by motor boat or kayak from several Tofino guides.

• The wooden boardwalk on this trail is made of hand-split planks and can be uneven in some spots, and slippery in wet weather.