Trail Rating 8Hot Springs Cove is a wonderful day trip from Tofino.  Lots of whale watching companies offer whale watching/hot springs tours for very reasonable prices.  The boat ride is out on the open ocean is quite fun and there is a fair bit to see, not least the whales that you hopefully encounter.  The hot springs themselves are wonderful, and the 25 minute (1.2 kilometre) walk to them is unexpectedly beautiful and interesting. 

  • Clayoquot Hiking Trails ProHot springs pour into the ocean
  • Clayoquot Hiking Trails ProSeveral natural pools to choose from
  • Clayoquot Hiking Trails ProWaterfall shower pours from cliffs
  • Clayoquot Hiking Trails ProBoat taxi is wonderfully scenic
  • Clayoquot Hiking Trails ProBoardwalk has been carved by visitors
  • Clayoquot Hiking Trails ProRemote location keeps crowds away
  • Clayoquot Hiking Trails ProPools are flanked by steep cliffs
  • Clayoquot Hiking Trails ProOcean waves spill into lower pools
  • Clayoquot Hiking Trails ConTransport makes it quite expensive
  • Clayoquot Hiking Trails ConWilderness camping is prohibited

Clayoquot Hiking Trails

  Easy Hiking TrailThe Big Tree Trail  Easy Hiking TrailHot Springs Cove  Steep, Dog Friendly TrailLone Cone  Easy Hiking TrailNuu Chah Nulth  Steep, Dog Friendly TrailRadar Beach  Steep, Dog Friendly TrailRadar Hill  Easy Hiking TrailVargas Island  Virgin Falls  Easy Hiking TrailWild Pacific Trail

Victoria Hiking Trails

  Steep, Dog Friendly TrailAvatar Grove  Steep, Dog Friendly TrailBear Hill  Easy Hiking TrailEast Sooke Park  Victoria Hiking TrailElk/Beaver Lake  Victoria Hiking TrailEsquimalt Lagoon  Easy Pay Hiking Trail VictoriaFort Rodd Hill  Easy Hiking TrailFrancis/King  Victoria Hiking TrailGalloping Goose  Easy Hiking TrailGoldstream Park  Easy Hiking TrailGowlland Tod  Easy Hiking TrailGrass Lake  Steep, Dog Friendly TrailJohn Dean Park  Steep, Dog Friendly TrailJuan de Fuca Trail  Steep, Dog Friendly TrailLone Tree Hill  Steep, Dog Friendly TrailMill Hill  Steep, Dog Friendly TrailMount Douglas  Easy Hiking TrailMount Tolmie  Easy Hiking TrailSooke Potholes  Victoria Hiking TrailSpectacle Lake  Easy Hiking TrailThetis Lake  Victoria Hiking TrailWitty's Lagoon

Intricate cedar boardwalks and bridges move you up and through massive trees and wind through the forest.  Years of interesting carvings into the boardwalk planks adorn the route.  Hundreds of names of visiting people, groups, and vessels, give the walkway a historic and artistic feel to it.  Along the boardwalk there are a couple very nice viewpoints looking out to the ocean beyond the forest.  Upon reaching the hot springs there are some nice, beautifully built, cedar changing rooms and yet another viewpoint.  Finally a short path takes you to the hot springs.  Flowing through fissures in the rock the amazing 50 degree water (122F) flows from a small waterfall and continues through five wonderfully natural pools that lead to the ocean.  Ocean waves occasionally burst into the lower pools in a wonderful contrast of breathtaking cold and wonderful warm water. 

Hot Springs Cove Hiking Map

Hot Springs Cove Boat Dock

Hot Springs Cove Trail

Hot Springs Cove Huge Cedars

Hot Springs Cove Trail Bridge

Hot Springs Cove Boardwalk

Hot Springs Cove Boardwalk

Hot Springs Cove Boardwalk

Hot Springs Cove Trail View

Hot Springs Cove Pool

Hot Springs Cove Waterfall

Hot Springs Cove Waterfall

Hot Springs Cove Hike in Clayoquot

Directions to Hot Springs Cove

Water Taxi to Hot Springs CoveThere are a few different ways to get to Hot Springs Cove from Tofino.  A few different companies offer whale watching/hot springs tours for very reasonable prices.  The boat ride is out on the open ocean is quite fun and there is a fair bit to see, not least the whales that you hopefully encounter.  Along the beautiful, open ocean coastline of Vancouver Island, the swells are huge and the scenery incredible.  All sorts of marine wildlife can be seen on the 50 kilometre journey to the Hot Springs.  There is even a locally famous eagle nest on a small island just minutes from Tofino.  The huge resident stares menacingly down as you cruise past, and even so far above the boat, looks massive. The whale watching/hot springs tours take less than two hours each way to Hot Springs Cove, and they drop you off at the dock and pick up about three hours later.  The hot springs themselves are wonderful, and the 25 minute walk to them is unexpectedly beautiful and interesting.  Intricate cedar boardwalks and bridges move you up and through massive trees and wind through the forest.  Years of interesting carvings into the boardwalk planks adorn the route.  Hundreds of names of visiting people, groups, and vessels, give the walkway a historic and artistic feel to it.  Along the boardwalk there are a couple very nice viewpoints looking out to the ocean beyond the forest.

Hot Springs Cove Trail Map

Upon reaching the hot springs there are some nice, beautifully built, cedar changing rooms and yet another viewpoint.  Finally a very short trail takes you to the hot springs.  Flowing through fissures in the rock the amazing 50 degree water (122F) flows from a small waterfall and continues through five wonderfully natural pools that lead to the ocean.  Ocean waves occasionally burst into the lower pools in a wonderful contrast of breathtaking cold and wonderful warm water.  Keep in mind that there are no food and beverage facilities convenient to the hot springs.  Bring lots of food and drink and of course nothing glass in the hot springs.  Unlike many other BC hot springs, swimsuits are required here.  There are several ways to access Hot Springs Cove.  You can take a quick and pricey float plane, whale watching boat tour, or even the leisurely InnChanter Bed & Breakfast cruise.

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