Meares Island - Tofino

Meares Island

From Tofino's harbour you can easily view the First Nations Village of Opitsat and the forested mountains of Meares Island.  The village may be twice as old as the Egyptian pyramids!  Meares Island is a quick introduction to the temperate rainforests of Vancouver Island.  Designated by the First Nations Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council as a park in 1985, Meares Island contains some of the biggest trees on the coast, including the largest Western Red Cedar on the planet!

'Big Tree Trail'

The boardwalk along the Meares Island 'Big Tree Trail' is 1.2 km long, and winds through a pristine forest of large Spruce, Hemlock and giant Cedar trees - some  5.5 m (17.5 ft) across and approximately 1500-2000 years old!  The boardwalk is suitable for all ages* and fitness levels, however, there are some steeper hand-railed stairs with a 30 ft descent.  Children love climbing inside the massive, hollow 'Hanging Garden Tree' which is 5.5 m across and at the end of the boardwalk.  Most visitors spend 1 - 1.5 hours on the trail.