East Beach Trail, Naikoon Provincial Park,
Haida Gwaii, (Queen Charlotte Islands), British Columbia, Canada

East Beach Trail, Naikoon Provincial Park:

A west coast 89 km experience exploring the forests, wildlife and long sandy beaches lining the eastern coastline of Graham Island of the Haida Gwaii Islands Archipelago. There are also many smaller trails connecting to the East Beach Trail for day hikers like the Cape Fife Trail near Masset and the Pesuta Shipwreck Trail near Tlell. Both smaller routes are one-way trails and offer you a glimpse of the East Beach Trail experience.

The 3-6 days spent hiking along muddy trails, wooden bridges, climbing over deadfall trees, trekking along sandy and pebbled beaches provides lots of opportunity to discover spanning ocean views, historical shipwrecks and Haida Ancient Village Sites.

The East Beach Trail is a full wilderness experience. Trips can be filled with sun and yet, quickly turn to howling winds and rain. There is no services, cell phone reception nor pit toilets (except at trailheads) along the multi day route. There is some wilderness campsite areas and 3 wooden camping shelters found along the route.

All walkers, hikers and backpackers should be prepared for wet conditions and fast changing weather patterns. Most hike the East Beach Trail south to north to shield themselves from the, sometimes, heavy winds, bright sun and torrential rains. Proper equipment, attitude and planning are recommended.

Many backpackers use the Cape Fife Trail or the Pesuta Shipwreck Trail as the starting and ending points (north and south trailheads) to the 89 km East Beach Trail which runs from the Tlell River Bridge to Rose Point on the northeast tip of Graham Island, largest of the Haida Gwaii Islands.

The entire trail system falls within the 69,166 hectares Naikoon Provincial Park which includes part of the Hecate Depression.

How to Get to the East Beach Trail: (North Trailhead-Graham Island)

Drive north on Hwy 16 from Skidegate BC Ferry towards Masset Village. Continue driving north-east of Masset Village on the main hwy over the Sangan River into the Tow Hill Ecological Reserve area of the Naikoon Provincial Park. The paved road turns to gravel (Tow Hill Road). Continue straight ahead (30 min.) past Agate Beach Campground sign and the Tow Hill Parking Lot. On the other side of the bridge to your right is the small Cape Fife trailhead sign. Park here and start hiking. East Beach Trail via Cape Fife Trail (79 km)

How to Get to the East Beach Trail: (South Trailhead-Graham Island)

Drive north on Hwy 16 from Skidegate BC Ferry towards Tlell. Look for the Tlell River Provincial Park sign on your right after a bridge. Turn into here and park. The trailhead is to the left. There are interpretive signs and pit toilets. Park here and start hiking. East Beach Trail to Cape Fife Trail (79 km). East Beach Trail to Rose Point (89 km)