3. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia
Near the resort town of Tofino, on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island lies Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, stretching along the shores of the Pacific Ocean. If you want to be awed — and perhaps a little humbled — by Mother Nature, this is a national park you won’t want to miss.
The weather in Pacific Rim National Park can be summed up in one word: wet. It rains a lot, but this helps keep the old-growth forests green and rich. Summers are beautiful, but each winter brings wild storms, causing huge waves that draw experienced surfers willing to brave the cold (even in the summer months, dry suits are needed to withstand the cold ocean water).
The park is home to some lovely hiking trails. One of the most legendary multi-day hikes in Canada is located in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve: the 75-kilometer West Coast Trail, a backcountry trek that winds through footpaths originally established by the First Nations peoples that was later used by survivors of shipwrecks attempting to navigate their way back to safety. Reservations are needed if you want to give this challenging — but highly rewarding — hike a go.