NO reservation required; NO permit; NO quota applied. NO fee for camping.

Why this Godsend? Because the Nootka Trail is not yet an official hike.
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How much time is needed to hike the Nootka?

The norm is 5 nights on the Trail though 6 or 7 nights would be great — you could schedule rest day(s) for the 6th & 7th. We like to stop whenever the sun comes out!

It’s certainly possible to blast through in 4 nights / 5 days but you would feel rushed. John Harlin of Backpacker magazine must have been in a hurry — he did the Nootka in 3 nights / 4 days though he recommends 4 – 7 days for the rest of us.

The total length of the Nootka is (a deceptively short) 30+ km (about 20 miles) from Louie Bay to Friendly Cove. But your first and last days you’ll likely hike only an hour or two.

It’s wonderful to have extra time to explore beaches, isolated inlets & sea caves. Check our recommended routes.
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Is there any way to do the Nootka faster?

Sure. No doubt a trail runner could sprint the Trail in a day.

If you're short on time we’d recommend you hike just part of the Trail. Take the ferry to Friendly Cove, hike up the coast as far as time will allow, then backtrack to catch the ferry. Much of the most challenging & interesting Trail is close to Friendly Cove anyway — but, unfortunately, you probably won’t get as far as gorgeous First Beach.

If you choose to ferry in, since the ferry runs Wednesdays and Saturdays:

• arriving Wednesday and departing Saturday, you’d have 3 nights on the trail
• arriving Saturday and departing Wednesday, you’d have 4 nights on the trail

Details for those taking the ferry both to and from Nootka Island.
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