Juan de Fuca or Cape Scott Trail: Which One To Hike First?

I’ve hiked Juan de Fuca Trail and Cape Scott Trail on Vancouver Island and I put this guide together to help you decide between them.

If you’re debating which hike to choose, this comparison breaks down everything you need to know, including length, difficulty, elevation gain, camping, logistics and much more.

Which is Better, Juan de Fuca or Cape Scott Trail?

My personal favorite is the Cape Scott Trail for its remote wilderness and broad sandy beaches. That said, the Juan de Fuca Trail is more of a challenge, with ladders, suspension bridges and steeper climbs.

Juan de Fuca trail is also a better introduction to backcountry camping, since you can hike it in sections rather than committing to the full route. Cape Scott Trail, while generally less technical and less physically demanding, feels wilder and more remote.

So, if it’s your first coastal backpacking trip on Vancouver Island, I’d recommend choosing Juan de Fuca Trail.

Overview and Key Stats

Is Juan de Fuca more Difficult than Cape Scott Trail?

Juan de Fuca Trail is definitely more difficult than Cape Scott Trail. While both are coastal hikes, Juan de Fuca involves constant steep climbs, muddy sections, wooden bridges, ladders and rocky beaches. The elevation gain adds up quickly because of all the constant ups and downs. As you can imagine, carrying a heavy backpack doesn’t make it any easier.

On the other hand, Cape Scott Trail has very few steep sections compared to Juan de Fuca. The trail is largely flat, consisting of bog stretches through forest and extended beach walks on soft sand.

Landscape and Highlights

The landscapes on both Juan de Fuca Trail and Cape Scott Trail are incredible. While on Juan de Fuca you’ll have more cliffside views and waterfalls, such as at Mystic and Sombrio beach, Cape Scott Trail is more remote and allows for beach camping.

At Cape Scott, you can also visit the sea stacks at San Josef Bay at low tide, which is definitely worth a detour.

Both trails are home to abundant wildlife, so staying alert is essential. Black bear encounters are very common on both hikes, but more frequent on Cape Scott Trail. Additionally, you may also spot coastal sea wolves at Cape Scott trail.

Is it Easier to Reach Juan de Fuca or Cape Scott Trailhead?

Juan de Fuca is easier to access from Victoria or Vancouver. The drive to the trailhead is shorter, making it very doable on a long weekend trip. Also, if you want a shorter trip, there are multiple access and exit points along Juan de Fuca trail.

Cape Scott Trail, meanwhile, is very remote in the northern tip of Vancouver Island. The drive from Vancouver is much longer and, once you start hiking, there are no exit points along the way. Even though the trail itself is relatively flat, you need to commit to the full out-and-back hike or turn around back to the parking lot.

Trail Logistics: Access Points, Parking and Trail Type

Below is a comparison of the Juan de Fuca Trail and Cape Scott Trail, focusing on access points, parking and trail type.

Juan de Fuca Trail

Juan de Fuca trail is a point-to-point coastal backpacking route with multiple access points along the Highway. The main trailheads are China Beach, Sombrio Beach, Parkinson Creek and Botanical Beach.

For the full 47 km experience, I recommend starting at China Beach and finishing at Botanical Beach. Each of the main trailheads has a relatively large parking lot, making access and logistics pretty easy.

Cape Scott Trail

On the other hand, Cape Scott trail is an out-and-back backpacking route. This makes it easier for logistics, as you’ll come back to the same trailhead. Getting to the trailhead involves a longer drive from Port Hardy, partly on gravel road.

Some hikers choose to arrange a water taxi to begin from the beach, though this option is less common. For a longer coastal hike on Vancouver Island, you can continue on the North Coast Trail.

Permits and Fees

Both Juan de Fuca and Cape Scott trail do not need a reservation, but for overnight stays you’re required to get a BC Parks backcountry camping registration. You can either book the permit up to 2 weeks before your arrival online or you can pay cash at the trailheads.

The backcountry camping permit costs $10 per person/night and is the only fee charged on both trails.

Juan de Fuca Trail is best for…

• Getting easier access to the trailhead from Victoria or Vancouver
• Easier and shorter alternative to the West Coast Trail in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
• A classic West Coast backpacking trip
• Can hike just a few sections and exit at one of the trailheads instead of hiking the full 47 km
• Less remote so you’ll always meet other hikers during the day
• A challenging backpacking trip to push yourself, which involves mud, roots and ladders

Cape Scott Trail is best for…

• Remote backpacking trip with fewer crowds
• Beach camping in front of the Pacific Ocean
• Hike in and hike out the same way back to the parking lot
• Great if you like setting up camp and explore neighboring beaches from there
• Sandy beaches ideal for spotting wildlife, such as black bears and sea wolves
• Almost no elevation gain or technical sections
• Longer drive to get to the trailhead but easier to hike

Final Thoughts

I personally love both Juan de Fuca and Cape Scott trail. But if you have to choose, this is my advise to you.

Hike Juan de Fuca Trail if you’re looking for a backpacking trip close to Vancouver or Victoria. Also, this hike is a great option if you’re just getting into backcountry camping and want a moderately challenging coastal hike with relatively easy access.

Hike Cape Scott Trail if you’re looking for a more remote but relaxing experience. Make sure you have at least 4 days in total, as the drive to the trailhead takes time and you’ll want enough days to fully enjoy the trip.

Do you prefer a day hike that is equally scenic? Check out 5040 Peak on Vancouver Island.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to leave a comment below.