Day 6: Rathtrevor Beach PP - Pacific Rim NP: Waterfalls & Endless Beaches

Day 6: Waterfalls & Rainforest.

Before we leave Rathtrevor Beach PP, we stop at the Day Use Area and might want to dip our toes in the water again. But we have miscalculated the tides, as the water is gone 🤷🏻‍♀️ Low tide!

We can hardly believe it - there is only sand left! It's just like at the North Sea 🤣

We walk quite a while toward the water and find crabs, crawfish, and shells along the way. However, we can't get to the water as it gets too muddy and wet - we are wearing shoes.

In the beautiful sunshine, we stroll back and stop at the next day's destination: the Englishman River Falls Provincial Park.

We walk the entire loop first to the Upper Falls, then back over the Lower Falls to the parking lot. There is also a campground in the park, which even has available spots.

Next, we head to the Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, where we also complete the loop and admire both (Upper & Lower) waterfalls. There's also a campground here.

The next stop should actually be Cathedral Cove, but the entire road including the few parking spaces is completely blocked, and there are no turning options - no chance!

We helplessly drive past and hope that we’ll find a spot when we come back this way in a few days.

At nearly 30 degrees, we stop at the parking lot of Cooms Country Candy. Across from the Alberny Hwy, there is said to be a path that leads through the woods to the 'Hole in the Wall.' We find the trail at a small parking nook with 3 vehicles and then reach a wide woodland road. I try to navigate with googlemaps, but we're lucky that many people come our way. So we just have to take the same path - and we made it! We reach the impressive 'Hole in the Wall.' While my husband and son must climb through the hole to explore the other side, I relax by the stream and cool my feet.

The way back is indeed a bit more strenuous at over 30 degrees, and we are really glad when we are back at the camper and can treat ourselves to a cold drink.

The next stop is the 'ice-cold' waters of Wally Creek 😜

The weather is so great that we don't hesitate and armed with our swimsuits, jump into the truly icy bathing pools. It is incredibly fun to let ourselves be swept over into the other pools via small water slides. An absolute blast! However, this is limited by the cold.

In the afternoon, we reach Pacific Rim National Park and settle into our campsite at Green Point Campground, directly in the national park. I had already made a campsite reservation after a nerve-wracking reservation marathon in January. With a lot of luck, I snagged Site 69, even a spot in the front row, and with a bit of imagination, you can also see the sea 😅

It’s only +14 degrees here as we explore the surroundings and enjoy the huge beach - a bit windy, but sooo nice. Memories of Olympic NP come flooding back!

Sheltered from the wind, we still sit back with a drink from the RV. Here too, it applies: Fire Ban - unfortunately, no warming campfire...

For the statistics:

Campground: Green Point Campground

28 €; Site 69

Distance traveled: 176 km

Hiked: 11 km

Photos: 314

Weather: sunny, up to 30 degrees