West Coast Trail App: Overview & Review of the New App
The new West Coast Trail app has recently been launched, and here is everything you need to know about it!
I hiked the West Coast Trail in 2021 and, in preparation, I spent a lot of time doing research to understand the route, distances, challenges and tides. While I managed to find all the information I needed, planning my hike was a complicated process. So I was really excited to hear that a West Coast Trail app had recently been launched, to simplify this process!
I recently spent some time testing the new app, to see how it can enhance the West Coast Trail experience. And, to help you decide if the app is worth it, here is everything you need to know about it, as well as my thoughts after trialing the app.
West Coast Trail App Overview
Planning for the West Coast Trail is typically much more complicated than planning for other hikes. The trail comprises a range of unique attributes like ladders, cable cars, ferry crossings, beach hiking, surge channels and more, which must all be taken into account when preparing for and navigating the hike.
Unlike other hiking apps which are centred around trail maps and reviews, the West Coast Trail app aims to be a one-stop-shop for information specific to the West Coast Trail’s unique features. It provides users with everything from maps and trail descriptions, to navigation assistance, water sources, campsite information, points of interest, and real-time updates such as passable tides, trail conditions and weather.
The first prototype of the app was originally a web-based version that was launched in May 2023 by Brett Marl. Although the original app was much more basic than the current version, it still had over 5000 downloads! And it was used by many West Coast Trail hikers throughout the 2023 season.
Thanks to the feedback of its users, the program has since undergone a major rewrite, resulting in the new native application, which is now ready to download and use.
Not only does the new app provide technical trail information, but it also contains navigation tips, points of interest, up-to-date trail conditions, and information about the trail’s history. This is largely thanks to a collaboration with Lance McNichol, who is one of the Lighthouse Keeper’s on the trail and a true West Coast Trail expert!
Honouring First Nations
The West Coast Trail is within the traditional territories of the Pacheedaht, Huu-ay-aht and Ditidaht First Nations.
To recognize the historic and cultural significance of this land, the app includes some fascinating First Nations stories at certain points along the trail, as well as translations of the trail’s place names in First Nations languages.
Moving forward, the app will aim to continue incorporating more of the local First Nations history and culture within its resources.
In particular, one feature which is currently being added to the app is audio clips of the correct pronunciation of the First Nations names. So far, there are clips of the Ditidaht First Nation names, provided by the Edgar family who run the Crab Shack. And the hope is that clips from the Pacheedaht and Huu-ay-aht First Nations will also be added in the future.
How Much Does the App Cost?
The West Coast Trail app has three different plans: Free, Plus, and Pro.
The Free plan is free to use when connected to data or Wi-Fi and offers you all the tools you need to plan your West Coast Trail hike.
However, if you’re looking to use the app on the trail, you should consider upgrading to one of the premium plans. Although keep in mind, you may still be able to access the Free plan at certain sections of the hike. But access to phone signal on the trail is limited and unreliable for most carriers.
The Plus plan has offline capability, allowing you to access trail maps, tide tables and other information without an internet connection. And the Pro plan adds GPS on top of this, so you can track your exact location on the map and access more precise weather forecasts.
Both plans are sold as yearly subscriptions and are priced very reasonably. The Plus plan is $19.99 per year, and the Pro plan is $29.99 per year.
How to Use the App
Here is what you need to know to get started with the West Coast Trail App.
Download the App
The West Coast Trail app is now available to download in both the Google Play store and Apple App Store.
You can search for “West Coast Trail” in your phone’s app store to find it, and then download and use it for free ahead of your hike.
If you want to upgrade to access the app during your hike by upgrading to a premium plan, you can click ‘upgrade’ in the app’s menu bar to subscribe to the Plus or Pro plan.
Build Your Trip
When you first open the app, you will be prompted to enter your start date, entry and exit points, number of nights on the trail, and preferred campsites. This will then generate a tailored itinerary with information specific to when you will be on the trail, and the direction you’ll be hiking in.
And if you’re not entirely sure what the best itinerary is, the app can also give you suggestions!
Trail View
Once you’ve entered the details of your hike and the app has generated your itinerary, it will show up under Trail view, broken down section-by-section.
You can then click into each section to see a simplified version of the Parks Canada map and detailed information about what to expect on that segment of the hike.
This includes a description of the trail section, any relevant tide restrictions and their passable times, the location of water sources, highlights and shipwrecks to look out for, details of any ladders, cable cars and ferry crossings, daylight times, section distances, and campsites.
Plus, the map is interactive, so you can click the icons on it for more information about certain points. And, if you prefer to use a more detailed map, you can also click the layers button to switch to the original Parks Canada map.
Key Features
Trip Summary
While the Trail view page gives you a detailed overview of each leg of the hike, the Trip Summary page shows a condensed day-by-day summary of your hike. This includes the key information you need to envisage your trip from start to finish.
By looking at this, you can quickly tell which days have tide restrictions to plan around. And you can quickly estimate how difficult each day might be, based on the distance covered and number of ladders up and down.
Tide Restrictions
One of the key features of the West Coast Trail app is its tide information.
There are certain beach sections of the trail which can only be passed at certain tide heights. Previously, hikers would have to rely on printed tide tables and calculate the passable times manually.
However, the app now does the math for you, showing the exact passable times, based on the Tofino tide tables.
Trail Conditions
The app has a trail conditions tab which provides up-to-date safety and trail information. You can expect to find updates here on everything from weather warnings and the state of river crossings to bear sightings, wasps nests, and untamed or damaged sections of trail.
Trail updates are monitored and provided by the lighthouse keepers at the Pachena Point lighthouse. So, you can rest assured that the information is as up-to-date as possible!
Weather Forecasts
The weather on the west coast is unpredictable and can vary a lot across the 75-kilometre trail. To keep you as up-to-date as possible, the app has a built-in weather feature. With the Pro plan, this feature uses GPS to generate the most precise forecasts for your specific location on the trail.
Guide Book
The West Coast Trail app also features a guidebook section, which has a range of useful information to help you on trail, and when planning your trip.
This includes a list of useful contacts, and information about ferries, orientation, getting to and from the trail, campsites, and navigating Owen Point (which is one of the most challenging sections of the trail).
Emergency Assistance
The guide book section also includes an emergency assistance feature, whereby you can dial the Parks Canada emergency number directly from the app. And, using GPS, the app will show your exact location to the emergency team, saving you valuable time in an emergency and facilitating rescue efforts.
If you’re using one of the offline versions of the app on the trail, rather than the Pro Plan with GPS, you will still be able to access a GPS locate button under the emergency assistance feature. However, it will show you a set of coordinates which you can relay to the response team, instead of showing them your exact location on the map.
My Thoughts of the New App
Out of all the different hiking apps I’ve used, like AllTrails and Hiker, the West Coast Trail app is by far the most comprehensive.
If you’re reading this review, you probably already know that the West Coast Trail is one of the most difficult hikes to prepare for. With so many factors to consider at each stage of the trek, the planning process can be quite overwhelming. And, even if you are well-prepared, the trail can be unpredictable. This means that you may have to adjust your itinerary as you go.
In previous years, planning for the hike would require you to manually gather information from Parks Canada, blog posts, Facebook groups, guide books, and other resources like tide tables. Then you would need to make sense of it all by putting together your own itinerary, calculating the tides, and factoring in daylight hours, obstacles, estimated hike times, and more.
This is where the new app is really useful. It does half the work for you by helping to prepare your itinerary and providing all the key information you will need to navigate each section of the trail.
Overall, I think this is a fantastic app! Every little detail has been thought of to simplify the planning process and ensure you can easily access the most important information during your hike. But this doesn’t mean I think the app should replace all other West Coast Trail resources.
The app is best used alongside other resources
In preparing for your hike, it’s still important to do your research and consider information from various resources. Reading about other hikers’ experiences on the trail will give you a full picture of what to expect. And specific resources, like packing lists, are still important tools to use, to ensure you’re properly prepared for your hike.
Plus, you should always carry a physical copy of the trail map and tide tables on the trail (which you will receive during your orientation). These are important to have as a backup, in case your phone runs out of battery or you damage it on the trail and can no longer access the app.
But in combination with these other resources, I think the new app is an excellent tool which will change the way hikers prepare for and navigate the trail moving forward. And, it’s definitely something I will be using next time I hike the West Coast Trail!
It’s worth upgrading to a premium subscription
From my previous experience on the trail, the biggest advantage I think the app offers is its on-trail capabilities, especially through the Pro plan.
Having access to up-to-date, detailed information about the trail, campsites, weather, tides and more, will definitely improve the overall hiking experience. And GPS tracking will make it easier to navigate, estimate hike times and stay safe on the trail.
The fee to upgrade to the Pro subscription is very affordable. And, in my opinion, being able to access these premium features on the trail makes it well worth the price.
Final Thoughts – West Coast Trail App
The new West Coast Trail app is a fantastic tool to enhance the overall West Coast Trail experience. Not only will it help to simplify the planning process, but it will also make navigating the trail much easier, ensuring you get the most out of your hike.
I would highly recommend trying the new app. And I look forward to using it myself next time I hike the West Coast Trail!
Download the app now on Google Play, or on the Apple App Store.
READ MORE
West Coast Trail Packing List, How To Pack & What NOT To Bring
How To Get West Coast Trail Reservations
West Coast Trail In Canada: The Ultimate Hiking Guide
Ferry To Nanaimo: Schedule, Price & ALL You Need To Know
21 Best Things To Do On Vancouver Island: Unique & Fun Experiences
