Background

Vancouver Island is a recreational paradise. It offers endless opportunities for those who seek wilderness, skiing, camping, scenery and fishing. Linear trails - like the Spine - provide recreation corridors for locals and tourists alike. However, where no access is provided, the terrain is unforgiving, or timber has been harvested, traversing the ground is very difficult.

Those obstacles are minimized by building simple trails. For hikers, climbers, cyclists and equestrians, the attractions become obvious. The evidence is in the success of several Island trails: Juan de Fuca Trail, West Coast Trail, Elk River Trail, Mount Albert Edwards Trail (Forbidden Plateau), Cape Scott and the North Coast Trail.

Several modern visionaries have sought to create a long-distance Island route that provides a sustained challenge to hikers, cyclists and equestrians.

- In 1996, Philip Stone explored and authored the "Backbone Route" from Port Alberni to Port McNeill. While this penetrated most of the rugged mountains of the Island, it was more a route than a trail, as it was geared to mountaineers and hikers with strong route-finding skills. Much of the route was at high elevation, and heavy snow cover made it inaccessible except in the summer.

- In 2001, the Vancouver Island Recreational Corridor was promoted. This conceived a multi-use series of 4 trails running parallel, for hiking, cycling, horses and small motorized vehicles, each section beginning and ending at a joint “camp.” That proposal is challenged by the needs for privacy of separate user groups.

Hikers in Forbidden Plateau, Strathcona Park

The Vancouver Island Spine concept seeks to utilize the best of these ideas, and to build the trail by the earliest possible date. By constructing a single trail, through backcountry but near to villages and towns, the Spine will attract local recreational users and tourists. The Spine will follow existing trails wherever possible, and promises to open up new trails on the north Island.

The construction of the Spine is an attractive project in this period of low demand for the Province’s timber, and the ready availability of skilled outdoor workers. The promotion of the Spine will bring tourism and local recreation dollars to communities that are currently searching for ways to diversify their economies. The Spine concept complies with the Trails Strategy of BC, developed by the BC Government.