Did you know that the Trans Canada Trail passes right through Halfmoon Bay? According to the online Trans Canada Trail map, the Land Trail finishes at the passenger waiting lounge at the BC Ferries terminal at Horseshoe Bay. The trail continues as a Water Trail around the north shores of Bowen and Keats Islands before following the Sunshine Coast shoreline from Gibsons Harbour, past, Roberts Creek, Sechelt and all the way to the north shore of Halfmoon Bay. The Water Trail crosses Welcome Passage to near Pebbly Beach, beneath Spyglass Hill on South Thormanby, passes Epsom Point on North Thormanby, then Texada, Jedediah, Lasqueti, Sangster, Ballenas Islands, finally making landfall at Clover Point, near Dallas Road on the south side of Victoria.
The website suggests that most nights you will be “…camping on beaches, picnicking and exploring the Gulf Islands at your own pace” and that you will be kayaking to complete this itinerary – try taking a kayak into the passenger lounge at the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal – although, I’m sure the thought is that you should “put in” closer to the shore! The Trans Canada Trail website also suggests allowing at least five days for just the Gabriola to Saltspring Islands section of the trip. This is obviously not a trip for the faint hearted but would perhaps better be tackled in easier-to-manage sections.
Good luck!
Peter Hews, March, 2022
