Hiking the Ripple Rock Trail

By Keith and Heather Nicol

Trailhead map

       The Ripple Rock trail has been on our “to do” list for quite some time and so when our daughter Kristie and her boyfriend Eric came to visit for a few days we decided that this would be a good time to check it out.  The weather on Sunday, July 28 was forecast to be sunny and warm but we figured from the description in our guide book  “Popular day hikes – Vancouver Island” that it would be mainly through the trees which would provide some shade.  Seymour Narrows was the site of one of the largest non nuclear peacetime explosions and it was set off in 1958 to remove the infamous Ripple Rock which was a hazard to shipping.  Due to the strong currents in this area, navigating around Ripple Rock had long been a seafaring hazard and had caused numerous shipwrecks and cost over 100 people their lives! 

Kristie taking a picture at Menzies Bay

   The trail starts roughly 12 km north of Campbell River on Highway 19 and the trailhead is well signposted.  The parking lot is on the right (if you are  driving north) and has parking for 16-20 cars. The coordinates are 50.08.256 N 125 24.174 W. The trail starts off easy and after about 1.34 km there is a viewpoint of Menzies Bay which is worth checking out. Then you cross a metal bridge and the trail passes by a couple of huge Sitka spruce. Next the real climbing starts and the trail becomes noticeably rougher. There are a few viewpoints enroute at about 1.9 km and at 2.5 km (with a picnic table) and these are offer a chance to get an elevated view of Menzies Bay.  The trail winds along paralleling the coastline and you get frequent ocean glimpses as you trek along which is a real bonus. 

Krisitie and Eric enjoying the view of Seymour Narrows from the bluffs - Quadra Island is behind

     The trail drops down to the ocean at Nymphe Cove (3.7 km) and then it is a steep climb for roughly 700 meters to the bluffs overlooking Ripple Rock.  With the addition of walking to the various viewpoints my GPS showed a total of 4.4 km and the return trip (without viewpoints) showed a distance of 4.1 km (allow 3-4 hours to do the return hike).  We had lunch overlooking Ripple Rock and the north wind was welcome to cool us off.   We recommend this hike since it is not that long but has many scenic coastal views.  Also the whirlpools and upwellings in Seymour Narrows are impressive particularly when the tides are right. Be aware that the trail can be muddy after a rain so it is a hike that is best done in dry conditions. We also saw several families with children so it is trek that would appeal to a wide range of hikers. See you on the trails!