Trip 306 - May 6, 2024 (Monday)

Coastline Trail Hike

Ruckle Provincial Park

Salt Spring Island, BC

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Trailhead Location: Ruckle Provincial Park on Salt Spring Island, BC (near Southern Vancouver Island), approximately 10 km from Fulford Harbour ferry terminal via Fulford-Ganges Road and Beaver Point Road.

Liked: Several fine coastline/ocean views, fairly easy trail, shade in the forest, no bugs.

Of Note: Uneven ground, rocks and roots, several unbarricaded drop-offs, a few moderately steep sections – hiking poles and boots are recommended.

Vancouver Island, Victoria & Gulf Islands Backroad Mapbook (9th edition) Trailhead Coordinates: Page 11 (Duncan) G3.

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Coastline Trail is a fairly easy hike of about 5.3 km one way along the coast of Salt Spring Island. You get to see pretty coves, passing BC ferries, and ocean vistas while walking through a forest from one viewpoint to another. Ruckle Provincial Park has a few other trails, which go into the depth of the park away from the coast, so there are more hiking opportunities. As well, there is a campground for campers among us.

The drive from Fulford Harbour ferry terminal (service to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island) to Ruckle Provincial Park - Coastline Trail is just under 10 km-long one way, and is very easy. There is plenty of parking by the trailhead. Note that there are two other ferry terminals on Salt Spring Island, with service from other locations, so you will take a bit longer to get to the trailhead, if you arrive to this island via a different ferry terminal.

The trail starts about 70 meters from the parking lot and goes along Swanson Channel to Cusheon Cove. Keep making right turns at all the splits to stay close to the coast. There are trail maps with your current location at some junctions too.

* All hiking distances are based on a GPS odometer and are approximate.

0. Here are Google Map directions from Fulford Harbour to Ruckle Provincial Park.

1. We have disembarked from BC Ferry "Skeena Queen" at Fulford Harbour Terminal, drove for a few minutes on Ganges-Fulford Road, and are about to make a right turn onto Beaver Point Road.

Salt Spring Island Ganges-Fulford Road at Beaver Point Road

2. Entering Ruckle Provincial Park 8.6 km from Fulford Harbour Terminal.

Entrance to Ruckle Provincial Park on Salt Spring Island BC Canada

3. Passing by a working farm at 9.3 km.

Salt Spring Island

4. A view on the left 100 meters later.

A farm on Salt Spring Island BC

5. At 9.7 km, there is a split, with access to Ruckle Provincial Park campground on the right side, and trailhead parking being straight ahead.

Ruckle Provincial Park

6. A hundred meters later, the road ends at the parking lot for Coastline Trail. Coordinates: N 48⁰46.435' W 123⁰22.318'. Elevation: 20 meters.

Parking lot for Coastline Trail in Ruckle Provincial Park on Salt Spring Island BC

Here is our video of driving from Fulford Harbour ferry terminal to Ruckle Park.

More ihikebc videos are on our YouTube Channel.

7. An information board by the parking lot.

Ruckle Provincial Park Information Board

8-9. Information on the info board.

Ruckle Provincial Park Information

Things to do in Ruckle Provincial Park and Local Hazards

10. And here is a map of Ruckle Provincial Park. The red square indicates the parking lot / Coastline Trail trailhead, and the green square is where the trail ends 5.3 km later at Cusheon Cove. The trail itself can be seen following the coastline. Other park trails are shown as well.