Sunshine Coast Trail Hike from Sarah Point for 5 km

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Sunshine Coast Trail is a monumental 180 km-long wilderness hike on Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. It stretches from near Lund, BC (the northern trailhead) to Saltery Bay Ferry Terminal South of Powell River, BC. Logistically, it is easier to hike this trail North to South, as the northern end is fairly difficult to get to, whereas the southern end is right by the ferry terminal. So, quite a few people, if they choose to hike the entire Sunshine Coast Trail at once, get a shuttle (in a 4x4 SUV) from Powell River to Sarah Point Hut, and then hike to Saltery Bay, where they can catch a ferry right after finishing their hike.

Sunshine Coast Trail is Sunshine Coast's answer to Vancouver Island's Juan De Fuca Trail (here is our trip report), with one substantial difference - Sunshine Coast Trail is four times longer. Other than that, it's the same general concept - easy to moderately difficult hiking through the woods with ocean views here and there, and with numerous camping opportunities (overnight stays require paying a small fee). And there is also a possibility of doing several day hikes, as opposed to hiking the whole thing, as there are numerous access roads to various parts of the trail. And that is exactly what we did today - hiked for just over 5 km from Sarah Point Hut, which is the northern end of Sunshine Coast Trail.

To get from Lund to Sarah Point Hut, you need to go via Finn Bay Road - Baggi Road - Sarah Point Road - Malaspina FSR for a total of 15.2 km. The last 3 km or so is for 4x4 vehicles only due to steep grades with loose surface. Up until that point, 2WD vehicles with regular clearance would be sufficient.

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

64. A very short spur to Desolation Bluffs with an overgrown viewpoint is at 1.90 km of Sunshine Coast Trail near Lund, British Columbia, Canada.

65. At 2.79 km, we have reached Feather Cove campground, which is also a part of Malaspina Provincial Park.

66-68. The maps of the place.

69-70. Entering Feather Cove.

71-73. Fine views. Plain and zoomed.

74. Moving on, Sunshine Coast Trail southbound at 2.83 km from Sarah Point Hut trailhead.

75. At 2.95 km.

76. Now at the 4.15 km mark. Easy forest hiking.

77. A small bridge at 4.67 km.

78. At 5.18 km was the furthest we went.

79. We then went 150 meters back. The access road we used to get to the trailhead was only 200 meters away, so we decided not to hike to the next normal connector, but just go through all that stuff ahead. Doesn't look so bad here, does it?

80. Alas, it was easy going only for the first 100 meters, and then...

81...we hit quite an obstacle in the form of thorny branches. Good thing we had rain paints and a rain coat, otherwise a major ouch would have been unavoidable.

82. It was a tough go, so we definitely do NOT recommend using this shortcut. If you are doing this as a day hike, proceed to the next connector or return the same way you came.

83. Almost there.

84. And here is the access road again. From here, it was an easy hike back to our vehicle.