Off the beaten path on Vancouver Island, lies the Koksilah Ancient Forest. About 7km west of Shawnigan Lake, you will find a small grove of old growth Douglas firs still standing along the Koksilah River. If you’re looking to get away from the busier Cathedral Grove and Avatar Grove, then this trip is a must. The trees here are up to 800 years old – sadly though, the ancient growths are still not protected and is surrounded by active logging. Here is a detailed guide to find and hike to Koksilah Ancient Forest.
At a glance:
Length: 1.85 km (one way)
Time: 45 min (one way)
Difficulty: Easy
The trail:
Keep your eyes peeled for blue tape on the trail. The start of the trail is an old wide motorbike trail, and begins at the dug up portion on the side of the road. Ignore all of the side trails off of this trail at the beginning. At about 500m along the old motorbike trail, take the right branch.
Further along the trail there is another right fork you must take. This trail is easy to miss! When we did it there was no blue tape to mark it. If you miss this trail you will continue up a long hill. The trail narrows a lot here, and looks overgrown with ferns at the beginning, but it is well maintained.
Keep following the blue tape. 
Trail leading into the grove.
Keep following this trail to the grove, the trail is in good condition and easy to follow. Near the river you will reach the Ancient Forest. The old growth giants are impossible to miss. To learn more about this grove of giants and more in BC, visit the Ancient Forest Alliance website – a group of people trying to protect these disappearing forests.
You can continue along the trail to the river edge. There is a small trail to the right that takes you along the river to a great picnic spot on the riverbed.
Trail along river edge 
Koksilah River
How to get there:
Turn off of Highway 1 at Shawnigan/Mill Bay Rd. Follow this road to Shawnigan Lake, turning right onto Shawnigan Lake Rd. Renfrew Rd (logging road) gives access to Koksilah Provincial Park, which is past the Kinsol Trestle. The gravel road is in good shape and 4WD is not required (although recommended). Drive on Kapoor Main past the large parking area on the right at Koksilah Provincial Park. Go up Kapoor Hill – just before the 8 km marker along Kapoor Main is where you park for the Ancient Forest Trail. You’ll see a dug up portion on the right to keep motorbikes out.
Other stops nearby:
Waterfall by Sunny Daze Campground
Visible from the road, this waterfall is on your way towards Koksilah Ancient Forest, just past Sunny Daze Campground (about 4km past Koksilah Provincial Park). It’s right after the small bridge on your left, can’t miss it!
Kinsol Trestle
A popular tourist destination, but worth the stop. The trestle is one of the tallest free-standing timber rail trestles in the world. You can walk across it over the Koksilah River, or take many one of the many trails down below.
Koksilah Provincial Park
The trails in Koksilah Park are endless, there are plenty to choose from, one even leads to the Kinsol Trestle. There are many access points to the different trails in the park, one includes the large parking lot and park sign on your way to the Ancient Forest
Hopefully the hike to Koksilah Ancient Forest will still be around for years to come, and become protected from logging. Looking for more old growths on Vancouver Island to explore? Definitely don’t miss hiking in Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park! There are also plenty of other trails to explore in Ucluelet or the Pacific Rim National Park.
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