Highway 4 connects the east and west coast of Vancouver Island. From Victoria or Nanaimo travel north on Highway 19 to join Highway 4 or from Campbell River go south on Highway 19 to join Highway 4. Turn toward Port Alberni on Highway 4. In less than 3 km you will come to a stoplight where Highway 4 and Highway 4A connect. BE SURE TO SET YOUR ODOMETER TO ZERO as you pass under this light.

At 19 km is the start of MacMillan Provincial Park Cathedral Grove, one of the last stands of virgin forest in North America. The trees here are HUGE and some are thousands of years old. Some were young when the Magna Carta was signed and fully grown when Columbus crossed the Atlantic. An impressive place and definitely worth a stop. During a storm on New Years Eve in 1996/7 more than half these giant trees were blown down or broken off by winds that were estimated to be more than 200 km per hour. Try to imagine the fury of the moment and the noise!

Coming down the long hill into Port Alberni you reach a T-intersection as the road ends at what appears to be a river but is actually a salt water inlet. Turn right following the signs to Ucluelet and Tofino.

Immediately as you head west on Highway 4 you will pass a small marina on the left. It is thought provoking to know this marina and the entire Port Alberni waterfront was wiped out in the Tsunami following the 1964 Alaska earthquake. In spite of being miles from the open sea the water funneled through the narrowing channel ending in devastation along the little town’s waterfront.

Just past the marina but on the right side is a Petro Canada Gas Centre with snacks and wonderful clean washrooms. Also a place where you should again SET YOUR ODOMETER BACK TO ZERO.

At 15.3 km on the left you will catch your first glimpse of Sproat Lake. If traveling between March and November keep an eye out for black bears. They are often seen feeding on berries in the cleared areas on either side of the highway. They’re hard to spot but are VERY black. Also look for cars parked along the road where you would not expect them, They may be watching a bear. Around 27 km you will start to see fire damage from the late 1960’s when the road was under construction and a cook fire at campsite got out of control burning 25 square miles of timber. These bare trees will be visible for the next 10 km.

At approximately 44 km as you go over Sutton Pass you are about half way to the coast. By now the drive should be exceptionally beautiful. Watch out for signs about Pullouts along the way. There are very few passing areas so please be courteous and pull out to allow faster traffic to pass you as you enjoy your leisurely drive.

At approximately 44 km as you go over Sutton Pass you are about half way to the coast. By now the drive should be exceptionally beautiful. Watch out for signs about Pullouts along the way. There are very few passing areas so please be courteous and pull out to allow faster traffic to pass you as you enjoy your leisurely drive. At 52.8 km on the right side comes a spot where folks enjoy stopping to watch the river. It is spectacular but a better one awaits you just around the corner. You can park at the side of the road at 53.5 km and walk a few feet to the even more spectacular view or drive by it and park at 53.6 km and walk back. At 65.6 you get your first view of Kennedy Lake on the right side. Some folks enjoy a photo or picnic lunch stop at 67.6 km on the edge of Upper Kennedy Lake. From here the mountains will gradually disappear. The views are still spectacular but there are very few places to stop for the next few kilometers.

On the right side of the highway at 79.0 km there is another pull out on the edge of Kennedy Lake if you want to stretch your legs and take some photos. Just beyond that at 79.8 km on the right side is a small road that leads to Kennedy Lake Provincial Park…. a very small area but it is very private and off the busy highway.

At 89.9 km you will be at the West Coast Junction and the Pacific Rim Visitor Information Centre. Turn left and drive through the village of Ucluelet. Go past the 2 schools on the right side and at 98.5 km turn RIGHT on to Marine Drive and go a half kilometer to the Inn. We are hidden behind the trees on the left side of the road. At 99.0 km you will see our sign and turn left into our driveway. Our street address is 460 Marine Drive, we will be there to greet you.