West Coast Trail – Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
The West Coast Trail is a world-famous backpacking expedition along Vancouver Island’s coastline. Follow the footsteps of shipwrecked sailors and explore the Graveyard of the Pacific!
Read More West Coast Trail – Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
North Coast Trail – Cape Scott Provincial Park
The North Coast Trail is a remote backpacking trip in Cape Scott Park. Hike with whales, bears, and wolves in a vibrant marine ecosystem!
Absolutely amazing experience on the WCT! Mike with MB Guiding sets you up for success months before the trip starts and his positivity and knowledge makes the experience during the hike phenomenal and an experience of a lifetime! Just book the trip and you will never regret it!
The quick version here is that you should definitely book a trip with MB Guiding.
The longer version is I’ve just returned from a 5 day trip on the North Coast Trail and Cape Scott Trail and had the time of my life. Soon after booking i was flooded with a very well organized series of systems and scheduling that prepared, educated, and provided a wealth of knowledge to the group, as well as allowing us to get to know each other months before the trip itself.
From the second the trip started until those last steps of the trail I had such an amazing time filled with laughs, tough terrain, wildlife, scenery, and a guided experience that was just the right level that left me still feeling a true sense of accomplishment.
Mike is the man, friendly, funny, always positive, and outrageously knowledgable and prepared for any eventuality. I cant recommend MB Guiding enough and wouldn’t for a moment hesitate to book another trip in the future.
The longer version is I’ve just returned from a 5 day trip on the North Coast Trail and Cape Scott Trail and had the time of my life. Soon after booking i was flooded with a very well organized series of systems and scheduling that prepared, educated, and provided a wealth of knowledge to the group, as well as allowing us to get to know each other months before the trip itself.
From the second the trip started until those last steps of the trail I had such an amazing time filled with laughs, tough terrain, wildlife, scenery, and a guided experience that was just the right level that left me still feeling a true sense of accomplishment.
Mike is the man, friendly, funny, always positive, and outrageously knowledgable and prepared for any eventuality. I cant recommend MB Guiding enough and wouldn’t for a moment hesitate to book another trip in the future.
I recently had the incredible experience of hiking the West Coast Trail from June 13–20 with Mike Blake as my guide, and it is safe to say it was one of the most memorable adventures of my life.
From the very start, Mike's knowledge and expertise were evident. The West Coast Trail is a demanding and technically challenging route, and having Mike lead the way made all the difference. He was exceptionally well-prepared, ensured our safety at every stage of the journey, and clearly knows this trail inside and out. His experience gave our group complete confidence, even through the more difficult sections.
What truly set this experience apart, however, was the atmosphere Mike created throughout the entire trip. He was engaging, personable, and genuinely passionate about the trail and the natural beauty surrounding it. Every day felt like an adventure, and Mike's enthusiasm was absolutely contagious.
Whether you are an experienced hiker or someone looking to push yourself for the first time, I cannot recommend Mike Blake Hiking Services highly enough. If you are considering tackling the West Coast Trail, do yourself a favour and go with Mike — you will not regret it.
From the very start, Mike's knowledge and expertise were evident. The West Coast Trail is a demanding and technically challenging route, and having Mike lead the way made all the difference. He was exceptionally well-prepared, ensured our safety at every stage of the journey, and clearly knows this trail inside and out. His experience gave our group complete confidence, even through the more difficult sections.
What truly set this experience apart, however, was the atmosphere Mike created throughout the entire trip. He was engaging, personable, and genuinely passionate about the trail and the natural beauty surrounding it. Every day felt like an adventure, and Mike's enthusiasm was absolutely contagious.
Whether you are an experienced hiker or someone looking to push yourself for the first time, I cannot recommend Mike Blake Hiking Services highly enough. If you are considering tackling the West Coast Trail, do yourself a favour and go with Mike — you will not regret it.
Well what can I say! Mike at MB Guiding just helped me fulfill a 10 year dream of hiking the West Coast Trail! What an experience, certainly the trip of a lifetime.
I cannot express how thankful I am I found MB Guiding to guide me through the preparations and the actual hike.
Mike our guide was a legend. The moment I booked the trip with him he offered endless information about how to prepare, what to bring, weather updates, training, food etc etc.
We had numerous zoom calls months before the hike where Mike answered any questions / concerns I had.
The hike itself was tough but Mike made everyday enjoyable with his positive attitude, trail knowledge and all his laughs.
I would 100% recommend using MB Guiding for any multi-day hike without any hesitation. I will be booking with them in the future for sure.
Thank you again Mike. You ROCK 😎
I cannot express how thankful I am I found MB Guiding to guide me through the preparations and the actual hike.
Mike our guide was a legend. The moment I booked the trip with him he offered endless information about how to prepare, what to bring, weather updates, training, food etc etc.
We had numerous zoom calls months before the hike where Mike answered any questions / concerns I had.
The hike itself was tough but Mike made everyday enjoyable with his positive attitude, trail knowledge and all his laughs.
I would 100% recommend using MB Guiding for any multi-day hike without any hesitation. I will be booking with them in the future for sure.
Thank you again Mike. You ROCK 😎
Absolutely outstanding adventure hiking the West Coast Trail with Mike from MB Guiding. From the moment I booked the hike Mike has offered so much advice on how to train, what gear is best to pack, what food to bring etc etc.
On the actual hike itself Mike was so knowledgeable giving us information on the history of the trail, best water sources to use, best hiking techniques.
Mike showed up every day smiling and laughing which made the longer days so much easier with his positive outlook.
I would absolutely recommend MB Guiding 100% if you are thinking of hiking with a guide.
I will be booking again with Mike in the future 😊
On the actual hike itself Mike was so knowledgeable giving us information on the history of the trail, best water sources to use, best hiking techniques.
Mike showed up every day smiling and laughing which made the longer days so much easier with his positive outlook.
I would absolutely recommend MB Guiding 100% if you are thinking of hiking with a guide.
I will be booking again with Mike in the future 😊
Mike is a fun and knowledgeable instructor and guide! I really enjoyed taking his wilderness navigation workshop 1 and 2. I look forward to applying my knowledge in the field and highly recommend any outdoor enthusiast to take these courses through MB Guiding.
I hiked the North Coast Trail this June with Mike Blake from MBguiding, and it was phenomenal. Mike was incredibly informed and prepared—he provided detailed pre-trip info and a super helpful gear list.
He shared awesome stories along the way that made each stretch of the trail more fun and meaningful, and his upbeat vibe kept everyone energized—even when the trail got tough.
He captured amazing photos and videos, and provided very detailed post trip reports. His focus on safety was top-notch.
If you’re considering the NCT, I can’t recommend MBguiding enough. Mike made it an unforgettable adventure!
He shared awesome stories along the way that made each stretch of the trail more fun and meaningful, and his upbeat vibe kept everyone energized—even when the trail got tough.
He captured amazing photos and videos, and provided very detailed post trip reports. His focus on safety was top-notch.
If you’re considering the NCT, I can’t recommend MBguiding enough. Mike made it an unforgettable adventure!
Another great trip with Mike Blake @MBGuiding. Mike is so prepared and organized, he knows his local culture and history of the area, He knows all the secret ins and outs, He knows when you can or shouldn't go. Always learning from Mike. If you are thinking of joining Mike on a trip, just do it, you won't be disappointed. He helps you organize and plan for success, yet lets you be your self.
We spent 5 superb days on the North Coast Trail and in Cape Scott Provincial Park with our guide, Mike Blake. This was my third hike with Mike, and every time I have learned something new, to enhance my skills and the enjoyment of the experience. Apart from being a fun person to hike with, Mike is a superbly professional guide, with decades of experience. He knows the trails, and the hazards along the route. He also knows the best places to stop, rest, and enjoy the view, as well as the very best spots to camp. This year we enjoyed a special treat, as a magnificent wolf walked along the beach towards us, while we stood in silent awe.
As an experienced guide, Mike makes trip planning and preparation part of the experience, starting months before the trip. He can also make changes to the itinerary at very short notice when weather or trail conditions dictate. Last year, our departure to Nootka Island was delayed for 24 hr by a storm. While we sat and drank coffee, watching the waves outside, Mike made all the changes to the itinerary and found us all places to stay for an extra night before our rescheduled departure. I have confidence in Mike’s ability to deal with any untoward events such as injuries or broken equipment on the trail.
If you want to hike on Vancouver Island but you’re not sure you have the experience or skills to organize a trip, I can whole-heatedly recommend Mike Blake of MB Guiding!
As an experienced guide, Mike makes trip planning and preparation part of the experience, starting months before the trip. He can also make changes to the itinerary at very short notice when weather or trail conditions dictate. Last year, our departure to Nootka Island was delayed for 24 hr by a storm. While we sat and drank coffee, watching the waves outside, Mike made all the changes to the itinerary and found us all places to stay for an extra night before our rescheduled departure. I have confidence in Mike’s ability to deal with any untoward events such as injuries or broken equipment on the trail.
If you want to hike on Vancouver Island but you’re not sure you have the experience or skills to organize a trip, I can whole-heatedly recommend Mike Blake of MB Guiding!
I took Mike's two-day Wilderness Navigation course in Victoria. It was so much fun! Mike is a really kind, positive and patient teacher who is truly passionate about all things guiding. His attitude is really infectious, you are guaranteed to have fun and feel even more passionate about hiking after - whether you are already experienced or a newbie. Highly recommend!
Mike is awesome! Took his Wilderness Navigation course over a weekend (two days) in Victoria. It was tons of fun and I learned so much, we covered analog and digital tools. He's a very positive person with a real passion for guiding and for teaching newbies. He was incredibly patient and good-natured, so do not hesitate to take his courses. Also, he is kind enough to let you continue to reach out for advice when you are planning a hiking trip in the future.
West Coast Trail, September 2024. This was an amazing trip but so much harder than we expected! Mike’s expertise was greatly appreciated, we could not have done this without him. He was very organized and knowledgeable, and kept us on schedule. I would definitely recommend Mike Blake and MB Guiding! Woo hoo!
