Vancouver Island Hiking Guide

Amazing Hike Hiking along the ocean and through the coastal rain forest on the iconic West Coast Trail was an experience of a lifetime. Mike Blake of MB Guiding provided expert tips, history and highlights while hiking the gruelling 75 km. As a solo hiker, it was the best decision to go with MB Guiding. Leading up to the hike, Mike provided one on one consultations for all my questions and concerns. He had gear lists to help minimize weight, menu planners, weather and tide reports. Everything !!!! Mike’s positive attitude made even the most arduous day memorable. If you are a solo, older hiker who loves a challenge, the WCT guided by MB Guiding is definitely the right choice for you.

Bucklist Trip…do it! 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!

BEST week of my life!! 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 😎

🌲 North Coast Trail with MBguiding – Unforgettable Experience! 🌲 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!

North Coast Trail adventure to remember 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.

North Coast Trail with MB Guiding 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!

Super Fun Wildness Navigation Course 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 with Mike Blake - MB Guiding 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!

West Coast Trail September 2024. I was beyond impressed with Mike Blake. I do not believe I would have/could have completed the West Coast Trail without his expertise. He was patient, funny and kind. I am beyond grateful that we decided to use a guide for this hike. 10 out of 10 recommend MB guiding.

Epic Augerpoint Traverse Another epic trip with MB Guiding! Mike never disappoints, he even ordered the best weather for the mtn views. This hike was tough to say the least, but oh so worth it! Mikes knowledge and guidance through the technical terrain was amazing, always patient and encouraging. We had a great group, with big laughs to go with the big views.

Augerpoint Traverse best hike on Vancouver Island with 360 views most of the hike. The views were absolutely breathtaking, took so many pictures. Great expert advice and knowledge from Mike @mbguiding, never led us astray, always positive, encouraging, and patient. This hike is not for the faint of heart, it requires experience and commitment and fitness. Get hiking and get in shape and book your adventure.

West Coast Trail 2023 I went on an amazing West Coast trail trip. The days were well planned and Mike has a lot of knowledge to share about the trail and the ecosystems we walked through. It was so much fun and I would highly recommend a trip with MB guiding.

Absolutely phenomenal experience. Best backpacking trips of my life. I can’t recommend MB Guiding strongly enough. It’s the perfect opportunity to have a safe, empowering experience on the most beautiful backpacking trails on Vancouver Island. Mike is always there to help, but you get to do everything yourself so you can gain confidence and independence. Mike is also positive and cheerful, encouraging you constantly. Best parts: -he’s done every trail so many times, he has them all but memorized meaning he will time the tides for best trip possible. -he has at least 40 apps on his phone for weather, wind, emergency situations, animal and plant IDs, etc -he stops to identify and discuss anything you’re curious about -he knows the history and cultural significance of the areas you pass through and tells you all about it -he’s always willing to share information, from tips and tricks to his LighterPack, to gear ideas and recommendations -between Basecamp and the pre-trip meetings, you’ll definitely feel prepared and be prepared for your trip Basically, by the time you’ve done a trip with him, you’ll feel ready to plan and go on multi-day trips without a guide, but you will probably end up like me and prefer just booking with MB Guiding.

North Coast Trail Spent the most amazing week on the North Coast Trail with Mike from MB Guiding. I could not say more about this trip, we learned tons plus had so much fun! Mikes knowledge of the area was huge not to mention all the plants and animals we got to see and learn about. From learning how to identify different animal tracks, to bird calls and different flowers. Each evening we would participate in fire starting, tarp hanging, and food cacheing lessons as well as talking about the goals for the next day and what the weather, tides and distances were going to be on the map. On top of all that Mike was always so encouraging, patient and organized which only made the trip more epic. We had done one of Mike’s wilderness navigation courses before and knew how great that was and he just proved it even more. I would 1000% recommended MB Guiding every time.

Exceeded all my expectations! I can’t say enough good things about MB guiding. I did the Nootka trail with Mike and had an absolute blast. Mike is super organized, professional, friendly, and patient. Every aspect was well-planned. Logistics were taken care of, and we had several opportunities to chat, zoom call, and more before the trip. Each evening after we hiked, we were given opportunities to have a lesson on things like fire-starting, tarp hanging, bear safety, etc. I will absolutely be heading out on more MB guided trips in the near future.

Learn lots along the way I’ve now completed 3 hikes plus the wilderness navigation course. My favourite was North Coast for abundance of wildlife sightings and challenging terrain. I love the small groups. I’ve learnt so much. The best part is learning it the right way right from the start, rather than the hard way and having to undo bad habits. Mike’s clients are a mixed ability, varied knowledge and personality and he is great at catering to all. Mikes knowledge of gear is great and he shares his knowledge. Highly recommend. Good value. Great time with skills learnt along the way from the moment you register till you end the trail.

North Coast Trail, Della Falls and Bedwell Lake I have completed 3 hikes this year with MB Guiding: North Coast Trail late May, Della Falls in early June and Bedwell Lake in early July! What a great way to blast out of pandemic blues! So many back-to-back trips with Mike speaks for itself as to the fun he generates on these trips while ensuring safety for all.

Outstanding North Coast Trail experience with MB Guiding We had a wonderful experience hiking with Mike on the North Coast Trail. Mikes preparation and planning is outstanding. The balance of walking time with time in camp, setting up and time for swimming at the beaches is perfect. Plus he knows where we should be for the low tide sections of beach hiking perfectly. The North Coast trail is a really fantastic hike. It has sections of beautiful old growth forest, upland bog boardwalk, sand and pebble beach’s as well as challenging mud, roots and logs to climb. We saw lots of wildlife: three bear sittings; wolf tracks on the beaches and whales every time we looked at the sea. We saw so many whales that while eating dinner someone would spot a whale and call out, some people would just keep eating. We highly recommend Mike Blake and MB Guiding for your next adventure!

Nootka Trail Hike, July 27-31/19 Mike of MB Guiding (and Lara) provided excellent pre-hike preparation information allowing loads of time from proper training and gearing-up for our Nootka Trail Hike. Once on the trail, I felt in safe hands with a very knowledgeable guide. And what an amazing hike along North Pacific intertidal and forested areas with wondrous old cedars , Hemlocks and Sitka Spruce defiantly holding their own as each winter's storms try to bend them to their will. I love the drippy-green temperate rain forests and looking out at tree-branched flanked views of thundering ocean waves sending mist upwards. Plus the bonus of seeing numerous wild life tracks and even a wolf and bear siting. Loved the journey!

Hiking trip on Vancouver Island West Coast Trail Visiting from London, I hiked with MB guiding in June 19 along the west coast trail in what will remain as the highlight of my visit to BC. Friendly, inclusive, knowledgeable and very supportive, Mike definitely helped in making this challenging trail a great adventure. I would definitely recommend and may come back for more!

Expectations Exceeded My boyfriend & I hiked the West Coast Trail from Port Renfrew to Bamfield with the help of Mike and Lara and looking back we wouldn't have done it any other way. They were both there to answer all of our questions and help us prepare both ourselves and our pack contents. Mike's positive attitude and energy kept us motivated during the entire trip and his extensive knowledge of the trail and it's surroundings is very impressive. We felt like we had an extra "up" on the rest of the hikers as they probably didn't have as much knowledge of the trail as we received from Mike. I would definitely rate the overall experience a 10/10 and I highly recommend using MB Guiding for your next multiday hike.

Guided Backpacking - Three Times Happy To date, I have been on three trips with MB Guiding – one in the mountains of Strathcona Park and two on the west coast (Nootka, NCT). The trips are guided by Mike but partner Lara plays a large part in the organization. I have been fortunate to have hiked with them both on all three hikes. The trips began well before the actual hikes with Mike providing information about the hikes (i.e. route, terrain, and seasonal weather), transport, how to prepare physically, information about lightweight hiking, and detailed clothing and equipment lists. The hikes themselves were well planned. Mike structured the days well, provided tips for negotiating different kinds of terrain, and shared a wealth of natural and cultural information about the area. Mike carried safety communication equipment including emergency GPS beacon and satellite phone. Mike supplied group gear such as stove, water filters, tarp and rope for food caching, which was distributed amongst the guests. Mike is attentive to guests’ strengths and challenges. For example on our first trip he had noticed that a particular type of terrain caused a great deal of anxiety for me so he suggested a different route to use to bypass this particular terrain. On our last trip he was attentive to one of the guest who was experiencing a medical condition that was impacting the guest’s functioning, Mike monitored the guest carefully, preplanned possible evacuation spots, and referred extensively to medical e-book he carried to make informed decisions about how to proceed. Fortunately, the guest recovered and a medical evacuation was avoided. It was eye opening to see the level of seriousness and care Mike took in this situation. Even as a seasoned, experience hiker, I have come away from each trip having learned something new that has made backpacking more effective or enjoyable. The planning, preparation resulted in enjoyable trips and I was grateful as a busy professional to have all the details taken care of. I was able to rise to the challenges each trip provided and savor the beauty of the environment. In addition, the friendly natures of Mike and Lara made all the trips enjoyable social trips. I look forward to joining Mike and Lara on future trips and enthusiastically recommend MB Guiding for anyone wanting a full hiking experience.

Hiking adventures on Vancouver Island I hiked the Flower Ridge with MB guiding in July 2018. It was a fantastic adventure and learning experience. Mike and Lara are highly professional and knowledgeable guides for Vancouver Island. I definitely recommend MB Guiding very highly for any hiking and backpacking trips on the Island. I would certainly go back again for another trip with them.

The Very Top in Guiding We hiked with Mike the West Coast Trail and the Nootka Trail. Both hikes felt like the experience of a lifetime. Mike as well as Lara took utmost care of us both physically and mentally. Not belonging to the younger generation and more they were a beacon of hope on the boulders, the ladders, the creek crossings, the muddy roots and the many other hazards. So if you are looking for a unique experience in hiking while getting in close contact with pure nature there’s only one address: MB Guiding Victoria BC Canada. Rita and Andre Belgium

North Coast Trails Mike and Lara did an excellent job in planning and organizing the trip such that we had a safe and fun time on and off the trail. I would highly recommend MB Guiding if you are looking for an adventure in the outdoors.

Attention to detail all the way through Did the West Coast Trail in summer 2017 with MB Guiding. Super well organized from start to finish, Mike and Lara took care of keeping an eye on the Weather, Tide Tables, Routes, and accommodating the various skill and speed levels of our group. Safety was a big priority, and we all felt confident for the whole week. Would absolutely recommend them.

Fantastic day of hiking Thank you so much for such a great day. We both really enjoyed our time with you. Your knowledge, professionalism, and enthusiasm are a credit to you.

Wonderful guides taking you to wonderful places For many years, I wanted to hike the coastal trails of Vancouver Island - and began a project to do that. The challenge on my first couple of hikes was to find the people to hike with and to arrange the logistics for the staging/permits/etc - as I was living a distance away. At the same time, I wanted an authentic hiking experience - I didn’t want my tent set-up for me, I didn’t want my meals cooked - I basically wanted some experienced hiking partners to hike with. Someone that knew the trail and would allow me to experience it authentically. Well - I found that with MB Guiding! Just a fantastic experience. They arranged the flight into Nootka Island and the Ship off the island. They set-up the pre-hike planning and ensured everyone was ready, but in their own way. They took care of many details, but made sure I was fully participating in my own planning and preparation. Something that was important to me. On the trail, the guiding was great! Both individualized attention and time to walk alone were provided. They even took the time to teach orienteering skills to one participant that wanted to learn them. Plenty of “little touches” in knowledge, ideas, and experience meant that I was hiking the way I wanted - and so were the other members of our group. If you actually want to hike and you want a great group to hike with - this is the company to call. I can’t recommend them enough. They are really a great way to get on the trail without having to do all the initial planning yourself, but without it being a “tour” type of experience. Authentic hiking with a great guiding outfit.