Length and Difficult: 37 km | 4 sections | Easy - Moderate

Imagine getting off the ferry in Langdale and being able to mountain bike or hike all the way to Earl's Cove through approximately 80 km (50 mi) of uninterrupted nature. The Sunshine Coast Regional District made the dream a reality with the completion of phase one of the Suncoaster Trail connecting Earl's Cove to Halfmoon Bay. The trail has been designed to accommodate hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and, in certain portions, even ATVs.

Phase one of the Suncoaster Trail is 37 km long, about two metres wide, and travels through forest roadways and trails along a series of beautiful lakes. There are exit points near Sunshine Coast communities, giving users access to some of the Coast's finest accommodations and services.

Suncoaster Trail.

Entering the trail at Earl's Cove, the first lake you will encounter is Klein Lake, where there is rustic, lakeside camping for those who want to stop overnight. If you travel about another 1/2 hour to an hour, you will reach Ruby Lake and Ruby Lake Resort via the nature trails of the Iris Griffiths Centre. Ruby Lake Resort offers a seasonal restaurant with the best northern Italian cuisine on the Coast and a variety of accommodations, including fully appointed upscale cabins and safari-style glamping tents in their lakeside resort.

If you continue along the Suncoaster Trail you will almost come down to the highway and you will see that the trail becomes more of a manicured gravel path. At this point, across the highway is Sakinaw Lake Rd. On a hot day, if you detour down this road, you won't regret it because there is a great spot to have a quick, refreshing dip in the lake. 

Just past the golf course, at McKay Road, it is necessary to travel on the highway for several kilometres to Menacher Road. While there is a trail through here, it is not officially part of the Suncoaster because there is a bridge over Anderson Creek that is not wide or strong enough for ATVs. If you want to make another detour, head down Garden Bay Road to Garden Bay Lake, where again you can refresh with a swim in the crisp, clear water. Nearby, Katherine Lake Regional Park's entrance is across from Garden Bay Lake and offers great campsites and a swimming lake with a sandy beach, excellent for families and kids. Katherine Lake campsite offers washrooms and showers as well.

Suncoaster Trail.

Getting back on the road (or trail again) you will need to make your way back out to Highway 101. If you made a detour and turn right and, within a couple of kilometres, you will come to Menacher Road on your left. This road will take you up off the highway and back on the Suncoaster Trail. After a bit of a climb, this next section of the trail mostly follows old forest service roads, is well-signed and a bit remote. After several kilometres, you will reach Homesite Forest Service Road. This is the official end of phase one.

At this point, you can turn right and head down to Highway 101, and then turn left to follow it approximately 13 km into Sechelt. However, if you think you'd like to take back roads and trail route into Sechelt click here for directions. Or, book transportation to and from the trailhead of the Suncoaster Trail via the Coastal Rides App.

Features

Map and Directions
Trailhead parking is located at the corner of Sunshine Coast Highway (Highway 101) and Egmont Road, minutes from Earls Cove ferry terminal. This trail currently terminates at the intersection of Highway 101 and the Homesite Creek Forest Service Road in Halfmoon Bay.

 

Thanks to Becky Wayte and Sunshine-Coast-Trails.com for this blog and contributions.