Directions to Avatar Grove

  • Please note!

    Avatar Grove has been temporarily closed by Recreation Sites & Trails BC (RSTBC) since 2022 citing the need for trail upgrades to safeguard the public and environment. However, RSTBC has since stalled work to reopen the site.

    We need your voice! Please send a letter of support stating why you would like to see Avatar Grove reopened and that it needs to be made a top priority to: Rec Sites and Trails BC, BC Forest Minister & MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca Ravi Parmar, MLA Juan de Fuca-Malahat Dana Lajeunesse, Minister of Environment and Parks Tamara Davidson, BC Premier David Eby, and your own MLA.

    Emails: recinfo@gov.bc.ca, ravi.parmar.mla@leg.bc.ca, FOR.Minister@gov.bc.ca, Dana.Lajeunesse.MLA@leg.bc.ca, ENV.minister@gov.bc.ca, premier@gov.bc.ca.

    Thank you! We will update this page any time we have new information to share.

About Avatar Grove

The Avatar Grove is a wilderness area! The Ancient Forest Alliance has worked hard to construct and maintain a boardwalk throughout much of the grove but good balance and basic hiking experience is required in certain areas ie. possible muddy sections, slippery roots or slopes, logs, etc. The trail is not like Cathedral Grove and the last few kilometers of driving are along a rough logging road. Please enjoy within your abilities, and scroll down to get directions to Avatar Grove.

From Victoria: approx. 2.5 hours

From Port Renfrew: 15–20 minutes

Printable Map: Big Trees of Port Renfrew Google Maps Directions

Directions to Avatar Grove From Victoria

  1. Drive to Port Renfrew along West Coast Rd / Highway #14.
  2. Immediately upon reaching Port Renfrew, turn RIGHT onto Deering Rd.
  3. Cross the big bridge over the San Juan River and continue down Deering Rd., staying to the RIGHT at the next Y.
  4. You’ll cross a small, single lane bridge and reach a “T”. Turn LEFT onto Gordon River Main (right goes to Lake Cowichan).
  5. Stay on the mostly-paved road, and after approximately 5 km, you will reach a “Y”. Go LEFT and cross a tall, beautiful bridge over the Gordon River.
  6. After crossing the bridge, stay on Gordon River Main (now a bumpy gravel road) for about 1.5 km, keeping to the RIGHT at the next “Y”.
  7. You will soon cross a small bridge at Baird Creek. Park on the right side after the bridge. Look for signs at the trailheads.
  8. The trail on the right hand side will take you into the Lower Grove, which is flatter and has some giant, burly cedars and large Douglas-fir trees.
  9. The trail on the left side of the road takes you through the Upper Grove, where, at the top, you’ll see “Canada’s Gnarliest Tree”! This side is a bit steeper and has many large cedar trees alongside the path.

Pacheedaht First Nation

“Avatar Grove” is a popular nickname for the Pacheedaht name of “T’l’oqwxwat” and is in the unceded territory of the Pacheedaht First Nation. It was protected by the BC government in 2012 after an intense two-year public awareness campaign led by the AFA in partnership with the Port Renfrew Chamber of Commerce. Please support the local business community whenever possible and be sure to treat the land and all creatures with respect. Pack it in/pack it out.

Note: camping is not permitted at Avatar Grove.

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Get in Touch

Phone

(250) 896-4007 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)

Address

205-620 View Street
Victoria, B.C. V8W 1J6

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Ancient Forest Alliance

The Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) is a registered charitable organization working to protect BC’s endangered old-growth forests and to ensure a sustainable, value-added, second-growth forest industry.

AFA’s office is located on the territories of the Lekwungen Peoples, also known as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
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