Canso Plane Crash Hike In Tofino: Everything You Need To Know

Last Updated on July 28, 2026

Canso Plane Crash Hike In Tofino: Everything You Need To Know

Hidden beneath the rainforest canopy just outside Tofino is one of Vancouver Island’s most fascinating hikes. The Canso Plane Crash Trail leads visitors through lush coastal forest to the remains of a Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft that has sat where it crashed for more than 80 years.

Unlike many historic sites that have been restored or relocated to museums, this aircraft remains exactly where it came to rest on February 12, 1945. Moss now blankets the fuselage, towering cedars surround the wreckage, and nature continues to slowly reclaim the airplane. It’s an eerie, beautiful, and unforgettable hike that combines history, adventure, and a little bit of mystery.

If you’re looking for one of the most unique hikes near Tofino, here’s everything you need to know before visiting.

About Tofino

Located on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino is one of British Columbia’s most iconic destinations for outdoor adventure. Surrounded by ancient rainforest, sandy beaches, and the Pacific Ocean, the small coastal town attracts visitors year-round for its laid-back atmosphere and spectacular natural beauty.

Tofino is best known as Canada’s surfing capital, with famous beaches like Long Beach, Chesterman Beach, and Cox Bay offering waves for everyone from first-time surfers to experienced riders. Beyond surfing, visitors can enjoy whale watching, bear watching, kayaking, fishing charters, storm watching in winter, scenic flights, and boat tours to Hot Springs Cove.

The town also serves as a gateway to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, where you’ll find kilometers of hiking trails, old-growth rainforest, and breathtaking coastal scenery. Whether you’re exploring the Wild Pacific coastline, hiking through lush forests, or simply watching the sunset over the ocean, Tofino offers countless opportunities to experience the wild beauty of British Columbia.

Tofino is located within the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, whose people have lived in this region for thousands of years. Visitors are encouraged to learn about the area’s rich Indigenous history and culture while exploring the region respectfully.

The Canso Plane Crash Hike is just one of many unique experiences in the area, offering a fascinating look at Tofino’s lesser-known World War II history alongside its incredible natural surroundings.

The Story Behind The Tofino Plane Crash

The wreckage belongs to Royal Canadian Air Force Canso 11007, a Canadian-built version of the Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat.

On the night of February 12, 1945, the aircraft departed the Tofino airfield around 11:00 p.m., bound for Coal Harbour on northern Vancouver Island. World War II was entering its final months, but Canada’s west coast was still considered strategically important following the attack on Pearl Harbor several years earlier.

Shortly after takeoff, disaster struck.

One of the aircraft’s engines—the port engine—lost power. The aircraft began descending at an estimated 300 metres per minute, giving the crew very little time to react.

Rather than attempting to continue flying, pilot Ron Scholes deliberately stalled the aircraft to reduce its speed before impact. His quick thinking almost certainly saved everyone aboard.

The aircraft slammed into the forest.

Remarkably, every crew member survived the crash.

Waiting For Rescue

Although everyone survived the impact, they were stranded deep in the rainforest during the middle of the night.

The damaged aircraft made radio communication impossible, leaving the crew unable to contact the nearby Tofino airfield.

Instead, they improvised.

Parachutes were transformed into makeshift shelters while they waited in the cold February weather. When they eventually heard another aircraft overhead, they carried a flare away from the burning wreckage and fired it into the sky.

The signal worked.

Approximately 11 hours after the crash, rescuers located the crew and brought everyone safely back.

Before leaving the site, the military removed the aircraft’s weapons, electronics, and sensitive equipment. The remaining explosives were too dangerous to transport, so they were detonated on-site, creating a crater roughly six metres across.

Today, that explosion crater has filled with water and forms the small circular pond you’ll pass on the hike before reaching the aircraft.

Why Was There An Airfield In Tofino?

Many visitors are surprised to learn that Tofino played an important role during World War II.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Canada strengthened its Pacific coastline against the possibility of a Japanese attack.

The military constructed an airfield in Tofino while nearby Radar Hill became part of Canada’s coastal defense network. Military aircraft regularly patrolled the coastline, searching for enemy submarines and protecting shipping routes.

Today, Radar Hill has become a popular scenic viewpoint, while the remains of Canso 11007 provide a tangible reminder of this little-known chapter of Canadian history.

Trail Snapshot

• Distance: 5km (roundtrip)
• Elevation: 35m
• Difficulty: Moderate (due to trail-finding)
• Route Type: Out and back

An Unmarked Trail: What You Need To Know Before Hiking

One of the things that makes the Canso Plane Crash Trail such a unique adventure is also what makes it a little more challenging: this is not an official hiking trail.

Although the wreckage is located within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, the route to the plane is not a designated Parks Canada trail with official signage, maps, or regular trail maintenance. Parks Canada does not promote the trail as an established hiking route, and visitors should be prepared for a more rugged backcountry-style experience.

That being said, the trail has become a popular destination, and some basic upkeep is done to help improve visitor safety and reduce the number of rescues needed. You can expect occasional trail markers, cleared sections, and some basic improvements along the route, but it should not be treated like the well-maintained trails found throughout the national park.

Because the trail is unofficial, hikers should come prepared. Cell service can be unreliable, the route can become difficult to follow in places, and conditions change throughout the year. Mud, fallen branches, slippery roots, and wet sections are all part of the experience.

Before heading out, we recommend downloading the trail map on AllTrails or another offline navigation app, wearing proper footwear, and bringing the essentials you would carry on any wilderness hike.

The lack of a formal trail system is part of what makes the experience feel like an adventure. Walking through the rainforest with no crowds, following small trail markers, and eventually discovering an 80-year-old aircraft hidden among the trees feels like uncovering a piece of Vancouver Island history that was never meant to be found easily.

Just remember to hike responsibly, stay on the established route, leave no trace, and help preserve this incredible historic site for future visitors.

Parking & How To Find The Trailhead

Finding the Canso Plane Crash Trailhead is much easier than it used to be, but it can still be a little tricky since this is not an officially marked trail.

The easiest place to park is at Radar Hill, just off the Pacific Rim Highway (Highway 4). However, do not drive all the way to the top of Radar Hill. Instead, turn into the first gravel pullout/parking area you come to after leaving the highway.

Once parked, begin walking back toward the highway entrance. Rather than walking along the road, look for the paved multi-use path beside the highway. Follow this path for a short distance until you reach an opening where an unmarked trail heads into the forest on your right.

This forest path is the beginning of the Canso Plane Crash Trail.

Years ago, finding this trailhead was much more of a challenge. Hikers had to walk along the side of the highway, count telephone poles, and search for a small airplane drawing on one of the poles to know they had found the correct entrance. Thankfully, improvements along the highway have made access much simpler today.

Even with the easier access, we still recommend downloading the trail map on AllTrails or another offline navigation app before you arrive. Since the route is unofficial and the trailhead is not clearly signed, having a map ready will make the adventure much less stressful.

Tofino Plane Crash Trail Details

The Canso Plane Crash Trail is the kind of hike that feels like an adventure from the moment you step into the forest. While the distance is relatively short, the terrain makes it feel much more exciting than a typical 5 km walk.

The trail winds through the lush coastal rainforest, taking you over exposed tree roots, across wooden planks, through muddy sections, and past the remains of an abandoned building before eventually revealing the historic aircraft wreckage.

This is not a hike where you want to wear your brand-new white sneakers. Mud is part of the experience, and you can expect wet, messy sections year-round—even in the middle of summer. The combination of rainforest and marshy bog means the trail rarely fully dries out.

Adults should be able to manage to stay relatively clean, but kids will definitely embrace the adventure and find every possible muddy section along the way.

The beginning of the trail is the easiest section. It starts as a wide, relatively flat path through the forest before gradually beginning a gentle climb. After approximately 1 km, you will reach one of the trail’s more unusual landmarks: an abandoned building covered in graffiti.

The building has an eerie, almost post-apocalyptic feeling as it slowly gets reclaimed by the forest. While it is interesting to look around and peek inside, we recommend admiring it from the outside. The structure is old, deteriorating, and not somewhere you want to explore too closely.

The trail continues around the right side of the building before descending into the lower section of the hike.

Through The Bog To The Plane Wreckage

After the abandoned building, the trail begins to descend toward the marshy area. This is where things get a little more rugged.

The bog section is where you will encounter the majority of the mud. During the spring and wetter months, hikers should be prepared for extremely muddy conditions, with some sections becoming surprisingly deep. In summer, the trail is generally easier to navigate, but waterproof footwear or shoes you don’t mind getting dirty are still highly recommended.

Along the way, you will pass a small circular pond hidden among the trees. This pond is actually a reminder of the crash aftermath.

After the rescue of the crew, the military determined that it was safer to detonate the aircraft’s remaining explosives rather than attempt to remove them from the remote crash site. The explosion created a crater that was approximately six meters wide, and over time it filled with water to become the small pond you see today.

Continue following the trail and, before long, you will catch your first glimpse of the aircraft’s tail through the trees.

Arriving At The Canso Aircraft

Seeing the wreckage for the first time is the moment that makes this hike so memorable.

After walking through dense rainforest and muddy bog, suddenly coming across the remains of an aircraft that crashed in 1945 feels almost surreal. The plane still rests in the exact location where it came down, surrounded by the forest that has slowly grown around it over the decades.

A short climb takes you around the wreckage, offering different viewpoints of the aircraft. The metal exterior is covered with moss, weathering, and graffiti, adding to the mysterious atmosphere of this forgotten piece of history.

While the graffiti is unfortunate from a preservation and leave no trace standpoint, it has become part of the site’s current appearance and adds to the feeling that you have stumbled upon something hidden and untouched deep in the forest.

It is hard to imagine that this aircraft came down while carrying approximately 1,000 pounds of explosives, yet every person on board survived the crash.

The trail itself is marked with colored trail markers, making it easier to follow once you are on the correct route. However, because this is not an official maintained trail, it is still a good idea to have a map downloaded before you go.

Bring Bug Spray!

One final thing you will want to pack: bug spray.

The mosquitoes can be relentless, especially around the wetter sections of the trail near the bog and pond. During our hike, they were definitely noticeable, and we were grateful to have protection.

Between the mud, mosquitoes, roots, and rainforest terrain, this is not your typical easy stroll—but those little challenges are exactly what make reaching the Canso aircraft feel like a true adventure.

Do Not Climb On The Plane

After more than 80 years exposed to the elements, it is incredible how much of the Canso aircraft remains intact. The rainforest has slowly grown around the wreckage, with moss covering the metal and trees towering above what was once a working military aircraft.

It can be tempting to climb onto the plane for a photo, especially when you finally reach the wreckage after hiking through the forest. However, visitors are asked not to climb on or inside the aircraft.

You’ll probably spot a Parks Canada sign reminding hikers to respect the historic site and stay off the wreckage. This request is not just about safety; it is about preserving an important piece of Canadian history.

Every person who climbs on the aircraft contributes to its deterioration. The metal is already weakened after decades of exposure to Vancouver Island’s wet coastal climate, and additional weight and movement can speed up the damage. The more the wreckage is disturbed, the less likely future generations will be able to experience this incredible piece of history in its original location.

During our visits, we have seen several groups arrive at the plane, and unfortunately, we are usually the only group that chooses not to climb on or inside it. We understand the excitement of discovering something so unique hidden in the forest, but respecting the site is what allows everyone to continue enjoying it.

Take photos. Explore the area. Appreciate the story behind the crash. But please leave the plane exactly as you found it.

A Great History Lesson

The Canso Plane Crash Hike is so much more than just a walk through the rainforest. It is a chance to step back in time and experience a real piece of Vancouver Island and Canadian military history.

Seeing the aircraft sitting in the exact location where it crashed in 1945 makes the story feel much more personal. Reading about a historic event in a book is one thing, but standing beside the wreckage, surrounded by towering coastal rainforest, brings the history to life in a completely different way.

For our family, this was one of those adventures that sparked curiosity. We found ourselves wanting to learn more about the crew, the events leading up to the crash, and how everyone on board survived such a terrifying accident. It became more than just a hike—it became a history lesson hidden in the forest.

This is exactly what makes the Canso Plane Crash Trail such a memorable experience. It combines adventure, nature, and storytelling in a way that few hikes can.

If you visit, do your part to protect this unique site. Follow leave no trace principles, stay on the established trail, pack out anything you bring in, and most importantly, do not climb on or inside the plane.

This aircraft has survived for more than eight decades. Let’s help ensure it remains there for many more visitors to discover.

 

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