Bedwell Lake Trail is located in Strathcona Provincial Park on Central Vancouver Island.BC Parks has developed the Bedwell Lake Trail as an opportunity for less experienced hikers to access an alpine/subalpine area, especially on a day-use basis. This trail links with the Bedwell River Trail to form a through route between the Pacific Ocean (at Bedwell Bay) and Buttle Lake.

The use of steel stairways offends some hikers while being appreciated by others. This trail is extremely popular, with a significant impact on a sensitive and fragile area. One of the best ways to see this area without further impact it is to visit as a day hiker. With just a day pack, the trail will flow beneath your feet and you will gain elevation without stress.

Hikers should note that there are many black bears in this area. Due to a concern that the Bedwell Lake area's natural resources should not become depleted, BC Parks has designated this as a "core area", within which campfires are not allowed and camping is restricted to specific, hardened sites. Camp stoves are now essential.

The trail is 6 km long, gains 600 metres in elevation, and takes about 3 hours. It ascends a steep forested valley with numerous bridge crossings and breaks out into a hilly subalpine area with two lakes and many tarns and creeks.

There is designated camping at Baby Bedwell Lake, with six tent platforms and a pit toilet, and on the eastern shore of Bedwell Lake where there are 10 tent platforms and a toilet. The Bedwell Trail is becoming a popular way to reach Cream Lake, and other side trips from Bedwell Lake include hikes up Mount Tom Taylor and Big Interior Mountain, each requiring a full day.

Access the trailhead from the south end of Buttle lake, leaving the Buttle Lake Parkway as if for Jim Mitchell Lake, following signs for the trailhead 6.8 km up a rough 2-wheel-drive road to an information shelter and parking at the trailhead.

Hiking trails in Strathcona Provincial Park:

Bedwell Lake Trail
Della Falls Trail
Elk River Trail
Kwai Loop Trail
Landslide Lake Trail
Lupin Falls Nature Walk
Mount Albert Edward Trail
Paradise Meadows Loop
Sawdust Trail

Click for companies that offer Hiking & Backpacking services, or visit our Recreation section for more information on Hiking and Backpacking in British Columbia.

Trail information for Vancouver Island is provided in three superb Hiking Trails guides by the Vancouver Island Trails Information Society.