The Ancient Cedars Loop Trail is a short, magical detour off the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet that plunges you into a moss‑drenched old‑growth rainforest dominated by towering Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and colossal red cedars—the oldest trees on the Ucluelet peninsula. Clocking in at about 0.9–1 km, this easy 10–15 minute loop is perfect for all ages and abilities, making it a must‑do stop for anyone exploring the Wild Pacific Trail.

As you walk the loop, the trail winds through a cathedral‑like grove of ancient cedar and spruce, some of which are estimated at over 800 years old and measure more than 12 metres around the base. The forest floor is layered with nurse logs, spongy moss, ferns, fungi, and lichens, while “walking cedars” and enormous root systems remind you how these giants have survived centuries of wind, storms, and even the region’s 300‑year‑old tsunami.

The loop functions as a Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ‑led interpretive tour, featuring signs and a small audio box that explain how red cedar has been central to coastal life for generations, used for canoes, longhouses, clothing, baskets, and medicine. You’ll also see Culturally Modified Trees (CMTs), where bark or planks were carefully harvested without killing the tree, and a special viewing deck built around one of these historic plank‑harvest trees so visitors can appreciate its story and scars.