Tofino sits at the end of Highway 4, where the road simply runs out of island. Getting there from Victoria means riding the length of the south Island and then crossing the mountains to the Pacific — one of the best full-day rides in British Columbia.
Distance and riding time
Victoria to Tofino is roughly 310 km, or about 4 to 4½ hours of riding without stops. Realistically, with fuel, food and a walk in Cathedral Grove, plan for most of a day.
The route
Victoria to Nanaimo (about 110 km)
Head north on Highway 1 over the Malahat and up through the Cowichan Valley. It's the least exciting part of the day, but it's quick. If you'd rather avoid the highway, side trips through Cowichan Bay or Chemainus add a bit of character.
Parksville to Port Alberni
North of Nanaimo, follow Highway 19 to Parksville and turn west onto Highway 4. Things get interesting quickly: the road climbs past Cameron Lake and into the forest.
Cathedral Grove (MacMillan Provincial Park) is right on the highway — huge old-growth Douglas firs and red cedars a few steps from the road. Parking is tight along the shoulder in summer, so take care pulling in and out on a bike.
Port Alberni is the last big town before the coast. Fill up here.
Port Alberni to the Pacific Rim (about 1¾ hours to Tofino)
West of Port Alberni, Highway 4 is the reason you came. The road climbs over Sutton Pass, follows the Kennedy River and winds along the shore of Kennedy Lake. It's narrower and twistier than the highway you came in on, with rock faces close to the road in places. Ride it at your own pace — there are pull-outs where you can let faster traffic by, or take a breather.
The Kennedy Hill section along the lake was the site of a multi-year safety improvement project that finished a few years ago, but the highway still sees regular roadwork. In 2025, for example, several repair projects between Port Alberni and Tofino ran with single-lane alternating traffic and delays of up to an hour at times. Always check DriveBC before you leave.
At the Pacific Rim junction, turn right for Ucluelet or left for Tofino. The last stretch to Tofino runs through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, past Long Beach.
Tips for the ride
- Fuel: top up in Port Alberni before you head west.
- Weather: the west coast is its own climate. It can be sunny in Parksville and foggy and wet at the coast — pack layers.
- Traffic: summer weekends are busy with campers and RVs heading to the coast. A weekday or an early start makes a big difference.
- Coverage: cell service can be patchy over the pass. Download offline maps before you go.
- Stay a night: riding there and back in one day is possible, but you'll spend most of it in the saddle. Tofino and Ucluelet deserve at least one night.
Making it a loop
There's only one road in and out of Tofino, so the way back is the way you came as far as Port Alberni or Parksville. From there you can head north to Comox and Campbell River, catch a ferry to the mainland from Nanaimo, or ride south back to Victoria. Our five-day Vancouver Island itinerary puts it all together.
Gear up in Victoria
Heading out from Victoria? Stop by 508 Herald Street before you go — we're open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm, and happy to talk routes.
Distances and road information last checked in November 2026. Highway 4 sees frequent maintenance — check DriveBC for current conditions before every trip.