Vancouver Island Grand Loop

The ultimate overland ADV route around the island

The VIGL stitches together the best roads Vancouver Island has to offer — scenic coastal highways, logging roads, hidden gems, and challenging backcountry gravel. Preference has been given to avoid the main highways in favour of back roads featuring scenic vistas and challenging terrain.

↓ Download GPX Track View Interactive Map

        Route Specifications
      

1,700

Total Kilometers

Stages

5–8

Days to Complete

50%

Paved

50%

Dirt / Gravel

The Route

1,700 km circumnavigating Vancouver Island. Click the map to view full size.

Vancouver Island Grand Loop route map showing all 18 stages

Click to enlarge · Green = Easy · Orange = Moderate · Red = Challenging

18 Stages Around the Island

View All Stage Details →

#	Route	Surface
01	Victoria → Shirley	Paved
02	Shirley → Port Renfrew	Paved
03	Port Renfrew → Lake Cowichan	Dirt
04	Lake Cowichan → Bamfield	Mixed
05	Bamfield → Port Alberni	Dirt
06	Port Alberni → Courtenay	Paved
07	Courtenay → Gold River	Paved
08	Gold River → Woss	Dirt
09	Woss → Port Alice	Dirt
10	Port Alice → San Josef Bay	Dirt
11	San Josef Bay → Port Hardy	Dirt
12	Port Hardy → Telegraph Cove	Paved
13	Telegraph Cove → Sayward	Dirt
14	Sayward → Campbell River	Mixed
15	Campbell River → Courtenay	Paved
16	Courtenay → Nanaimo	Paved
17	Nanaimo → Cowichan Bay	Paved
18	Cowichan Bay → Victoria	Paved

Navigation & GPX

Download the full GPX file for your GPS device. Pair with the interactive Google Map and the Backroads Mapbook for comprehensive navigation. Individual stage files are also available in KMZ format for Google Earth.

Bike Recommendations

An adventure motorcycle is highly recommended. Many of the roads are quite rough and will be stressful on your suspension. Half the route is dirt and gravel — street bikes will struggle on the northern stages.

Safety & Gear

Carry a personal locator beacon (ResQLink or SPOT GPS), rain gear, and bear spray. Cell coverage is unreliable to nonexistent on the western side. Northern stages have active bear, cougar, and wolf populations.

⚠ Ride Responsibly

VIGL maps and stage descriptions are intended as an overview of the route rather than turn-by-turn instructions. In addition to Google Maps, it's recommended to have an accurate GPS, a copy of the Backroads Mapbook, a personal locator beacon and to know how to use them. Conditions on Vancouver Island can shift from sun to downpour in as little as 10 minutes and may render parts of the route impassable. Please take care and be ready to turn back if the situation becomes unsafe.

Support the VIGL

If you've enjoyed the route, consider donating to help maintain the Vancouver Island Grand Loop.

Donate via PayPal

Have feedback on road conditions or want to report a closure? Contact me.