The FMCBC is a supporter of the Vancouver Island Spine Trail. The Vancouver Island Spine will be a 700 km trail from Victoria in the south to Cape Scott at the northern end of the island.
The project is being developed by the Vancouver Island Spine Trail Association (VISTA), a part of "Hike BC," the BC wing of the National Hiking Trail. The NHT, over the past 30 years has incorporated such significant trails as the East Coast Trail in Newfoundland, the Bruce Trail in Ontario and the Alexander MacKenzie route, the Nuxalk/Carrier "Grease Trail" from Bella Coola to Quesnel. For more information about the trail or to help with building the trail, check out the VISTA website.

2010 Vancouver Island Spine Relay
VISTA is now embarking on its first major public event, The VI Spine Relay, to raise awareness about the trail, where it is, and how people can get involved. The Relay, scheduled for June 2010, will see groups of individuals hiking, cycling, mountain biking and running along the proposed trail route from Cape Scott to Victoria. The plan is for participants to traverse existing trails, and in between, connect them up using mountain or touring bikes depending upon the road conditions.

The preliminary schedule for the relay is as follows:

• Saturday, June 5, start at Cape Scott Provincial Park parking lot, hike to Nissen Bight
• June 6, run the North Coast Trail to Shushartie Bay
• June 7, mountain bike to Port Hardy
• June 8, hiking in Port Hardy and Port McNeil (with schools)
• June 9-10, cycle to Campbell River
• June 11, hiking in Campbell River (schools), cycle to Mount Washington
• June 12-14, hike from Mount Washington to Cumberland via Forbidden Plateau
• June 15, hiking in Comox Valley (schools)
• June 16, mountain bike to Mount Clifton (Beauforts)
• June 17-19, hike to Port Alberni along Beaufort range
• June 20, hiking in Port Alberni (schools)
• June 21-23, mountain bike to Lake Cowichan via Runners Trail, Francis Lake
• June 24, hiking in Lake Cowichan (schools) and hike on Cowichan River
• June 25-26, run to Victoria along Trans-Canada trail
• Sunday, June 27, hiking, celebration in Victoria (schools)

Objectives of the Relay:

• To raise awareness for the idea of the trail,
• To garner community support for the trail,
• To develop a list of people and organizations willing to map, develop and maintain the trail the length of the Island

What we want to get across:

• The trail will provide substantial and sustainable economic benefits to communities and organizations along the route.
• The trail will encourage people, of all ages, to get out and experience the backcountry of the Island, whether its in their back yard or further afield.
• The trail will build on the Island’s reputation as an outdoor experience destination and has the potential to become, like the West Coast, Cape Scott and Juan de Fuca Trails, a major tourist destination.

Online registration will be posted in early April on the VISTA website.