Hiking To The Canso Plane Crash Site In Tofino (2025 Guide)
Tofino And The Canso Bomber Plane Crash
Just after WW2 Royal Canadian Airforce Canso Bomber 11007 crashed just after takeoff in Tofino. That crashed bomber can still be found today and is one of my favourite hikes in Tofino. It is a muddy but lovely trail through the Pacific Rim that gives you a lost in the forest reminder of our history.
Tofino Plane Crash Hike Info
- Difficulty Level: moderate – walking along many boards and roots can be muddy and slippery
- Elevation gain: basically nothing
- Distance: 2km round trip
- Time: 1 – 1.5 hours
- Best Time – weekday to avoid crowds the crash site is popular
- Dog Friendly – Yes but prepare for mud and leash dog for wildlife
- Terrain – Muddy bring gumboots
- 4 x 4 – Not required parking is off main highway
Why Is There A Crashed Plane In Tofino
In WW2 Tofino was used as a forward base for marine detection. The Radar hill site was built at this time as well. The Canso bomber was flying a return flight to Coal Harbour in 1945 when it suffered an engine failure and crashed shortly after takeoff. Even loaded up with fuel and bombs the pilots good flying saved all 12 members of the crew. After the rescue of the crew the army detonated the remaining 400kg of depth charges creating the crater still found at the site. The pond you see on the way is the old bomb crater. There is a great interview with WW2 vet Clarence Sartorius who was aboard flight 11007.
Finding Tofinos Crashed Plane
To start your hike you want to park at the lower Radar Hill parking lot. This is a big well maintained parking area but you will require your park pass to visit this area.
Where To Park
Just google Radar Hill for directions and stop at the lower parking right off the highway.
Park Pass recquired
From the parking lot is an easy walk along this beautiful treed path to the start of the hike. You used to have to count out 15 telephone polls and then duck into the trees so this is far better.
Meghan showing you the way! Once you reach this very obvious path on your right you have officially started your hike. The trail is quite obvious and there is a bit of flagging to show you the right way.
The Abandoned Transmission Station
If you like old abandoned structures there is a super creepy but cool abandoned transmission station from the war.
After the abandoned building there is a bit of flagging to show you the way.
This is the path you want to take. It soon open up out of the trees.
Almost immediately this is where it starts to get a bit challenging. You descend down into a bit of a bog from here so watch your step.
This give you a pretty good idea of what the trail will look like in a dry period. It can be soooo much worse.
walking the planks ignoring her own gumboot advice
The Plane
Once you make it through the bog you will pass the man/bomb made lake and the plane sits on a bit of an uphill area.
First views of the crash site
There is nothing stopping you from going inside but I would be very careful of the exposed metal.
One of the old engines, is this the one that failed?
This is an out and back hike, so when you are done exploring the plane crash retrace your steps and why not head up to Radar Hill.
Radar Hill
After your hike you might as well do the quick drive to see this view over Tofino!
Where To Stay To Visit The Plane Crash
Tofino has a ton of amazing accommodation. If you are looking to stay closer to Long Beach and the bomber hike I really like Long Beach Lodge. The Great Room restaurant, has spectacular views of the ocean and great food.
Cox Bay Beach Resort is no slouch either and the hot tub on the edge of the beach is amazing! Let’s face it Tofino is not cheap. If you are going to drive all the way up there staying at one of these places is definitely worth it. Cox Bay Beach Resort is probably our favourite beachfront “nice” hotel for the value.
There is also the Best Western Tin Wis which has to be the nicest Best Western I have ever seen right on the beach.
Best Time To Do The Hike
This hike can be done all year but If you are looking to escape the mud summer is your best bet. If you are lucky with a weeklong sunny period it dries up pretty nicely and is a far easier hike. If not, bring gumboots and it is just so much easier not having to to hop between roots and planks all along the trail.
How To Get To Tofino
Tofino is best reached by car or by seaplane from Vancouver. It is about a 3 hour drive from the ferry terminal in Departure Bay Nanaimo.
If driving is not an option for you there are also shuttles with Island Link and the Vancouver Island Connector Bus. Tofino.ca has some great transportation options you can check out here.
What Else To See In Tofino
The beaches here are world class and can’t be missed. One of my favourite spots the Cox Bay Lookout gives you a great view of my favourite beach.
If you are up for a challenge the water taxi to Meares Island and hike up the Lone Cone gives incredible views over Tofino.
Have some extra time heading back south check out the incredible 5040 Peak Hike.
