Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Canada

British Columbia

Area A (Kyuquot/Nootka/Sayward)

Kusam Klimb loop — Sayward, British Columbia

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Canada

British Columbia

Area A (Kyuquot/Nootka/Sayward)

Kusam Klimb loop — Sayward, British Columbia

Hard

hikers

Kusam Klimb loop — Sayward, British Columbia

08:34

22.3km

1,470m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Last updated: November 14, 2025

Waypoints

Start point

Get Directions

9 m

Kusam Klimb Parking and Heritage Hall

Highlight • Parking

The Heritage Hall serves as the official start and finish point of the annual Kusam Klimb endurance race. Hikers can also begin the trail from here, following the same route into the forest toward Mt H’Kusam. On Saturdays, a small farmers’ market takes place on-site, so parking can be limited — plan to arrive early if visiting on a weekend.

Tip by

4.61 km

Bill's Trail / Kusam Klimb

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This steep, rugged route forms the heart of the Kusam Klimb, a 23 km endurance race that climbs and descends over 1,500 m of elevation around Mt H’Kusam. The trail, originally cut by local volunteer Bill Westaway, leads hikers through dense coastal forest, rope-assisted ascents, and alpine viewpoints overlooking Sayward and Johnstone Strait. Even outside race day, it’s a demanding but rewarding challenge with incline/decline grades reaching an astonishing 53%. Expect mud, roots, and relentless grades that test your stamina every step of the way.

Tip by

7.54 km

Junction for H’Kusam Mountain

Highlight • Trail

This junction marks the optional side route to the H’Kusam Mountain summit, adding about 1.6 km (one way) and 163 m of elevation gain to your hike. Most of the climb is gradual, winding through alpine meadows and rocky terrain with expanding views toward Sayward and the Johnstone Strait. It’s a worthwhile detour for those with energy left after the main ascent on Bill's Trail/Kusam Klimb, offering a quieter summit experience and a sweeping vantage point over northern Vancouver Island.

Tip by

12.6 km

Stowe Creek tributary confluence

Highlight • River

This point marks where several tributary streams flow together into Stowe Creek, carrying snowmelt runoff from the back of H’Kusam Mountain. In spring, the sound of rushing water echoes through the forest as meltwater feeds the main creek below. The terrain here is damp and uneven, with moss-covered rocks and soft ground underfoot — a reminder of how the mountain’s snowpack sustains the lush valleys of Sayward’s backcountry.

Tip by

22.3 km

End point

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

11.5 km

7.03 km

2.39 km

1.44 km

Surfaces

10.7 km

8.86 km

2.74 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (1,430 m)

Lowest point (10 m)

Weather

Tuesday 19 May

14°C

3°C

-- %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: -- km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

This route was planned by komoot.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Edit route

Download GPX

Move start point

Embed on a website

Report an Issue

Nearby routes

Hard

Kusam Klimb loop — Sayward, British Columbia

08:34h

22.3km

1,470m

Kusam Klimb loop — Sayward, British Columbia

Kusam Klimb Parking and Heritage Hall

Bill's Trail / Kusam Klimb

Junction for H’Kusam Mountain

Stowe Creek tributary confluence

Nearby routes

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️