Of all the tall trees on Vancouver Island, there are none more iconic and recognizable than Big Lonely Doug, an immense Douglas Fir standing all alone in a cut block. This giant tree, about eighteen stories tall, is estimated to be somewhere around 1000 years old. At 70 meters tall and almost 12 meters round at the base, Big Lonely Doug is the second-tallest Douglas Fir in Canada. Of course I can tell you how big Big Lonely Doug is, how tall, how old… but just like any of the massive old growth trees near Port Renfrew, the only really way to comprehend the scale of this monumental tree is to visit it for yourself.
A visit to Big Lonely Doug is one of the best things to do near Port Renfrew, but it isn’t the most accessible for everyone. A drive along rough logging roads, past Avatar Grove, eventually leads to a steep hill unclimbable by most cars. From here the short hike begins, following logging roads through cut blocks that once held giant old growth forest. Once your destination comes into view you’ll recognize it instantly. How to get to Big Lonely Doug from here is simple – a very short rough trail leads straight through the cut block to the base of Big Lonely Doug. Take a moment here to appreciate this giant tree.
Wondering how or why Big Lonely Doug was saved? There’s a fantastic article by Harley Rustad about the story of this tree, which I highly recommend reading to provide some additional context, as well as a great book for those looking for even more information.
Continue reading this blog post for everything you need to know to visit Big Lonely Doug near Port Renfrew for yourself, including distance, elevation gain, directions on how to get to Big Lonely Doug, the best time to visit, and lots of photos of my experience.
When hiking it’s important to avoid harmful practices such as disturbing plants or rock-stacking, or removing any natural object from flowers to rocks, as it’s important to leave the environment as natural as possible for the animals and for fellow hikers to enjoy in perpetuity. As many flowers as there are, there are few enough that if we all took one, then there wouldn’t be any left. Take only photos, leave only footprints.
If you haven’t heard of Leave No Trace principles, they’re also really essential to read up on before heading anywhere into the outdoors in general. Following these important principles basically means doing your best to leave beautiful places like Big Lonely Doug as good (if not better) than you found them, both for their preservation and for the enjoyment of other visitors.
Big Lonely Doug Round Trip Details
Distance: 2.4 kM / 1.5 MI
Elevation Gain: 95 m / 310 ft
Hiking Time: 30-40 Mins
Hiking & Safety Tips
- Prepare for the possibility of wildlife encounters. There are almost no grizzly bears on Vancouver Island, but black bears are still common. Bear bells are proven to be an ineffective bear deterrent, and are even actively discouraged by Parks Canada. The best way to let bears know you’re around is simply to use your voice. Make sure to keep a respectful distance from wildlife and never feed the animals. It may seem kind but it doesn’t just kill wildlife and put people in danger, it’s also in many cases illegal.
- Research current trail conditions and make sure you are well-informed about the route before you leave, and assess if it is within your capability. Be aware of what time it gets dark and check the weather forecast. Make sure to tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return. Every year as more and more people try hiking for the first time, the number of rescues goes up. Being prepared is the best defense.
- Pack everything you need for a successful hike, including enough water and energy-rich snacks. Remember to pack out everything you pack in though – don’t expect to find a convenient garbage can halfway up the trail. Bring appropriate layers (remember you’ll warm up once you start hiking) and sun protection. Hiking poles may be helpful but are not required. In addition to not leaving any garbage on the trail yourself, I highly recommend bringing a garbage bag and collecting any trash that you do see on the trail. You’re guaranteed to make the walk to Big Lonely Doug a more enjoyable experience for the next person.
How to Get to Big Lonely Doug Trailhead
Big Lonely Doug is accessible via logging road from Port Renfrew, and is only one of a handful of incredible tall trees to visit near Port Renfrew. In particular, if you’re already planning on visiting Big Lonely Doug I highly recommend also adding Avatar Grove and Eden Grove to your Port Renfrew itinerary as they are along the same logging road. From Port Renfrew to where I parked and started the walk to Big Lonely Doug is about half an hour, though depending on how well your vehicle can handle the logging roads you may need to go slower. From the first main intersection at the start of town, turn right onto Deering Road, following signs for Lake Cowichan. Follow Deering Road for 3 km as it crosses a couple of bridges before turning left at a T intersection onto Gordon River Road. From here the road gets increasingly rough. After 5 km keep right at a V, following signs for Avatar Grove. After 2 km you will pass Avatar Grove. Continue for a further 4.5 km until you see another road turn off on the right, slightly downhill. Follow it to cross a bridge high above the Gordon River, and park on the left side of the road at the point at which it turns sharply to the right and begins heading uphill.
Click here to open the exact trailhead location in Google Maps.
Walking to Big Lonely Doug
Parked on the left side of the rough gravel logging road as it turns to the right and heads uphill. From here the road to Big Lonely Doug gets rougher, so most cars won’t be able to make it all the way.
The rough uphill section of road on the way to Big Lonely Doug.
There are a couple of smaller logging roads that branch off of the main one. Keep straight on the main road, keeping an eye out for the tall canopy of Big Lonely Doug on the right.
The start of the official trail down to Big Lonely Doug. The post sticking up on the left was once part of a lovely handmade signpost that was recently destroyed by anti-tree activists.
It only takes a couple minutes to get down to the base of Big Lonely Doug, though the trail is a little steep at points.
The trail passes a couple stumps that once were giant trees themselves.
Approaching Big Lonely Doug.
Big Lonely Doug from below. From this angle it’s impossible to fit all of this giant tree into one photo.
Recommended Hiking Gear
Water is a must whenever I’m hiking, especially if the sun is going to be out. My favourite water filter I’ve used is the Katadyn BeFree 0.6L, which unlike other water filters I’ve used packs up really small and lightweight. For hikes where I know there won’t be any readily available water sources along the way, I make sure to bring my own. The Hydrapak Stow 1L bottle is my go-to, for the same reason that it’s made of a soft plastic that folds up and doesn’t take up any more extra space than necessary in my pack. Finally, Aquatabs are another great option for purifying water, with one tablet being suitable for one litre of water. I previously used the Grayl water filter while travelling internationally, and though I found its hard body more convenient for day to day use and easier to drink from, it has a little too much bulk for my fast-and-light style of hiking.
The secret to all my photos of gorgeous sunset and sunrise mountaintop views? A lot of hiking in the dark. And let me speak from personal experience when I say that the last thing that you want to happen when hiking is to be caught in the dark without a headlamp. I used the Black Diamond Spot 400 for years and it worked great – until I lost it on top of a mountain somewhere. The only downside to it was having to worry about the batteries dying, though there’s also a slightly more expensive version that has a rechargeable battery. Nowadays I’m using the Petzl Actik Core, which is a bit pricier than the more budget-friendly Black Diamond, but is also brighter, more comfortable (in my opinion), and has a hybrid power system that is rechargeable but can also take AAA batteries if needed.
You won’t see me using trekking poles on shorter hikes often – but on long hikes and backpacking trips, as well as certain scrambles, they are an absolute lifesaver. I’ve invested in a high quality ultra-lightweight pair of MSR DynaLock Ascent carbon poles which, while pricey, I don’t regret one bit. If you’re not entirely sure how much use you’re going to get out of a pair of trekking poles, the best budget-friendly option would be the Trekology Trek Z 2.0. Amazon does sell a lot of cheaper Made in China-style trekking poles for cheaper, but these usually are much much heavier and not worth buying.
All the best and most long-lasting cables and power banks I’ve ever owned have been Anker. I once had a phone cable from them that lasted me over three years of daily use! That’s why I keep an Anker PowerCore Essential 20K power bank on me. Like many people I use my phone for a lot of stuff when hiking (checking in with family, using online maps, taking photos, flying my drone) so I like to be prepared for that low battery warning by having a backup power source on me just in case.
The only socks I ever buy for myself are from Darn Tough, and I almost always make sure to wear them when hiking. After years of having no problems only wearing these comfortable and rugged socks for hikes, I accidentally wore a pair of no-name socks on a hike last year and ended up with blisters on both feet. Safe to say I’m back to sticking with the Darn Tough. And the best part? They have a lifetime guarantee, meaning that if they ever wear out you can send them back for a brand new pair. For hiking footwear I go between a pair of lightweight approach shoes for quick and dirty mountain ascents or anything involving scrambling and more heavy-duty boots for longer treks. I’ve worn a couple different versions of the lightweight but super durable Arc’teryx Konseal FL 2 approach shoes for a few years now and am very impressed with the durability. I also really like the thick toecap that keeps me protected every time I stumble into a root or large rock. For longer, tougher, or muddier treks I rely on my LOWA Camino EVO GTX, which I find insanely comfortable and made of very high quality.
I wear my Ar’teryx Gamma Lightweight Pants on every single hike I go on, and on many days when I’m not hiking. After several years of abuse they are still holding together extraordinarily well, with only a few small holes from where I’ve fallen down and some slight stains from being repeatedly coated with mud. They’re lightweight, breathable, and super comfortable. For lightweight and breathable hiking tops I’m a big fan of both the Patagonia Capilene Shirt and the MEC Core Shirt. My Arc’teryx Squamish Hoody shows up in a lot of my photos. It’s super lightweight and packable, and does a great job of cutting the wind while also being pretty breathable. I also have an Arc’teryx Atom Hoody and Arc’teryx Beta LT that I pull out for cooler or wetter conditions.
I hope you enjoyed this guide to hiking to Big Lonely Doug near Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island! Feel free to leave any questions in the comment section below or to contact me directly via social media.