I’m very excited to share my hiking 5040 peak adventure with you! British Columbia is known for its stunning landscapes, and among its many trails is the mighty 5040 Peak. Located in the heart of Vancouver Island, 5040 Peak offers a rewarding challenge with breathtaking views, gorgeous alpine lakes, and so much wildlife.
This post will go through everything you need to know about planning a trip to 5040, including information about the service road, trail details and tips for reserving the hut. It was quite the challenge to organize and this will give you a detailed overview so you can be prepared.
Overview of 5040 Peak
5040 Peak has an elevation of 1,534 meters, and offers panoramic views of BC the entire way up! The hike is rated intermediate – if you’re looking for a challenge and to witness the beauty of Vancouver Island then this is definitely for you. Myself and 3 friends hiked this trail in September and I would really recommend this time of year!
Getting There
The trailhead for 5040 Peak is located near Sutton Pass on Highway 4, between the towns of Port Alberni and Tofino. The drive to the trailhead is an adventure in itself – the road isn’t maintained at all so there are some pretty huge potholes. I’ve heard from friends that even 4WD/high clearance vehicles can struggle up this road. We drove in a Volkswagen Taos which was fine but it was a little stressful. I would recommend watching some YouTube videos of the service road beforehand so you know what to expect if this is your first time driving on difficult terrain.
Directions to 5040
Access the service road to 5040 peak from two directions, depending on where you have come from. We had 5 days in Tofino before 5040 and ended our trip with this hike. If you’re wanting to plan a combo trip check out my itinerary for Tofino here.
There’s no service at the turnoff to the service road so make sure you grab the exact directions on Google Maps while you’re in service as you could easily miss it. I would also recommend downloading Google Maps offline for this area too! The turn-off is not marked and you can easily miss it, so slow down as you get close and keep your eyes peeled.
1 – From Port Alberni: Head west on Highway 4 towards Tofino. After roughly 50KM, look for the turnoff to Marion Creek Service Road on your left.
2 – From Tofino: Head east on Highway 4 towards Port Alberni. After approximately 75KM, you’ll reach the turnoff to Marion Creek Service Main Road on your right.
The Hike
Hiking to 5040 Peak is a 9.3 KM round trip, with an elevation gain of around 1,100 meters. The trail is stunning and very well-marked, there are steep sections, loose rock, and potentially snow depending on the time of year. Check trail conditions in advance and make sure you have the appropriate gear. There are 3 rope sections along the trail ,which can be a little daunting initially but very manageable even with 65L backpacks.
If you’d like to camp at the top of 5040 there are lots of spots around the lake, the hut area and I know of people who have camped at the summit, if that’s you’re thing! There’s 1 washroom which is close to the main hut. The toilet surprisingly has the most gorgeous views and makes doing your business a bit of a treat (ignoring the smell of course!)
Staying Overnight in the 5040 Peak Hut
If you’d like to camp at the top of 5040 there are lots of spots around the lake & the hut area. I even know of people who have camped at the summit if that’s your thing! There’s 1 washroom which is close to the main hut. The toilet surprisingly has the most gorgeous views and makes doing your business a bit of a treat (ignoring the smell of course!)
We got super lucky with our reservation and managed to get the hut booked for our overnight adventure so we didn’t need to hike up with a tent. I couldn’t recommend the hut more, it was the best experience and is currently my favourite experience of hiking in Canada. The hut is fully equipped with a living and dining area, kitchen with everything you’d need, two bedrooms with bunk beds, and lots of books and board games. The hut has a keypad which gets reset after every booking, the code will come through to your email 48 hours in advance so make sure you keep it written somewhere safe.
You can book the hut 3 months ahead of when you plan to use it and it costs $130CA per night for alpine club members and $150CA if you are not a member. It was such a special experience to sleep in this magical place, it’s amazing value for money and I would go again in a heartbeat. I would go as far as saying this is one of the best hikes in Canada! There is nothing quite like being so far from civilization with your besties, good food, and mountain view chats.
You can book the hut here.
5040 Peak Highlights
Cobalt Lake: Along the trail, you’ll come across several stunning alpine lakes, including Cobalt Lake, which makes for a perfect rest or swim stop.
Wildlife: Keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife along the trail and at the top of the mountain. You could spot black bears, deer, marmots, and various bird species. We saw a lot of Grouse just outside the hut en route to the washroom – they are super cute but very shy birds.
Summit Views:
The final push to the summit will give you 360-degree views. We hiked up to the very top in the morning as we arrived the day before in a total cloud so the views would not have been good! On a clear day, you can see the Pacific Ocean and peaks of the Coast Mountains. Weirdly I got service from the very top so it was nice to check in with family and friends while up there.
What to Bring
Essential Gear: Ensure you have good hiking boots, a map or GPS device, plenty of water (you can boil the creek water at the peak), high-energy snacks, and a first aid kit.
Clothing: Bring plenty of layers as the mountains have their own weather system. A waterproof jacket is essential. I usually bring some base layers for sleeping in and have a few pairs of socks. Bring swimwear if you think you’d like to have a dip. We did on the way back down and it was lovely!
Responsible Hiking
Hiking 5040 Peak offers an opportunity to connect with nature, but it’s essential to minimise your impact on the environment. Follow Leave No Trace principles:
Pack Out Rubbish: There are no bins so be prepared to carry everything out with you.
Stay on the Trail: Stick to trails to protect the alpine vegetation.
Respect Wildlife: Enjoy the animals from a distance and do not feed them.
Nearby Attractions
Before or after completing 5040 Peak, consider exploring the nearby coastal towns of Tofino and Ucluelet. These charming towns offer a variety of activities, from surfing and kayaking to whale watching and exploring tide pools. I’ve been lucky to visit both of them a number of times. See what the best things to do in Tofino & Ucluelet are here.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Located just a short drive from the trailhead, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is a must-visit. The park has rugged coastlines, rainforests, and stunning beaches. Take a walk on the Wild Pacific Trail or relax on Mackenzie Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Canada.
Final Thoughts
Hiking 5040 Peak is so, so worth it and an incredible adventure that showcases the diverse beauty of British Columbia. From the challenging ascent to the gorgeous summit views, every step of this hike offers something special. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or looking to challenge yourself, 5040 Peak promises an unforgettable experience. If you are planning a trip there soon, please leave a comment here or drop me a message, I would love to hear all about it!
Love Chrissy x
