11 San Josef Bay → Port Hardy
From the wilderness of Holberg back to civilization in Port Hardy. The road punishes with rocks and gravel — the last 15km of deep soupy gravel is the toughest stretch. Lower your tire pressure and push through.
Overview
Once you leave Holberg, Stage 11 begins to punish with rocks and gravel and doesn't let up all the way to Port Hardy. The last 15km is particularly rough — deep, soupy gravel that demands patience and lower tire pressure. The difficult conditions are a result of heavy traffic from hikers accessing Cape Scott Provincial Park.
A small side trip off NE60 Rd to NE50 Rd offers some really nice forest roads and is worth the brief detour. Nahwitti Lake is a beautiful rest stop, and keep an eye out for the Shoe Tree — a local landmark where hundreds of hikers have left their worn-out boots. Lower tire pressure before leaving Holberg if you haven't already.
The Scarlet Ibis in Holberg — grab food here and top up on water before the stage begins. This is your last services stop for a while.
The Scarlet Ibis in Holberg for the last meal before Port Hardy. Port Hardy has multiple restaurants and full services at stage end.
Nahwitti Lake — protected on all sides by trees and hills, a beautiful and calm rest stop mid-stage. The Shoe Tree — a roadside tree festooned with hundreds of shoes left by Cape Scott hikers. Seagate Wharf — a Canadian Coast Guard hub near downtown Port Hardy.
Lower tire pressure before leaving Holberg. The last 15km into Port Hardy is extremely rough — deep, soupy gravel. Expect camper vans, hiking shuttles, and logging trucks sharing this road.
Stage Map
Photos
