Long
before, Captain James Cook landed at Friendly Cove in Nootka Sound,
the Mowachaht people used Tahsis as their wintering headquarters.
It
was also the gateway to the valleys of the Tahsis and Nimpkish
Rivers, which were trading routes to the east side of Vancouver
Island. Tahsis comes from the Mohachaht word "Tashees" meaning
gateway or passage.
Except
for the fur trade, this part of Vancouver Island, British Columbia,
remained unchanged until the early 1900's when logging was introduced.
This forestry community at the head of Tahsis Inlet is 70km (43mi)
northwest of Gold River on a gravel
road. It started as a floating logging camping the 1940's, which
later became a permanent on-shore camp. In the 1950's it expanded
and a village took shape. In 1972, the road from Tahsis to Gold
River was opened to the public, attracting new families, housing
and community facilities followed.
The
scenery is rugged and beautiful with evergreen forests, snow-capped
mountains, lush valleys, clear lakes and streams, unspoiled beaches
and coves. Canoeing, kayaking, caving, fishing, and hiking are
all very popular in this region.
Accommodation/Adventure
Providers
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City
Information
Population:
1,200
Climate:
Typical west coast marine climate. Cool wet winters. Summer temperatures
average in the low 20 degrees Celsius.
Annual
Events
The
Great Walk is an annual fund raising event sponsored
by the Tahsis Lions Club. It takes place on the 63.5 kilometres
of gravel logging road between Gold River and Tahsis on Vancouver
Island, and covers some of the most beautiful and rugged country
in the world. The Great Walk has been sponsored by the Canadian
Volksport Federation.
For
information please visit the Great Walk website at www.greatwalk.com.
Main
Industries: Logging, fishing and tourism.
Access:
Tahsis can be reached by water, road and air. From the Pacific
Ocean, you can reach the Village by way of Nootka Sound into Tahsis
Inlet. To reach Tahsis by road, from the Vancouver Island Highway
(Hwy. 19), follow Highway 28 at Campbell River west to Gold River,
from here follow the signs northwest. By air, there are regularly
scheduled float plane services from Gold River, a charter out
of Campbell River and a helipad near the head of the inlet.
Recreation
Facilities/Activities: Community Recreation Centre; museum;
kayaking, boating, fishing, hiking and caving.
Accommodations:
Tahsis offer hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, RV parks
and campgrounds.
For
Information:
The Tahsis Museum & Visitor Information Booth (seasonal)
Rugged Mountain Road, Box 278, Tahsis, BC, V0P 1X0
Telephone(250) 934-6667 • Fax (250) 934-6515
Tourism
Association of Vancouver Island
#203-335 Wesley Street, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2T5
Telephone (250) 754-3500 Fax (250) 754-3599