Canada will have a north-south trail for surfers and bikers.
Can you imagine hiking or cycling and enjoying the sea at the same time surfing or any other water activity? Oops-cheek ta-shee either ʔapsčiik t̓ašii is the name chosen for what will be the new path that will cross from north to south the Pacific Rim National Park in British Columbia Canada.
The park with its steep coastline and lush forests is located next to some of the most popular beaches for surf lovers , that is why it is one of the most anticipated trails in the country.
But, What does Oops-cheek ta-shee mean and why did they choose this name? In the indigenous language of the park, these words mean "to go in the right direction." “Individually,** it can refer to our personal journeys in life**. Remembering that we are on the tašii (path), and going in the right direction refers to being aware of the environment and all living beings”, they point out from the Government of Canada website.
The new trail on the west coast of Canada.
'Going on the right path' began to be conceived in 2016 with an ambitious budget of $51 million , although it was not until 2018 when the works began. It is understandable considering that it is a long-awaited request by different groups for a long time.** Since in this same area there are already small paths that connect the beaches**, but it was necessary to create one that would unite them all, that it be multifunctional and that it also respect the natural environment.
'Ups-cheek ta-shee' will span more than 25km along the Pacific West Coast in the same national park and will link two cities, Tofino and Ucluelet . In this way, different regions will be connected through the same path, which will serve both cyclists and pedestrians because it will be 3.2 m wide plus 1 meter wide on each shoulder; and also for discover other areas of the park such as viewpoints and other forests.
From north to south, you will pass through different important tourist spots, such as the main beaches for surfers such as Tofino , the capital par excellence of this sport in the country. "This project it will also bring short-term and long-term financial benefits to the region , and will provide a long-term legacy for Canadian generations to come," the government says on its website.
“We all know that traveling on foot or by bicycle improves the experience of nature in an immeasurable way. Being able to smell the forest, taste the salty air, observe rare species and hear the roar of the ocean is a great experience. When visitors and locals learn and experience the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve using* ʔapsčiik t̓ašii*, they will also discover reasons to support the long-term protection of Canada's flora, fauna and wilderness within and outside its national park system.”
The expected opening date will be in 2022 , it will be open all year round and will not involve an additional payment to the existing fees in all the national parks of Canada.