Plan Your Trip

The Basics

When you plan a trip on the North Island, you are travelling in isolated rain forest. It rains often and the temperatures rarely go above 25 degrees Celsius. However, the pristine forest and sights along the way make the ride worth your while, and if you’re well-prepared, it will be a great trip.

Over long distances, large groups can become unmanageable and waiting for riders can be frustrating. As this ride is too long to be a ‘guided’ group ride (indeed it is a multisport route), you are free to pace yourself as you are comfortable and use the buddy system for safety. 

  • Per the “Turn by Turn route guide”: each day will have an itinerary with suggested stops, points of interest along the route and camping or accommodation at the end of the day’s ride. 

  • Within their groups, riders will have the flexibility to decide when and how long they want to stop at each destination and still be able to meet at the end of the day, if they choose. 

  • Pick your buddy(s) carefully to be sure they have similar goals for the trip.

Each rider should bring:

  • Enough fuel to go 200 km. (Or enough snacks if you are a cyclist or hiker!)
  • Appropriate riding gear for wet weather
  • Camping gear, a tarp and the means to build a campfire. 
  • There are stores along the route, but every rider should carry food with them and the means to heat it up. 
  • There is plenty of good drinking water in the North Island but some may wish to use a filter.

Please ensure that your machine is up for the task with all maintenance done before you go.

  • Change oil/ differential oil.
  • Clean air filter.
  • Check tire pressure, pack tire inflator/ patch kit.
  • ATVs may want to add a throttle extender to help with thumb fatigue.
  • There are few services on the North Island, so best be prepared!
  • Follow the ‘ride protocol’ when entering a town; 30 km/ hour on the roads marked on the permit. Keep in mind that this is the first ride of this type and we must set a good example.
  • Most of the North Island where the route is located does not have cell service; FRS or VHF radios are a good option for communication in your group. 
  • Each group must carry at least one of the following:
    •  a SPOT, inReach or a satellite phone

All ATV operators MUST scan and send the following documentation to:  MID-ISLAND ATV CLUB (president@miatv.ca) to be considered for the ride: 

  • Valid driver’s licence*
  • Registration of off road vehicle with ICBC (plate or sticker)**
  •  Proof of 3rd party liability insurance of a minimum of 2 million (ie Capri).
  • ATV operators are not permitted to operate between 11PM – 5AM.                                                                                                                  *Without a valid driver’s licence, no permits will be issued.                   **A plate or decal issued by another jurisdiction must satisfy the requirements of the motor vehicle laws of BC.

Street- legal Dualsport motorcycles do not need to send this documentation with their registration, however, they are still required to carry their licence and registration with them (as per the rules of the road).)

North Island Roads and Access Maps, 3 maps total

Navigation

The North Island 1000 is a route comprised of countless roads, trails and side trips that make for an epic tour of the North Island. To ensure a safe and enjoyable adventure, please read the advice below and request a copy of the turn by turn directions.
 
  • Before attempting this loop, make sure you have the GPS tracks AND the North Island Search and Rescue maps to ensure that your route knowledge is complete and up to date. There are 3 maps that cover the areas that North Island 1000 covers (pictured on the right) and they are available from www.crsar.ca or at Campbell River outdoor stores, such as River Sportsman or Tyee Marine.
  • The Search and Rescue maps are also useful for planning side trips, as there are 1000s of km of side trips accessible from this route that aren’t included in the loop itself. Visit the tourist pages for the different communities and see what extra side trips might interest you along the way.
  • Request the Route Plan document by clicking the button below and filling out your info in our contact sheet. Start with your route plan request and leave a little message letting us know what you ride, and if you want email updates from us about future rides!
Request Route Plan Document
Khyber Pass: alternate technical route from Campbell River to Gold River