Rte 4 Spring, BC, Canada

## Overview The Rte 4 Spring is a roadside natural spring located along Highway 4 between Port Alberni and Tofino/Ucluelet on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Nestled in a forested area roughly 25 kilometres west of Port Alberni, this continuously flowing cold-water spring has long served as a popular stop for travellers making the scenic drive to the Pacific Rim. Black pipes protrude from the rock face, channelling water from multiple directions and making it easy to fill bottles directly. The spring sits in a remote, heavily wooded stretch of highway — essentially "in the middle of nowhere" — which adds to its charm as a hidden gem along one of BC's most beautiful drives. ### Water Quality Notes A user-submitted lab analysis reported the following results: - **Total Dissolved Solids (TDS):** 110 mg/L - **pH:** 7.9 (slightly alkaline) - **E. coli (DES):** 1.0 MPN/100mL (at the recommended threshold of 1 MPN/100mL) - **Total Coliforms (DES):** 38.4 MPN/100mL (above the recommended level of 1 MPN/100mL) - No other noteworthy contaminants were detected. The elevated total coliform count suggests the water may be influenced by surface runoff or organic matter in the surrounding forest environment. While the E. coli reading was at the recommended limit and the mineral profile appears clean, the coliform results mean the water should not be assumed safe to drink without treatment. Many visitors choose to treat or filter the water before consumption. ## Directions 1. From **Port Alberni**, head west on **Highway 4** (Pacific Rim Highway) toward Tofino/Ucluelet. 2. Continue approximately **25 kilometres** along Highway 4. 3. Watch the **right-hand side** of the road — the spring is visible as black pipes emerging from a rock face in a forested area. 4. There is informal roadside pullover space near the spring. The spring flows year-round, 24 hours a day. **GPS Coordinates:** 49.287514, -125.189896 *Note: Cell service can be spotty along this stretch of Highway 4, so it's a good idea to save the GPS coordinates or directions offline before departing Port Alberni.* ## What to Expect The Rte 4 Spring is a no-frills, natural roadside spring. Multiple black pipes channel cold water out of the rock, providing a steady, year-round flow that's easy to collect from. The surrounding area is dense coastal rainforest typical of central Vancouver Island — towering conifers, lush ferns, and mossy rock faces frame the spring. There are no formal facilities, signage, or designated parking — just a shoulder pullover along the highway. The spring is accessible at any time of year, though the road to Tofino can experience winter weather conditions including rain, fog, and occasional snow at higher elevations, so drive carefully. This is a popular water-collection stop for locals and travellers heading to Tofino, Ucluelet, and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. If you're making the drive, it's a worthwhile pause to stretch your legs and experience one of Vancouver Island's many natural springs.