Stage 3 of the Sunshine Coast Trail covers 15.2 km from Rieveley Pond to Powell River (Shingle Mill), with 420 m of ascent and 754 m of descent. The highest point is 429 m. Allow about 5.5 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
Free forest recreation site on Appleton Creek, about 0.3 km from the trail and 2 km past Rieveley Pond, listed by Recreation Sites and Trails BC; facilities could not be checked online.
Motel-style lodge at 6255 Marine Avenue in the Townsite with sea-view rooms, about 1 km from the trail at the Shinglemill.
Full-service hotel with 71 rooms, a pub and a restaurant at 4660 Joyce Avenue in Westview, about 4 km from the trail, near shops and the hospital.
Heritage hotel with 8 rooms in the Historic Townsite at 6243 Walnut Street, about 1 km from the trail at the Shinglemill. Book ahead in summer.
Pub and bistro on Powell Lake where the trail reaches Powell River, open daily from 11 am. qPAWS says it will store hikers' resupply boxes for free (unsecured); call ahead.
Municipal oceanside campground open all year with 83 sites including tent sites, showers and laundry, at 4845 Marine Avenue, about 3.5 km from the trail.
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "not confirmed by the operator" are listed on OpenStreetMap, on the trail website or in tourism listings but could not be checked on their own current page. The trail huts are free, cannot be booked and fill up first come, first served, with one night per hut, so carry a tent. No permit or fee is needed; qPAWS asks for a $5 donation per person per night.
Emergency: call 911. Signal is patchy: carry a satellite messenger. Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.