 Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park There are many smooth, well-marked routes suitable for family outings. Bike along an old railway line, where you’ll pass farmland, hidden lakes, and even spot wildlife. Wherever you go, the scenery will enchant you - it ranges from sweeps of sparkling ocean to dense canopies of old-growth forest. Conditions are best from April to October.
A word or two on safety:
- Bicycle helmets are mandatory in BC
- Lights required at night
- Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers
- Obey posted signs and keep to designated trails
Cowichan Valley Rail Trail
The Cowichan Valley Rail Trail is the most scenic route of the Trans Canada Trail on Vancouver Island. Built on a converted rail bed, it’s a near-level ride that takes in some of the island’s most breathtaking scenery. If you ride the entire length of it, from Shawnigan Lake to Cowichan Lake, you’ll see rivers, valleys, forests, canyons and farmland and pass over several trestles. The 70-m (230-ft) high, 300 m (984 ft) in length Kinsol Trestle, a marvel of engineering, is said to be the largest wooden rail bridge in the British Commonwealth.* The Marie Canyon/99 Mile Trestle is one of the trail’s best viewpoints. Plant life on the trail is lush and varied. Look for Western hemlock, Broadleaf maple, arbutus, Pacific dogwood and Douglas fir in the forest and salal, Oregon grape, red huckleberry, dwarf rose, Saskatoon berry and false boxwood elsewhere. There’s also a wealth of wildlife to see along this route. Native species include cougar, Black-tail deer, Pileated woodpecker, salmon and trout.
In addition to a wonderful biking experience, this trail provides access to many, small Cowichan Valley communities, freshwater lakes, bed & breakfasts, wineries, agricultural attractions, harvest festivals and other events.
The trail has multiple access points but the main ones are at the south end of Shawnigan Lake and the northwest end of Lake Cowichan. Shawnigan Lake is a 35-minute drive north of Victoria via Highway 1. Cowichan Lake is about 25 minutes west of Duncan via Highway 18. The trail is open year round but the best weather for cycling occurs from March through October.
* The trail currently by-passes the Kinsol Trestle, which is undergoing restorative work. Development and upgrading of this trail is under review. At times, there may be parts of the trail that are inaccessible.
A word or two on your excursion:
- Level of difficulty: easy to moderate
- Length: 47 km (29 mi)
- Time required: half-day to multi-day
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Gulf Islands
The southern Gulf Islands are scattered through the Strait of Georgia, between the BC mainland and Vancouver Island. These islands have a decidedly rural character. Working farms are interspersed with pockets of old-growth forest and tiny commercial enclaves. Side roads lead to quiet shell, pebble and sand beaches. Everywhere, there are captivating viewpoints.
The main southern islands -Saltspring, Galiano, Mayne, Pender and Saturna- offer regular ferry service from Vancouver Island and the mainland. An inter-island ferry service also makes hopping between these islands easy. Bike rentals are available on all of the islands.
From Vancouver Island, catch the ferry at Swartz Bay, a 30-minute drive north from downtown Victoria via Highway 17. If your destination is Salt Spring Island, you may also catch the ferry at Crofton.
From the mainland, catch the ferry at Tsawwassen, a 45-minute drive south from Vancouver via Highway 99.
The northern Gulf Islands of Gabriola, Denman, Hornby, Quadra, Cortes, Malcolm and Cormorant can only be reached by ferry from departure points on Vancouver Island. Catch a ferry to Vancouver Island from Tsawwassen, Horseshoe Bay or Powell River, then drive to the departure point for the island you wish to visit.
A word or two on your excursion:
- Rated: easy to moderate with some steep sections
- Approximate time required: varies by route
A word or two on safety:
- Roads to ferries are busy in summer - exercise caution
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Galloping Goose Trail
Caution: there's so much beautiful scenery along Galloping Goose Trail that you might forget to pedal! Biking along an old railway line, you'll pass farmland, a quiet cove and hidden lake, rocky outcrops, a Douglas-fir forest, marshes and more. Watch for wildlife - it's everywhere.
The 55-km (34-mi) trail starts at the Selkirk Trestle -a pedestrian bridge spanning the Gorge Waterway in Victoria West- and continues west to the community of Sooke. There, the trail turns north and continues to the old gold mining area of Leechtown.
From Downtown Victoria, cross the Johnson Street Bridge. Turn right onto the path that connects to Harbour Road and the trail.
Galloping Goose Trail is multi-use, so be prepared to share the trail with others from time to time.
A word or two on your excursion:
- Rated: easy
- Approximate time required: varies by route
> Galloping Goose Trail website.
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Seaside Cycling Route
The 11-km (7-mi) Seaside Cycling Route was developed specifically for visitors wishing to tour the city by bicycle. The route passes many major Victoria-area attractions, such as the Fairmont Empress Hotel, the Provincial Legislative Buildings and Beacon Hill Park. Hugging the shoreline all the way, you'll also enjoy frequent stunning ocean and mountain views.
Start at Victoria's Via Rail Station on Johnson Street and follow the sign posts along the city's Inner Harbour waterfront to the Ogden Point breakwater. Continue along the coastline through Oak Bay, Uplands and Cordova Bay.
This route connects to Lochside Trail and Galloping Goose Trail.
- A word or two on your excursion:
- Rated: easy to moderate
- Approximate time required: varies by route
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