 Selkirk Trestle, Galloping Goose Trail, Tom Ryan photo Enjoy Victoria itself along Beach Drive and Dallas Road, or get closer to nature by cycling farther out along Galloping Goose Trail or Lochside Trail. You'll find the beauty and variety of scenery exceptional on all these routes.
A word or two on your excursion:
- Bicycles are permitted on many transit services
- Rentals are available from several locations in downtown Victoria
A word or two on safety:
- Bicycle helmets are mandatory in BC
- Lights are required at night
- Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers
• Obey posted signs and keep to designated trails
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 website.
Lochside Trail
Winding past beaches, wetlands, farms and suburban backyards, the 29-km (18-mi) Lochside Trail is an enjoyable combination of wild and cultivated natural beauty. The mostly off-road trail was built on the bed of an old railway line that once linked Victoria to Patricia Bay.
From downtown Victoria, follow the Galloping Goose Trail to the Switch Bridge in Saanich. Turn right and follow Lochside Trail north towards Sidney and the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.
From the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, follow the signs for Lochside Regional Trail.
Lochside 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 to moderate
- Approximate time required: varies by route
> Lochside Trail website.
Seaside Touring Route
The 11-km (7-mi) Seaside Touring 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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