Hiking

Victoria's Hiking Location

Victoria is nearly fully surrounded by water with the Pacific Ocean's Juan de Fuca Strait bordering its southwest side, the Haro Strait to the southeast and the Gorge Waterway slicing its way from the city's inner harbour into Portage Inlet. Add to that some key elevations only minutes from downtown such as Mount "Doug" and hikers realize nearly endless waterfront trails and viewpoints.

Wildlife-spotting on Hikes

Black-tailed deer, black bears, cougars, bald eagles, blue herons and peregrine falcons are just a few creatures to watch for. And keep an eye along the waterfront where river otters, spawning salmon, seals and sea lions can be seen splashing around. For a look at intertidal life, check out the many tidal pools that dot the city's coastline at low tide.

Getting to the Trails

Victoria is literally surrounded by hiking trails so finding one to suit your needs is easy. Challenging routes offering 360 degree summit views begin right inside the city with many others accessible by public transportation. Guided hiking tours are available and local experts can highlight much of the area's unique vegetation and hidden gems. Many trails are accessible via public transportation.

Hiking Gear and Getting Prepared

Stores along Government Street offer several places to shop for outdoor gear, including Mountain Equipment Co-op. Many stores, such as Sports Rent, provide rental gear and local bookstores stock a variety of books to assist those choosing the self-guided option. Visitor Centres and park entrances offer trail maps.

Choose a Trail

Easy
Galloping Goose Trail 
East Sooke Regional Park, Aylard Farm
Sooke Potholes Provincial and Regional Parks

Intermediate
Mount Douglas Regional Park
Gowlland Tod Provincial Park

Advanced
East Sooke Regional Park, Coast Trail
Goldstream Provincial Park, Mount Finlayson

East Sooke Regional Park

There are many trails to choose from at East Sooke Regional Park, some challenging, all breathtaking. Forest, jagged coastlines, rocky bays, pocket beaches and inspiring views of Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains await you. Birdwatchers: look for bald eagles, turkey vultures and red-tailed hawks. East Sooke provides trails that stretch 10km/6.2mi along the coastline and 40km/25mi in forest and inland routes.

East Sooke Regional Park is approximately a one-hour drive west of Victoria via Highway 14. There are three starting points in the park: Anderson Cove, Pike Road and Aylard Farm.

• The Aylard Farm Trail is rated as easy
• The Coast Trail is rated as difficult
• Best Time: While the park is open year round, the most ideal times for hiking are from late-April to mid-October
• Approximate time required: varies by route

Galloping Goose Regional Trail

Galloping Goose Trail follows an old railway line past farmland, a quiet cove and hidden lake, rocky outcrops, a Douglas-fir forest, marshland and more. The 55-km/34-mi trail links to several parks, with wildlife evident everywhere. The trails here are rated easy, and the time requires varies by route.

From Victoria West, start out at the Selkirk Trestle and follow the trail west to Sooke. There, turn north and continue to the old gold mining area of Leechtown. From downtown Victoria, cross the Johnson Street Bridge. Turn right onto the paved path that connects to Harbour Road and the trail. Galloping Goose Trail is multi-use, so be prepared to share the road with others from time to time.

Goldstream Provincial Park

Massive, 600-year-old cedars, rare plants, elevated viewpoints, salmon streams and frequent eagle sightings attract many hikers to Goldstream Provincial Park. Notable hikes include the forested Upper Goldstream Trail (easy); Lower Goldstream Trail (easy), a good trail for wildlife viewing (salmon, eagles, mink, otter); and Gold Mine Trail (moderate), which features 48-m/156-ft Niagara Falls, a railway trestle and an old gold mine shaft.

The most challenging trail in the park is the Mt. Finlayson Trail (difficult) a three-hour, roundtrip, hike that begins in a Douglas-fir forest and passes through groves of arbutus and oak before getting considerably steeper on its way up to the mountain's 419-m/1,375-ft summit. Beautiful views of Finlayson Arm, Victoria and the Bear Mountain Golf Resort await you at the top. Be sure to dress appropriately, stay on the marked trail and allow adequate time for a daylight return.

A pre-hike stop at the park's Visitor Centre is highly recommended. It has a wildlife viewing platform and an indoor "salmon cam" with an underwater view of fish in the Goldstream River. It also operates an "eagle cam" in winter.

Goldstream Provincial Park is a 20 to 25-minute drive northwest of downtown Victoria via Highway 1. The park is open year round but October through November is the best time for viewing salmon. Visit November through January to view eagles. Best time for hiking is March to October.

• Goldstream Provincial Park is rated as easy to difficult
• Best Time: While the park is open year round, the most ideal times for hiking are from late-April to mid-October
• Approximate time required: 15 minutes to 3 hours
• Trail maps are available at the park's Visitor Centre

Gowlland Tod Provincial Park

The 25km/16mi of trails in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park protects a large portion of the Gowlland Range, a biologically diverse area that is home to more than 150 plant and animal species. Highlights of the landscape include old-growth Douglas-fir forest, grassy meadows, moss-covered knolls and spring wildflowers. The trail network includes hiking-only and multi-use routes.

Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy hiking the Gowlland Range, a unique, 430-m/1,411-ft fjord that replenishes its marine waters just once a year. Commonly sighted species there include bald eagle, blue heron, peregrine, falcon, black-tailed deer, river otter, red squirrel, black bear and cougar.

The Tod Inlet Trailhead provides access to a gentle trail system that passes old settlements associated with the Vancouver Portland Cement Company. Many hikers rest and/or picnic once they reach the inlet. The Mckenzie Bight/Caleb Pike Trails wind through mature forest and along the seashore. Both of these moderate-to-difficult hikes can be extended by taking connecting trails to Mount Finlayson in Goldstream Provincial Park.

Gowlland Tod Provincial Park is a 25-minute drive north from Victoria via Highway 17. The park is accessible year round.

• Gowlland Tod is rated as easy to difficult
• Best Time: While the park is open year round, the most ideal times for hiking are from late-April to mid-October
• Approximate time required: 1 – 4 hours

Mount Douglas Regional Park

Rated as intermediate over all (with hikes that range from 30 minutes to 4 hours), some of Mount Doug's trails climb 213m/700ft to the mountain's summit and a stunning, 360-degree views of the surrounding area. Others lead to sandy Mount Douglas Beach, old mining facilities, and evergreen forests towering over a thick undergrowth of ferns. 
There are some excellent viewpoints on the Norn (easy) and Whittaker (moderate) Trails. The Merriman Trail (difficult) gets gradually steeper and more challenging as it climbs to the summit of Mount Douglas. On the Munson Trail, you'll find the remnants of an old mine, a rocky ridge and a Garry Oak meadow. The nearby Lochside Regional Trail can easily be accessed from the park.

Mount Douglas Regional Park is a 20-minute drive northeast from downtown Victoria. It's open year round, but visit in spring to see the wildflowers in bloom.

Sooke Potholes

Natural rock pools full of crystal-clear water attract many swimmers, picnickers and sun worshippers to the Sooke Potholes area. Hiking there will take you into two parks: Sooke Potholes Provincial Park and Sooke Potholes Regional Park. The trails here are rated as easy to intermediate. A network of unmarked trails that are about an hour or two each way in length, skirt the Sooke River and climb along a gorge. At points, connect to Galloping Goose Regional Trail and trails leading into Roche Cove Provincial Park and Matheson Lake Provincial Park.

Apart from the potholes, highlights of the trails include river views from elevated viewpoints along the gorge, pebbly beaches (some with picnic tables), forested areas near the river, a hidden waterfall, and a small wooden bridge over a salmon stream. The waterfall and bridge are just steps away from the provincial park parking lot. Native wildlife abounds. After the spring melt or a heavy rainfall the swollen, turbulent river is very impressive but exercise caution: water levels can change abruptly and debris in the water can be hazardous.

Sooke Potholes is a 50-minute drive west of downtown Victoria via Highway 14. The area is accessible year round but the best months for hiking are March through October. Visit in October to view spawning salmon.

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. The time to complete this easy trail varies by route.

Beacon Hill/Dallas Road/Ogden Point

This lovely, 6-km/3.6-mi city walk explores Beacon Hill Park, Ogden Point and the James Bay waterfront. Famous for its flower gardens, Beacon Hill Park also features duck ponds, playgrounds, a petting zoo, spray pools and tennis courts. Dallas Road, near Clover Point, is home to the cruise ship terminal and the breakwater, a popular spot for hang-gliding, windsurfing and kite flying. The James Bay waterfront borders one of Victoria's oldest neighbourhoods.

Walk south through Beacon Hill Park, follow Dallas Road west to Ogden Point and then along the waterfront. It takes approximately 1-2 hours to complete this easy trail.

Westsong Way

Westsong Way is a popular coastline walk that borders two charming residential neighbourhoods. The 6-km/3.6-mi roundtrip route offers enchanting views of the Inner Harbour and Olympic Mountains, with benches for sitting and resting along the way. There are many places to stop and enjoy a picnic. Westsong Way connects with Galloping Goose Trail and the Inner Harbour walkway at the Johnson Street Bridge.

Start at West Bay Marina in the township of Esquimalt and continue to the Johnson Street Bridge. This easy route takes approximately 1-2 hours to complete.

Practical Points and Hiking Safety

While Victoria's wilderness is very accessible, it is also rugged. Even trails within the city limits can be challenging and should be taken seriously. Proper planning, preparation, clothing and footwear appropriate to the conditions, and an adequate water and food supply are essential. Remember the following:

• Weather can change quickly, especially along coastal trails open to the Pacific Ocean.
• Dress in layers and bring wet-weather gear, no matter what season.
• Even the most popular, well-maintained trails can be rocky, tangled with roots, muddy and slippery. Wear hiking boots with good ankle and arch support.
• Trails that skirt the open ocean are subject to sea swells, and caution should be exercised during inclement weather.
• Please leave the area you visit undisturbed and carry out garbage. Cougars, bears and other wildlife inhabit the region. Do not get too close to or attempt to feed wild animals.

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