Hiking trails and wonderful walks - Around Victoria

CRD Parks

West Song Walkway
This is a half hour ocean-side walk past sea birds, ducks, song birds and beautiful landscapes. Start from Across the Harbour B&B, go past the marina and follow the water's edge. Watch kayaks, canoes, rowers, float planes, ferries, ships and barges. In twenty minutes you will pass a neighbourhood brewpub, look at the lights on the Parliament Buildings, the Empress Hotel, and other downtown buildings, then pass a hotel/spa, and you will see the blue Johnson Street bridge. Downtown is on the other side of the bridge. This bridge lifts to allow barges or large vessels through.

Galloping Goose Trail
60 km (45 miles) in length, access is only 10 minutes by bike away. Selkirk Station Bike Rentals (home of Switch Bridge Tours) is located at the start of the "Goose" and they provide a free pick up service for guests of Across the Harbour. A relatively flat, comfortable trail on an old railroad bed offering diverse landscapes including the pedestrian biking bridge that crosses the ocean, the scenic rural municipality of Metchosin and the Sooke Potholes, a small cascading river with a series of swimming holes. The trail starts at the blue Johnson Street bridge downtown (10 minutes by bike from Across the Harbour). The trail is frequented by cyclists, joggers, hikers, walkers and roller bladers alike and the trail intersects various transit routes including the Peninsula Trails. Victoria's low floor buses on four major routes are bike equipped so you can get to these locations quickly and easily. Maps are available from Across the Harbour B&B.

Don't miss the many detours for swimming in local lakes or sitting down to a picnic lunch in one of our many parks. You can also detour to a trail that ends up in the town of Sidney, north of Victoria.

East Sooke Park
(40 minute drive) This park offers hikers everything from casual half-hour walks to challenging full-day treks. For an easy two-hour hike, take the Coast Trail from Aylard Farm to the ancient rock carvings at Alldridge Point. On the return trip, stop for a refreshing swim at Aylard Beach. More experienced hikers may want to take the seven-hour route along the Coast Trail from Pike Road to Aylard Farm. Consult a park map before heading out and be sure to allow enough time to return to your car before dark. For more information call (250) 478-3344.

Goldstream Park
(30 minute drive) A magnificent park with an extensive network of hiking trails winding through old-growth temperate rain forests, majestic waterfalls and a fascinating diversity of plant and animal life. The park is also famous for the run of spawning salmon in the fall. You can walk along the river to view the salmon and each year parks naturalists run programs in the visitor centre, (Freeman King Nature House), near the mouth of the river. At the height of the run in mid-November, eagles arrive to indulge in a salmon feast and more than 250 can show up in a single day. It is best to view the eagles using binoculars or a telescope from the new viewing platform. Goldstream's visitors centre is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily and offers a picnic site, and a 160-site camping area. For more information call (250) 478-9414.

Saltspring Island
A day trip to Saltspring Island can be enjoyable. The Saturday Market is wonderful in the summertime. An easy hiking trail on Salt Spring Island is Duck Creek, located .5 km along Sunset Drive, off Vesuvius Bay Road. A clearly marked 2 km loop trail popular for families with small children. Longer and more challenging hiking trails can be found at the south end of the island on Mount Tuam and Mount Bruce. These trails can lead to fantastic views, but if you are planning on exploring this area, a map and a compass are recommended. Salt Spring and many of the Gulf Islands offer excellent cycling trails also.

Saxe Point Park and Fleming Beach
Lovely places to stroll on the ocean. Just 5 minutes by car from Across the Harbour.

Albert Head Lagoon Regional Park
17 acres located at Delgada Road in Metchosin. A small lagoon with cobble beach serving as a wildlife sanctuary and refuge for birds; offers views of Victoria and the distant Olympic Mountains. 20 minutes from Across the Harbour.

Devonian Regional Park
32 acres, located on William Head Road in Metchosin. This small nature sanctuary includes a mixed woodland along a winding creek, a cobble beach,and spectacular views of Juan de Fuca Strait. 25 minutes from Across the Harbour.

Witty's Lagoon Park
Located off Metchosin Road in Metchosin about a half-hour drive from Victoria. Wonderful beachcombing and picnicking area with excellent nature trails. A large lagoon with sandy beach overlooking rocky headlands and offshore islets, offering excellent year-round birdwatching, hiking, beachcombing, horse riding, swimming,and picnicking. Even the rainy season is a good time to visit the park as that is when the park's spectacular Sitting Lady Falls are at their best. 25 minutes from Across the Harbour.

Francis/King Regional Park
Located on Munn Road in Saanich and features a quiet old growth park of gentle woodland trails, wildflower meadows, and access boardwalk trail. The park also boasts a new and improved wheelchair-accessible trail, the Elsie King Interpretive Trail, which features hard-packed gravel paths and boardwalks with trailside signs to enhance your outing in the park. Facilities include washrooms, parking, picnic tables and a nature house that is open from noon to 4 pm on weekends and holiday Mondays.

Frances King Regional Park can be reached by taking Douglas Street north to Burnside Road. Turn right and follow Burnside until you reach Prospect Lake Road. Turn right and follow Prospect Lake Road to Munn Road. 35 minutes from Across the Harbour.

Gowland Tod Provincial Park
Located in the Highland District, the park encompasses 1200 hectares of Garry Oak, Arbutus and Douglas Fir forests with more than 25 kilometres (16 miles) of hiking trails. All trails lead to incredible ocean views and wonderful spots to stretch out and have a picnic. Moderately strenuous hikes to Jocelyn Hill from two different trailheads. Allow four to five hours for the hike. Hiking boots or shoes and rainwear are a good idea and don't forget to pack a lunch! 25 minutes from Across the Harbour.

Mount Work Regional Park
Located on Willis Point Road in the Highlands with trails, parking and pit washrooms. A popular recreation spot offering a variety of landscapes and activities. Three freshwater lakes (for swimming, canoeing, and fishing), 11 km -of trails through forest to the summit of Mount Work. 40 minutes from Across the Harbour.