The tougher the uphill climb, the bigger the reward for Natalie Kingwell.
The Saanich resident is a regular long-distance runner and avid hiker on some of Greater VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 more rugged and scenic landscapes, such as Mount Finlayson in Goldstream Provincial Park.
B次元官网网址淚f IB次元官网网址檓 going on a hike I want it to be hard and challenging,B次元官网网址� she says of tackling the 419-metre summit.
B次元官网网址淲hen I get to the top I want it to be B次元官网网址榶es.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
That says something coming from someone who is afraid of heights and never regularly jogged until two years ago.
She had already been running shorter distances when friends took her up Mount Finlayson.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 amazing,B次元官网网址� Kingwell says of the view. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 so beautiful. You see all of Victoria and the ocean and the mountains.B次元官网网址�
She is now a regular fixture there, and chooses the steeper trails to get to one of the highest peaks in Greater Victoria, which offers unobstructed views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic mountain range.
Other breathtaking views in the Capital Region can be admired from lookouts atop Mount Douglas and Mount Tolmie in Saanich and from sea level at ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 Esquimalt Lagoon.
Gowlland Tod Provincial Park offers magnificent views of Finlayson Arm and the Saanich Inlet.
Breathtaking scenery can also be soaked up from the Malahat Drive observation points, Clover Point in Victoria, WittyB次元官网网址檚 Lagoon regional park in Metchosin and Little Saanich Mountain, home to the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory.
Esquimalt also boasts Highrock Park, the townshipB次元官网网址檚 highest point of land.
A year ago Kingwell joined a running group that regularly tackles steeper inclines in Greater Victoria to improve strength and stamina.
B次元官网网址淰ictoria is the perfect place for people (who like to) exercise outside,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淭he weather here is great, even when itB次元官网网址檚 raining. ItB次元官网网址檚 never cold enough to bother anybody.B次元官网网址�
The Galloping Goose regional trail has served her as an important gateway to scenic beauty, as has the Westsong Walkway, stretching along the waterfront between Victoria and Esquimalt.
Elk and Beaver lakes also provide Kingwell with a lovely view as she runs along the 10-kilometre looped path.
B次元官网网址淚 like running where it looks pretty,B次元官网网址� she says.
B次元官网网址淵ou forget this is where we live. ItB次元官网网址檚 so beautiful.B次元官网网址�
emccracken@vicnews.com
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