Climb every mountainB次元官网网址� or stick to easier trails!
Victoria is a hikerB次元官网网址檚 paradise, with a variety of views from seaside to mountaintop and difficulty ranging from paved paths to steep climbs. Pick a trail that suits your goals, or crush them all over a season!
The big uphill sweat:
- Mount Finlayson: YouB次元官网网址檒l start in lush old-growth and celebrate on the exposed summit with 360-degree views. The real question is how do you get down? The top third of the Mount Finlayson is rocky cliff-face B次元官网网址� not exactly rock climbing, but youB次元官网网址檒l have to use your hands to clamber up. It makes for a fun challenge on the ascent, but can be hard on your knees (and your nerves) on the way down. Past the summit on the back side of the mountain youB次元官网网址檒l find a wider forest trail for a smoother descent B次元官网网址� it makes the hike longer, but itB次元官网网址檚 worth it.
- Mount Work: Take a long look at the map in the McKenzie Bight parking lot before you start B次元官网网址� the first few hundred metres of the trail are confusing! Once you navigate those junctions itB次元官网网址檚 smooth sailing and gruelling climbing the rest of the way. The forested summit doesnB次元官网网址檛 offer any views, but you can watch ships in Saanich Inlet and see south down the Peninsula from clearings before and after the summit.
- Jocelyn Hill: The nice thing about Jocelyn Hill is that you donB次元官网网址檛 have to start climbing right away B次元官网网址� give your body time to warm up! Park at McKenzie Bight (as you would for Mount Work) but walk 200 metres further down the road to find the Jocelyn Hill trailhead. After your flat warm-up prepare to climb steep sections all the way to viewpoints at Squally Reach and Jocelyn Hill.
All ages and abilities:
- Dallas Road Waterfront Pathway: Watch the dogs and the kites in , push your stroller on the paved oceanside path, or watch waves smash along the Ogden Point Breakwater. The perfect spot to soak up the rays on a sunny day!
- : Take the gravel walkway for a leisurely stroll, or drop down on the beach to comb for treasure. When the wind is right, take a seat on a hunk of driftwood and watch the wind surfers tumbling in the waves.
- : The trail around the lake is wide and smooth, but at 10 kilometres you may not want to do the whole thing. Watch out for horses, and see if you can catch the Canadian Olympic Rowing team training on the lake!
Smaller climbs:
- : Made famous by former royals Harry and Meghan when they visited in the winter of 2019-2020, the short, steep climb has a few cross-trails to give you options B次元官网网址� duck out early, or do some zig-zagging for a longer hike.
- : The Bear Hill Road access point has better parking, but you can also strike out from a trailhead on Central Saanich Road. ItB次元官网网址檚 a short, steep climb to great views across the Strait to the mainland.
Choose your own adventure:
Sometimes you donB次元官网网址檛 know how far you want to hike before you set out. These parks offer networks of trails and loops so you can find a length that suits your tastes, without doubling back.
- GoldstreamB次元官网网址檚 West Side: Park at the campground and dive in on the . Traipse the rolling terrain through lush rainforest, check out a waterfall or look for salmon running in the autumn. The trail is never flat, but itB次元官网网址檚 not too gruelling either.
- 冉脕U, WEL峁圗W瘫/John Dean Provincial Park: Trails wind through old-growth cedar and rocky Garry oak groves, with an interesting mix of artifacts to keep things interesting. Find remnants of pioneer John DeanB次元官网网址檚 life on the mountain, as well as culturally modified trees from the many coastal Indigenous nations who continue to harvest cedar bark for art and clothing. Trails are well-signed, but expect to spend a bit of time staring at B次元官网网址榶ou are hereB次元官网网址� maps before you get your bearings. 冉脕U, WEL峁圗W瘫 is
- Pkols/Mount Douglas: Beach, forest or mountaintop: take your pick, because Pkols has all three. Opt for a wide path with room for bikes or a stroller, clamber up something steep, or just drive to the summit! Navigating can be challenging, so to follow the blue dot on your phone.
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