10 of the Best Hikes near Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is for outdoorsy folks.
Vancouver Island is a natural escape for explorers. Wild waves curl for surfers, dense forests provide the perfect setting for camping trips and towering mountains beckon to eager hikers. Situated on the coastline, British Columbia’s capital Victoria is the gateway to several awesome hikes in the area.
Here are our 10 favourite trails:
1. Mount Tolmie
Saanich
Alan Sandercock Flickr cc by 2.0
Trail Length: 1.2 km round-trip
Elevation Gain: 45 m
Mount Tolmie is a beautiful hike offering one of the best views of Victoria from the summit. There is a road that winds up the mountain leading almost all the way to the top and stopping at many different parking lots. Hikers can choose to climb the mountain starting from the very bottom or from various trailheads located by the parking lots at intervals up the mountain.
How to Access the Trailhead: victoriatrails.com/mount-tolmie
Distance from Downtown Victoria: 6 km
2. Upper and Lower Thetis Lake Trail
Thetis Lake Regional Park
Christina Flickr cc by 2.0
Trail Length: 5 km round-trip
Elevation Gain: 30 m
Loop around two lakes along wide, flat trails, shaded by evergreen trees. Visitors can spend the day hiking and then cool off with a refreshing swim. Bring a picnic or a canoe to make it a full-day adventure.
How to Access the Trailhead: crd.bc.ca/thetis-lake
Distance from Downtown Victoria: 9.8 km
3. Niagara Falls Trail
Goldstream Provincial Park
Jason Langlois Flickr cc by 2.0
Trail Length: 1.3 km round-trip
Elevation Gain: 25 m
Goldstream Provincial Park has something for everyone to enjoy. The main attraction of this park is BC’s very own Niagara Falls! This smaller version of the historic Niagara Falls in Ontario is an impressive 47.5 meters tall (but much less wide than its namesake). Further down the trail, hikers will reach Goldstream Trestle. It’s advised not to cross this trestle as there are no railings but it is still a beautiful sight that stretches right across Niagara Canyon.
How to Access the Trailhead: victoriatrails.com/niagara-falls
Distance from Downtown Victoria: 19 km
4. Mount Finlayson
Langford
Andy S Flickr cc by 2.0
Trail Length: 4 km round-trip
Elevation Gain: 410 m
Mount Finlayson is a popular hike for those wishing to get a serious workout. On the way up, sweaty hikers will be shadowed by a large and lush forest canopy. It’s a steep mountain but the beautiful views of the surrounding Langford area make it all very worthwhile.
How to Access the Trailhead: victoriatrails.com/mount-finlayson
Distance from Downtown Victoria: 19 km
5. Mount Douglas
Saanich
Andy S Flickr cc by 2.0
Trail Length: 4 km round-trip
Elevation Gain: 205 m
This is a moderate hike which offers stunning panoramic ocean views of Cordova Bay. Follow Irvine Trail, which begins and ends right by a beach. Visitors can hike up the mountain and finish the day off relaxing by the ocean.
How to Access the Trailhead: victoriatrails.com/mount-douglas
Distance from Downtown Victoria: 10 km
6. Kinsol Trestle
Shawnigan Lake
Trail Length: 1.3 km one-way
Kinsol Trestle is actually one of the tallest free-standing bridges made of wood in the whole world! In fact, it’s currently the highest wood trestle along the Cowichan Valley Trail route. Stretching out across the Koksilah River, hikers will get incredible forest and valley views from atop the amazing structure. It’s an easy hike and equipped with many picnic areas perfect for families and friends to enjoy together.
How to Access the Trailhead: cvrd.bc.ca/Kinsol-Trestle
Distance from Downtown Victoria: 47.7 km
7. Jocelyn Hill Trail via Caleb Pike
Gowlland Tod Provincial Park
brewbooks | Flickr cc by sa 2.0
Trail Length: 10 km round-trip
Elevation Gain: 210 m
Jocelyn Hill is one of the more popular trails located in Gowlland Todd Provincial Park. Accessing this trail via Caleb Pike is the shorter of two different ways to get to Jocelyn Hill. It’s a steep hike that passes Holmes Peak and follows a Ridge Trail as well but the views of the Saanich Arm are well worth the climb!
How to Access the Trailhead: victoriatrails.com/jocelyn-hill-caleb-pike
Distance from Downtown Victoria: 21.6 km
8. Durrance Lake
Mount Work Regional Park
Hardo Müller | Flickr cc by sa 2.0
Trail Length: 1.7 km loop
Elevation Gain: 18 m
Durrance Lake is a popular and easy hiking area very close to Victoria. Durrance is the most accessible of three lakes in Mount Work Park and offers visitors an enchanting forest trail along with its refreshing waters. This lake is a popular swimming hole and fishing area.
How to Access the Trailhead: victoriatrails.com/durrance-lake
Distance from Downtown Victoria: 18.3 km
9. Sooke Potholes
Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
a.poll_o | Flickr cc by sa 2.0
Trail Length: 3 km round-trip
Elevation Gain: 70 m
The pools that hikers can view or swim in were formed due to glacial activity that took place over 15,000 years ago and have rightly earned their ‘pothole’ nickname. This park is extremely popular with locals who typically visit for day trips.
How to Access the Trailhead: env.gov.bc.ca
Distance from Downtown Victoria: 39.6 km
10. Juan de Fuca Marine Trail
Juan de Fuca Provincial Park
Kati Jenson | Flickr cc by 2.0
Trail Length: 47 km one-way
Elevation Gain: 948 m (total combined)
The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail traces the Pacific Ocean at the western edge of Vancouver Island. There are different trailheads, but hiking from China Beach to Botanical Beach makes for an epic multi-day trek. Just make sure to stay up to date on tidal information as there are times of day when high tide can be dangerous for adventurers.
How to Access the Trailhead: hikebiketravel.com
Distance from Downtown Victoria: 86.7 km
Which of these Victoria trails have you hiked?
Did your favourite make the list?
Comment below!
PS. Did these 10 awesome hikes inspire you to get outside and live the adventure?
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