This blog post is a continuation of my last one and is Part 2 of my My Top 12 Hikes Around Greater Victoria (in no specific order and with a few extras at the end). One of my most favouritest things to do is being active outside. I feel complete wellness when nourishing my body with healthy movement outside in nature with fresh air and beautiful views. It is truly soul healing. For me, hiking is one form of self care that I choose in order to disconnect, soothe my nervous system, and re-centre. One of the things I absolutely love about Victoria, and just Vancouver Island in general, is the accessibility to hiking trails. You can drive 15 minutes or you can drive 6 hours to find a place to move your body outside. And remember we are just visitors to these places. Respect the environment and nature you are in. Pack out any litter, dog poop bags, and food you bring in. Also make sure you are bear and cougar aware and know what to do when encountering wildlife (check it out here if you are not sure).
MCKENZIE BIGHT LOOP + CASCADE FALLS
Length of hike: 3-3.5KM
Difficulty: moderate
Location: Ross Durrance Rd, Victoria (30-35 mins from downtown Victoria)
About: Although not a super long hike this one does have some steep incline on the way back up. Starting from the parking lot enter the trail across the road. I recommend going counterclockwise so on the way down it is a less steep gravel path and then on the way up a steeper incline with stairs. The trail will lead you down to McKenzie Bight. Explore the beach area and the few paths and views to the right of the beach are a great spot for a picnic, then cross the bridge and head up the Cascade trail. This will lead you past some beautiful old growth trees, up the stairs and the waterfall will be on the left. There are a few benches on the way up if you need a spot to rest. When you get to the junction at the top go left to head back to the parking lot through the forest or go right towards Mount Work and Jocelyn Hill if you want to extend the hike for another 8-10+km.
MATHESON LAKE
Length of hike: Just under 4km
Difficulty: easy-moderate
Location: end of Matheson Lake Park Rd
About: This is a forested loop trail with several ups and downs and nice views of the lake from all angles. I always like going clockwise to do the slightly steeper ups and down climb at the beginning. There is also a small beach and you can SUP here as well.
MYSTIC BEACH
Length of hike: 4km there and back
Difficulty: moderate- challenging
Location: 47 Juan De Fuca Hwy, Port Renfrew. Upper China Beach Parking lot (approx. 1.5 hr drive from downtown Victoria)
About: Although this hike is a bit farther from Victoria it made the list because it is so incredibly beautiful. Parking in the upper China Beach parking lot you go down to the trail head going to Mystic beach (Not China Beach…China Beach is nice…Mystique Beach is nicer in my opinion haha). It is one end of the Juan de Fuca Trail. The trail is well travelled and winds through the beautiful rainforest, across a suspension bridge, then down some fallen tree carved stairs to the magnificent Mystic Beach. At one end there is a cascading waterfall flowing from the cliffside and at the other there is a cave with many made Inuksuk and then the Juan de Fuca continues on to Bear Beach (7-8km further). The full JDF trail is 47km that you can do in 4-5 days camping along the way, but for just a day trip Mystic Beach is perfect. I recommend stopping at Shirley Delicious (Yes, yes it is J) for some coffee, yummy snacks and even lunch for when you get down to the beach. Stoked Pizza is also another fave place to stop on the way home as well. Make sure you have proper footwear as the trail is mostly covered by the forest canopy and can be quite muddy. Also NOTE: do not leave any valuables in your car. Just doing the hike for the day you should be okay but I know people that have had their vehicles robbed (both for what is in the vehicle as well as the vehicle itself!). The RCMP is aware of the thieves but it is a high crime area, as they know many people leave their vehicles to do the hike for a few days.
SUGARLOAF + TOWNSEND HILL LOOP
Length of hike: 6.5km loop
Difficulty: moderate-challenging
Location: Sooke Hills Wilderness Park Parking lot, 3878 Sooke Rd, Victoria (approx. 35 mins from downtown Victoria)
About: This hike is a bit longer and not really well marked but I love that the trails are among the big trees and green green forest. When Jarad and I did this hike we took our time taking many stops to have snacks and even brought our JetBoil to make and enjoy coffee. The views of the Sooke Hills from the top of Townsend and Sugarloaf are pretty nice but be mindful of loose gravel and slippery rocks if it has been raining.
SOOKE POTHOLES
Length of hike: varies
Difficulty: easy
Location: Sooke River Road (approx. 50-60 mins from downtown Victoria)
About: There are multiple small short trails leading to viewpoints and swim spots (make sure the water is not super high, rushing or strong. A few people have drowned here. If you are going to swim pick a spot further upstream where the current is not as strong) from the different parking lots. The full Sooke Potholes Riverside Trail is an easy trail that follows along the River. You can go for however long you want and turn back when you feel like it. There are also some picnic tables and gravel areas to sit, relax and enjoy.
OLD BALDY MOUNTAIN
Length of hike: approximately 3.4km
Difficulty: moderate- challenging
Location: this trail is located in Shawnigan lake. Park by the yellow gate on Strathcona Heights Rd. (45-60 mins from downtown Victoria
About: This hike has quite the incline at the beginning. It is quite steep with some rock faces that could be challenging for some. It is a steep start but the views at the top of the lake and surrounding areas are beautiful. There is also a secret little swing just before the summit.
And an extra just for fun...
MOUNT FINLAYSON
Length of hike: 3.5km out and back
Difficulty: challenging
Location: main parking lot in Goldstream Provincial park (40 mins from downtown Victoria off of Trans-Canada Highway)
About: Mount Finn is a challenging hike that starts across the bridge from the main parking lot. Almost immediately once on the trail the incline begins through the forest and then up some open rock faces. It is quite the climb with a good workout leading to spectacular views of the city, ocean, and mountains as well as the large developing neighbourhood of Bear Mountain. Enjoy a picnic at the summit then carefully make your way down…Ps the rocks can be quite slippery when wet!
Also a few honourable mentions that are not necessarily hikes but nice walks to do in Greater Victoria: Macaulay Point Park and Saxe Point Park (both located in Esquimalt), Swan lake (loop trail in nature reserve in swamp like area in Saanich), Songhees Point (p’álәc’әs) and walkway (waterfront paved trail in Victoria just past Johnson St. Bridge), Cattle Point and Willows Beach Walkway in Oak Bay along the water, and obviously I have mentioned before but Beacon Hill Park, Ogden Point, and Dallas road are great ones in town too!
Shine Bright Beauties.
Much love.
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