Visitors come from far and wide to visit Victoria BC. Victoria is world renowned for its first class restaurants and accommodations. But besides the grandeur and sophistication that downtown Victoria BC has to offer there is another reason why people flock to this city, ecotourism and hiking.
There are some great Victoria BC hikes to be explored. If you are downtown and would like a leisurely stroll, the Songhees Walkway is a great place to stretch your legs. This hike starts at the foot of the Johnson St. bridge and winds for a few kilometers along the inner harbour. This is a busy little harbour, you can watch the ships sail in and out, the seaplanes roaring up into the sky and the wildlife; herons, ducks, geese, otters, seals and sometimes even the odd raccoon. There is another great Victoria BC hike starting at the breakwater at Ogden Point. You can walk out onto the breakwater that stretches out into the harbour or walk the few kilometers down Dallas Rd. and explore the coastline and picturesque coves. The view is spectacular, with Victoria and the park on one side and the Strait of Juan De Fuca on the other, watch ships and freighters make there way along the strait under the postcard perfect backdrop of the Olympic Mountain Range.
Perhaps something a little more challenging tickles your fancy. Just outside of Victoria BC there are many great places to hike. You can walk around Beaver and Elk lake, its a 10 kilometer loop just off of the Pat Bay Hwy. Witty's Lagoon is light but is very beautiful, you'll walk past waterfalls and through rain forest down to a sandy lagoon. Many people picnic, sunbath and explore this area, the way back is up hill and you can work up a bit of a sweat. Thetis Lake Park has many backwoods hiking trails, you can walk around the lake, up along top of the mountain ridge that surrounds it or even further past the lake deep into the rain forest.
Hard core hikers listen up, when your done pussyfooting around those other hikes then it will be time to test your endurance and will. You will start at Mt. Finlayson, this mountain is in Goldstream Park and goes from sea level to 475 meters, switch back trails and a fair amount of scrambling is involved. Next you'll move onto the Jaun De Fuca Marine Trail. Though the walk down to Mystic beach during the first leg can be a memorable day hike, you can continue on for 3-5 days along the coast stopping at designated campsites and exploring the tidal pools and estuaries along the way. Now that you are warmed up it is time for la pièce de résistance, The West Coast Trail.
A step up from its little brother the Jaun De Fuca Marine Trail, the West Coast Trail is a world renowned challenge that will test the will of any soul who dare tread upon its sacred earth. Originally it was an escape route for sailors from sunk ships but now has been linked together to form a single trail. In order to complete this trail you will have to traverse 70 ladders, 130 bridges, 4 cable cars and 1 ferry. Most people consider this an adventure of a lifetime.
Our season tends to be longer than the rest of Canada`s, you can practically hike all year round. If you are the outdoorsy type you will love Hiking in Victoria BC.http://www.victoriabcca.com/
