Prime 15 Simple Hikes in Victoria, BC

There are so many superior easy hikes in Victoria BC that for many who’re craving an outside escape stuffed with lush greenery, stunning vistas, and invigorating hikes, then you definitely positively’ve come to the becoming place.

Victoria, the capital metropolis of British Columbia, may be recognized for its picturesque harbour and historic construction, nevertheless hidden inside its pure magnificence lies a paradise for climbing followers. This metropolis on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, affords a superb variety of climbing trails and we’ll be specializing within the easy hikes in Victoria BC on this port.

These beginner-friendly hikes and trails in Victoria BC are glorious for a leisurely stroll or a family outing. While you’re looking out for more durable climbing trails near Victoria, my data to the biggest hikes on Vancouver Island has you lined.

We’ll cowl hikes such as a result of the Ogden Stage Breakwater path, Thetis Lake and quite a lot of the best walks in Goldstream Provincial Park.

While you’re looking out for easy climbing near Victoria BC, then be taught on!

What to know sooner than making an attempt this Victoria hikes

Sooner than embarking in your climbing adventures spherical Victoria, BC, listed under are some key elements to remember on walks in Victoria BC:

• On a regular basis study local weather conditions: Think about the native local weather forecast and put collectively accordingly. Victoria’s local weather could also be unpredictable, so pack layers, rain gear, and photo voltaic security to stay comfortable in altering conditions.
• Path maps and guides: Obtain detailed path maps and guides each on-line or from buyer centres. These property will help you navigate the paths, understand subject ranges, and discover elements of curiosity. I wish to make use of AllTrails.
• Path conditions and closures: Confirm for any path closures or restrictions sooner than heading out. This knowledge could also be found on internet sites, social media accounts of native parks, or by contacting park authorities.
• Mountaineering Instruments: Assure you’ll have the becoming gear for a safe and nice experience. This consists of right footwear, a backpack, a water bottle, snacks, navigation devices (compass or GPS), a major assist gear, and emergency requirements.
• Wildlife Consciousness: Victoria’s wilderness is dwelling to diversified wildlife species. Familiarize your self with native wildlife, be taught right wildlife etiquette, and carry bear spray in areas the place encounters may occur.
• Go away No Trace: Respect the environment by following Go away No Trace concepts. Pack out all your trash, carry on designated trails, and steer clear of damaging crops or disturbing wildlife habitats.
• Mountaineering Etiquette: Be considerate of various hikers on the paths. Yield to uphill hikers, protect a safe distance on slender paths and steer clear of loud noises which is able to disrupt the serenity of nature.
• Safety Precautions: Inform any person about your climbing plans, along with the trail establish and estimated return time. Carry a completely charged cellular telephone and a whistle for emergencies.
• Water Sources: Carry an ample water present, as some trails won’t have merely accessible water sources. Maintain hydrated all by your hike to forestall dehydration. I moreover pack a Sawyer water filter on my hikes to filter water from rivers and lakes.

Keep in mind, the target is to have a safe and nice climbing experience whereas having enjoyable with a hike in Victoria, BC and these climbing strategies will help!

AllTrails is my go-to climbing app for finding, planning, and navigating whereas I’m out on the paths. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you might be assured you’re nonetheless on target, even with out mobile signal.
Do extra outside with 50% on AllTrails till September twenty sixth

Best easy hikes Victoria BC

Ogden Stage Breakwater

• Distance: 1.6km
• Elevation: None
• Size: half-hour
• Path map on AllTrails

Ogden Stage Breakwater is the best place for a stroll alongside the coast and it’s notably beautiful at sunset. In precise truth, it’s actually certainly one of my favourite strolling trails Victoria has because you probably can go straight from city centre.

A easy stroll from downtown Victoria, this path begins from Dallas Freeway and takes you on a flat, accessible path alongside the water.

The trail is about 800 metres each means and on the end you’ll attain the Ogden Stage Lighthouse the place you probably can watch the ships, sailboats and seaplanes.

Protect your eyes open as you might catch a seal having fun with about throughout the waters!

Should you want to lengthen this stroll, you probably can proceed alongside Dallas Freeway, the place you’ll uncover some sandy seashores.

Thetis Lake

• Distance: 6.6 km
• Elevation: 141 metres
• Size: 1 – 2 hours
• AllTrails path map

Thetis Lake is throughout the beautiful rainforest of Vancouver Island and you might have the benefit of an easy hike to get to these lakes in Thetis Lake Regional Park.

There’s every a Lower and Larger Thetis Lake climbing path and this route ail takes you to every of them.

As you stroll on this largely flat path take time to breathe throughout the scents of the forest, and take heed to the birds.

Some elements of this path get busy since it’s a well-liked regional park near Victoria for climbing. There’s moreover a parking value of $2 a day on the parking lot for Thetis Lake.

Iron Mine Bay

• Distance: 9 km
• Elevation: 280 metres
• Size: 2-3 hours
• AllTrails path map

About an hour’s drive from downtown Victoria, this easy hike in East Sooke Park to Iron Mine Bay is an efficient place to go to as you probably can have the benefit of a swim at a sexy rocky seaside on the end!

At Iron Mine Bay you probably can sit and profit from the gorgeous panorama of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with the rugged silhouette of Washington State’s Olympic Nationwide Park on the horizon.

This loop I’ve linked above consists of every the Sooke Coast path and a path through the forest. You’ll need to take care alongside the coast as a result of the paths are slender, nevertheless while you’re on the forest path the hike is pretty easy.

You’ll hike this path in each path and you may even take a detour off the precept path and stroll alongside the rugged shoreline for even increased views.

Matheson Lake path

• Distance: 4 km
• Elevation: 74 metres
• Size: 1 hour
• AllTrails path map

While you’re in Victoria, one hike that you simply simply utterly ought to try is the Matheson Lake path. Take into consideration strolling through a vibrant inexperienced forest, then immediately catching a glimpse of glowing blue water between the bushes. Sounds dreamy, doesn’t it? That’s exactly the type of experience you get on this path.

This path is good for your complete family as a result of it’s pretty easy. You’ll uncover every forest and lakeside paths and the views are good, so this hike in Victoria BC will maintain everyone entertained.

The trail beautifully frames Matheson Lake and its tiny island. The trail connects to Roche Cove by the use of a creekside path and you can probably be a part of it with quite a lot of the well-known Galloping Goose trails.

It’s this combination of adventurous exploring and serene enjoyment that makes the Matheson Lake path in all probability the best hikes in Victoria BC.

Niagara Falls in Goldstream Provincial Park

• Distance: 0.5 km
• Elevation: 26 metres
• Size: quarter-hour
• Path map

In Goldstream Provincial Park lies a shock – Niagara Falls of British Columbia! Though not as grand as its Ontario namesake, these falls are nonetheless spectacular and nicely well worth the easy hike it takes to get there.

Niagara Falls on Vancouver Island is tucked away in a mossy forest and it’s in all probability the best Victoria hikes with waterfalls.

After a quick hike through the forest alongside Goldstream River, you’ll come out to a viewpoint of a tall, slender waterfall cascading over the rocks.

It’s slippery throughout the waterfalls so take care when attending to a spot to view them from.

Kinsol Trestle

• Distance: 3.1 km
• Elevation: 76 metres
• Size: 1 hour
• Map of AllTrails

The Kinsol Trestle throughout the Cowichan Valley near Shawnigan Lake is among the many coolest trestles in BC.

At a prime of 44 m and spanning 187 metres prolonged, this picket railway trestle is among the many world’s largest!

To get to Kinsol Trestle on Vancouver Island, you’ll take a flat and easy hike near Victoria BC that’s good for newcomers or these looking out for an easy stroll.

After about 20 minutes from the parking lot, you’ll come out to an house the place there are some picnic benches and a park house down by the river.

This stroll may be wheelchair and stroller accessible so it’s good for all the family.

Mount Tolmie Loop

• Dimension: 1.4 km
• Elevation: 50 m
• Size: 25 minutes
• Path map on AllTrails+

Mount Tolmie is among the many biggest places to look at the sunset near Victoria BC.

There are completely totally different routes as a lot because the summit and you might even drive numerous the means up in order for you!

Alongside this easy hike in Victoria, you’ll uncover diversified completely totally different viewpoints so it’s best to be able to uncover a sport the place you probably can profit from the views in peace.

On a clear day, you probably can see quite a lot of the mountains in Washington along with the Vancouver coast!

Lone Tree Hill

• Distance: 1.9 km
• Elevation: 130 m
• Size: 1 hour
• Map on AllTrails+

For a quick climbing path in Victoria with a rewarding payoff, look no extra than Lone Tree Hill. No prizes for guessing how this path obtained its establish!

This path takes about an hour to hike and on the prime, you’ll get a sexy 360-degree panorama of Gowlland Tod and the Highlands areas. It is also attainable to see Mount Finlayson along with the Juan de Fuca Strait.

Though largely easy, the trail has some steep sections, nevertheless they don’t remaining prolonged!

Tod Inlet Gowlland Tod Provincial Park

• Distance: 2.6 km
• Elevation: 44 m
• Size: 45 minutes
• Path map on AllTrails+

Inside the northern a part of Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, is Tod Inlet which has an fascinating historic previous.

As quickly as a bustling industrial site throughout the early 1900s, this limestone-rich house housed diversified quarries and infrastructures. Following the tip of the quarrying interval, the land expert a change and have grow to be the beautiful Butchart Gardens which is among the many biggest places to see in Victoria.

Entry to Tod Inlet requires a fragile 20-minute descent down a big path. Proper right here, you probably can uncover the remnants of earlier buildings and observe the jellyfish which will usually be seen throughout the water from the dock.

There’s moreover a narrower path which takes you to Tod Creek and up alongside the monetary establishment the place you’ll get some cool canyon views.

Jocelyn Hill

• Distance: 10.5 km
• Elevation: 454 m
• Size: 3.5 – 4 hours
• Path map on AllTrails+

That is among the many more durable hikes on this itemizing, nevertheless there’s not too technical and you might take breaks as you need. It’s worth sticking with it as a result of the view from Jocelyn Hill is beautiful!

You’ll start by climbing up through some thick forest, on an easy-to-follow path that’s well-marked.

There’s moreover a cool tunnel you’ll transfer through on this path!

It’s widespread to see bears in between Holmes Peak and Caleb Pike, so make sure to hike in groups when venturing extra out into the paths and make noise from spring through fall.

It is also attainable to shorten this path by merely going over to Holmes Peak in its place. This misses the swing nevertheless it’s not faraway from Holmes Peak so you can probably merely stroll to the swing and once more proper all the way down to the trailhead.

Outdated Baldy Mountain

• Distance: 3.4 km
• Elevation: 219 m
• Size: 1.5 hours
• Path map on AllTrails+

Outdated Baldy Mountain is well-known for its tree swing and delightful views all through Shawnigan Lake. This hike throughout the Cowichan Valley near Victoria is a neighborhood favourite on Vancouver Island.

There are a selection of trails that take you to the summit of Outdated Baldy Mountain and this loop route takes you on the steep path earlier the ywllo gate and a easy path on one of the best ways down. You could swap this spherical and hike in reverse for many who like, nevertheless personally,, I desire a neater descent.

There’s a little bit little bit of a scramble required near the very best and the trail can get very busy at sunset and on weekends in summer season so don’t anticipate to get it to your self completely.

Island View Seashore

• Distance: 2.3 km
• Elevation: minimal
• Time: 0.5 hours
• Path map on AllTrails+

Stretching alongside the Haro Strait shores, Island View Seashore is an efficient easy hike and incorporates a dose of historic previous too!

While you maintain your eyes peeled you might see some fossils throughout the rocks with some believed to be over 20,000 years earlier!

While you’re an avid hen watcher you might get lucky and see some eagles along with red-throated loons too.

The seaside path is flat and easy and takes you via Tsawout First Nation territory. Alongside the route and on the end, you’ll come out to good views of the Haro Strait and shut by islands.

Mount Douglas

• Distance: 4 km
• Elevation: 232 m
• Size: 2 hours
• AllTrails+ map

The Mount Douglas path in Saanich is among the many biggest hikes near Victoria BC. It’s a popular easy climbing path that gives you 360-degree views of Downtown Victoria, Saanich, and the scenic Haro Strait.

This path takes you on the Whittaker Path, nevertheless there are numerous totally different routes that you can probably take to make it to Mount Douglas. It’s a quick nevertheless sweet hike that options an elective scramble should you want to take the shortcut to the very best.

Sooke Potholes

• Distance: 8.9 km
• Elevation: 235 m
• Size: 2-3 hours
• AllTrails+ map

The Sooke Potholes are a superb cool submit on Vancouver Island you can go to all yr spherical.

A easy path takes you out to a gaggle of rock swimming swimming pools the place you probably can bathe throughout the waters in summer season, or watch salmon throughout the fall.

It is also attainable to lengthen this hike near Victoria to East Sooke Regional Park the place you’ll uncover a substantial amount of trails. You’ll uncover forests, pebbly seashores and tide swimming swimming pools and, on clear days, see views of the Olympic Mountains throughout the US.

It’s the combo of swimming holes and views that make this in all probability the best climbing trails Victoria BC has to provide.

The trail map above is on the Riverside path and you might make it as prolonged or transient as you need. Merely earlier the Sand Pebble Seashore house on the AllTrails map is the place you’ll uncover some good potholes.

Larger Goldstream Falls Path

• Distance: 2.9 km
• Elevation: 78 m
• Size: 45 minutes to 1 hour
• AllTrails+ map

The hike to Goldstream Falls in Goldstream Provincial Park is among the many biggest easy hikes in Victoria British Columbia.

It’s a popular route so it’s not a superb selection for many who’re looking out for hidden hikes Victoria has, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly worthwhile.

You’ll get to experience towering bushes and the spectacular waterfall as you stroll alongside the river. Within the summertime, the waterfall’s pool even provides you the chance to have the benefit of a refreshing swim! Merely make sure to’re each sporting water footwear or tread cautiously, as a result of the rocks can get pretty slippery.

What to pack for climbing Victoria BC

What to pack for this hike is decided by what season you’re climbing in.

• Check out my day hike packing itemizing proper right here.
• While you’re climbing in summer season it’s best to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, layers, water and bug spray along with all of the items throughout the 10 requirements for climbing itemizing.
• Proper right here is what to placed on climbing in scorching local weather
• Check out this submit on the easiest leggings for climbing or what to placed on climbing in summer season for additional particulars and my gear strategies.
• While you’re climbing in winter after the snow has started falling you’ll need microspikes on the very least. If there’s quite a lot of snow you may more than likely need snowshoes.
• You additionally must take a great deal of layers along with a fleece layer, a puffy insulated jacket and a wind and waterproof outer layer. Hats and gloves are moreover compulsory along with a good backpack to keep up all of the items in.
• You additionally must pack water and some snacks too to keep up you going as they’re part of the 10 requirements for climbing!
• Planning a climbing date? Check out what to placed on on a climbing date nevertheless nonetheless look cool.

FAQs about these Victoria easy hikes

Final concepts on the easiest easy climbing trails in Victoria Canada

These easy hikes in Victoria British Columbia over the hills, coastal paths and forests throughout the metropolis are good trails for beginner hikers or for cases you merely have to get exterior on an easy, however pretty, stroll.

Lots of these trails are moreover good for many who’re visiting Victoria in winter.

While you’re staying in Victoria, check out the biggest places to stay in Victoria, and for many who’re looking out for additional hikes on Vancouver Island I’ve obtained you lined.

For these spending longer on Vancouver Island, check out this weekend itinerary for Tofino, Tofino’s biggest hikes, along with this Tofino seaside viewpoint, and this data to Campbell River.

Or, cope with your self to an unimaginable experience and go uncover grizzly bears on a wildlife tour in Victoria.