5 of the Best Hikes Around Victoria, BC
If you’re planning a boat excursion to Vancouver Island in search of excellent hiking, beaches, and outdoor adventure, you’ve come to the right place. Vancouver Island, and Victoria specifically, attracts millions of visitors every year. They come for the restaurants, gardens, and old British charm, but they also come for the world-class natural beauty.
Arriving in Victoria by boat, Van Isle Marina is the place to moor, get repairs, take advantage of dry storage, and get a bit to eat. Our marina is located just 25 minutes away from downtown Victoria, and a shorter distance from the mid-island destinations.
There is excellent hiking in every direction on southern Vancouver Island, it just depends on what you’re looking for and which part of the island you’d like to explore. In this article, we’ve highlighted some of our favourites in or near Victoria:
Mount Finlayson
Part of Goldstream Provincial Park, Mount Finlayson is one of Victoria’s favourite hikes due to its relative proximity to residential communities, excellent view, and steepness. At 419m high and one of the steepest hikes in the region, Mount Finlayson is a great opportunity for exercise for people and dogs. It’s a popular spot, so expect the mountain and parking lot to be busy.
The hiking trail itself is just under 6km but considered challenging. The first half of the trail is through the forest, surrounded by dense foliage, soft trails, wood steps, and streams. The second half is more challenging along exposed rock.
At the top, you’ll be rewarded with views of Mount Baker, Bear Mountain, Greater Victoria, and the Olympic Peninsula. Sitting within the Gowlland range, Mount Finlayson is located on the border of Highlands and Langford, making it a super short drive for Westshore residents, and about a 25 minute drive from downtown Victoria.
Mystic Beach
Mystic Beach is an iconic hike that leads to a beautiful gray sandy beach with cliffs and a waterfall. A popular hike for beachgoers and surfers, Mystic is an intermediate trail that doesn’t take long to complete. It’s just over 2km long and can be easily completed in under an hour. And while there’s hardly much elevation, the trail is full of tree roots and is very good at dirtying shoes with mud.
As you walk through the forested paths, you’ll hear the waves crashing in the distance. You’ll cross bridges, step over logs, and wind your way through the forest until you’re spat out onto gorgeous Mystic Beach.
Located near Sooke off West Coast Road, Mystic Beach is part of the Juan De Fuca Marine Trail, near the start of the famous Juan de Fuca trail. Being a little farther out of town – about 45 minutes by car, Mystic Beach is rugged, beautiful, and slightly less busy than other hikes.
Inner Harbour/Ogden Point
If you’re looking for more of an urban trail that doesn’t require any rock climbing, stairs, or dragging through the mud, there’s a great walking trail located in downtown Victoria. Starting at Ogden Point, you can walk all the way into downtown Victoria while enjoying the city skyline and busy marine activity of the Inner Harbour.
Ogden Point is where the cruise ships dock from Spring to Autumn. Right next to it is the breakwater, a popular walking spot with a café and excellent sunset views. From there, you’ll walk along Dallas Road and reach Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can grab some fresh fish and chips and a drink while browsing Victoria’s houseboat community. If you keep walking, the Inner Harbour and downtown Victoria will come into full view, complete with harbour taxis, ferries, float planes, and leisure boats.
East Sooke Coast Trail
The Coast Trail in sprawling East Sooke Regional Park is a challenging 10km hike along the island’s rugged but stunning coastline. The majority of this hike offers ocean views, and you’ll be greeted with breathtaking viewpoints, mini beaches, and rocky bays along the way.
The hike starts at Aylard Farm Trailhead, which you can find by staying on Becher Bay Road just off East Sooke Road. East Sooke Regional Park is a good distance from downtown Victoria and will take you easily 45 minutes to arrive by car. The remote location along with dense forests make for an excellent hangout for cougars and other wildlife, so be sure to follow the trail rules and guidelines.
If you’re completed the trail and are looking for something new, East Sooke Regional Park has so much to offer. There are over 50km of trails covering 1474 hectares, plus multiple beaches and picnic sites.
Thetis Lake
Thetis Lake is one of the most visited parks in the Capital Regional District. In the summertime, the lake is full of swimmers and sun bathers, while people run and hike the trail all year round with dogs.
Thetis Lake is made up of two freshwater lakes connected by a narrow culvert. The Upper Thetis Lake trail is about 5km and takes upwards of an hour to walk, while the Lower Thetis Lake trail is just over 3km and can be completed in under an hour. There’s also a 7.6km hike that circles both lakes and takes about 2 hours to complete, which is a bit more challenging and rugged.
Located just off the Trans Canada Highway on the way to Langford, Thetis Lake is one of the more accessible hikes being close to downtown and close to Langford. There is a pay per use parking lot, but if you’re going during the summer, you had better get there early!
Mount Wells
Mount Wells is a shorter hike at around 2.5 km with some challenging aspects. The trail is quite moderate at the beginning, with plenty of wildflowers and birds to enjoy, but becomes a little more technical as the trail turns to rock. In the tricky areas, there are chains to guide you for safety. At the top, you’ll enjoy views of the city, surrounding ocean, and snowy mountains in the distance.
Mount Wells is found in the 123-hectare Mount Wells Regional Park. This relatively small park is located near Langford – just northwest of the city, which is also near Goldstream Provincial Park. There are plenty of wildflowers, moss outcrops, and views of the surrounding region. When you arrive via Humpback Road, you can park your car at Humpback Reservoir.
All these hiking trails can be accessed by car from Van Isle Marina. While you’re off on your hike, leave your boat in our secure marina and get some much needed maintenance done. When you’re done, come on back for an unforgettable oceanside dining experience at the Sea Glass Waterfront Grill. And if you’re looking for a boat upgrade, browse our selection of new and used boats for sale.
