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Roll right off BC Ferries at Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island and onto the 29-km (18-mile) Lochside Trail. En route to Victoria, you’ll traverse leafy trails and boardwalks shared by cyclists, horseback riders, walkers, and skateboarders; in some patches, you’ll share the road with cars. Not up to tackling the entire route? Download a map and choose a section, like Switch Bridge past Swan Lake to Cordova Bay Beach (7.5 km/4.7 mi each way). (Hitch a ride on a BC Transit bus (#70) to the access point.)
The Lochside Trail intersects with the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, a 55-kilometre former railway line from Victoria to Sooke, and the first section of the Trans-Canada Trail. Trail Rating: Accessible (paved sections) to Easy Length: 29km Location: Saanich, Central Saanich, Sidney, North Saanich, Victoria Established: 2001 Hours: 24/7
The Lochside Regional Trail is both a popular commuting route and the perfect way to enjoy a lazy Sunday ride through the farmlands of the Saanich Peninsula. Stop at one of the nearby sandy beaches on the way, and enjoy ocean views from the trail itself as you approach Sidney
From the Switch Bridge, take the Lochside Trail past Swan Lake and over the Blenkinsop Trestle to nearby Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park or Cordova Bay beach. 12km one way From the Switch Bridge, follow the Lochside Trail through the farmland of the Saanich Peninsula to Sidney. Stop to explore Island View Beach Regional Park on the way. 29km one way
The Lochside Regional Trail traverses urban landscapes and working agricultural areas. Some sections follow or cross public roadways. Use caution and obey traffic rules on roads and at road crossings. Give way to farm vehicles using the trail.
Bike Rack Drinking Water Information Kiosk Parking Lot Public Transit Toilet Accessible Toilet Wheelchair Access
North from Downtown Victoria Follow the Galloping Goose Regional Trail from Victoria to the Switch Bridge in Saanich. Turn right to follow the Lochside Trail north toward Sidney/Swartz Bay. There are several access points along the trail, including Lochside Park off Cordova Bay Road, Cy Hampson Park off Lochside Drive in Central Saanich and Tulista Park off Lochside Drive in Sidney.
South from Swartz Bay Follow the signs for the Lochside Regional Trail. Cyclists: after passing under the Landsend Road overpass, turn right at the bicycle lane, right at the overpass, and then right onto the trail. Foot passengers: turn left at the Landsend Road overpass, then right onto the trail.
Transit bus #70 from Victoria to Swartz Bay stops at various locations along the route of the Trail. Contact BC Transit for schedule information.
With its hilly terrain, Salt Spring can be challenging for cyclists. Fortunately, there’s a gentler route from the Fulford Harbour ferry terminal to Ruckle Provincial Park. Walk or ride your bike up the hill and turn right onto Beaver Point Road. You’ll pass bucolic pastures, inviting farm stands, and a small lake. Keep right at Stewart Road and follow Beaver Point Road for about 10 km (6 miles) to its end. Stop off at Salt Spring Island Cheese or KiZmit Galeria Cafe for a tasty treat.
The Cowichan Valley Trail is a spectacular multi-use trail that is an integral part of The Great Trail (Trans Canada Trail) route on Southern Vancouver Island. The Cowichan Valley section runs from the Capital Regional District boundary at the top of the Malahat, north to Shawnigan Lake and the Kinsol Trestle, west to the Town of Lake Cowichan then north to the Regional District of Nanaimo. The majority of the gravel trail is wide and flat with some sections running along the roadways. The trail provides for easy cycling and walking. Picnic areas, Trails, Horseback riding, Cycling, Historic railway trestles
Cycling is permitted on roadways in the park and mountain bike opportunities exist on the Pumphouse trails, which connect to the Snowden demonstration forest trail network. The pumphouse trail network is best accessed from near the water tower uphill of the logging road bridge over the Campbell River.
Mountainous, remote, culturally diverse, and immensely beautiful, Canada is an expansive and scenic country to visit and explore. With over 10 provinces, this North American country is a favourite destination for travellers of all ages. Canada has so much to offer that it’s worth fully exploring on its own. Perfect for ski adventures, scenic railway journeys, wildlife, and historical city exploration, it’s diverse in its terrain and culture. Canada is a comfortable and exciting destination to visit.
Vancouver
Island Vacations Tourism Information Guide that has been designed to
assist all visitors vacationing on this beautiful island of ours. We
would like you to experience an enjoyable vacation..
For the camping enthusiasts there are over twenty provisional campgrounds available and literally dozens of privately owned RV parks on the island. Vancouver Island offers something for every one on vacation. There are many outdoor experiences you will be able to enjoy, fishing, golfing, horse back riding, parks you can trail walk and of course grizzly and black bear tours just to name a few activities.
W
e have hundreds of various types of accommodations listed from Victoria to the top of the island Port Hardy and every city and town in between on both the east and west coasts to suit all budgets, tastes, needs and desires.
T
here are more than 50 golf courses for the avid golfer to experience. Most of these courses are set in the most beautiful surroundings near the sea, by lakes or surrounded by great mountain ranges in evergreen forests. Vancouver Island also can boast of having some of the best championship courses.
Guides who know the waters here well and are ready and committed to
serve you individually, ensuring a personalized and rewarding fishing
charter. You may be fortunate enough to land a halibut , now that would
be a vacation to remember. It is all here at our front door. Unbelievable fishing on Vancouver
Island for those seeking the finest saltwater fishing getaway.
Grizzly bear watching
is always a tourist attraction at Knight Inlet about 80 kilometers
north of Campbell River. During a vacation on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, be sure to
book a whale watching tour to see whales, eagles, dolphins and other
marine mammals.
Mt. Washington is only minutes away from the Comox Valley and offers world class skiing, snowboarding and Nordic sports. In the summer season Mount Washington is a hiking and mountain bike haven.
If you're looking for activities beyond alpine, all snowbound tastes are catered for. Mount Washington provides guests with one of the top-rated Nordic experiences in North America.
Get inspired by the province’s natural beauty and make plans for your next outdoor adventure,
by taking advantage of the many recreation
opportunities available across the diverse landscape of mountains,
rivers, lakes and coastlines. You will experience excitement and
adventure on either a
fishing, whale watching, bear watching or hunting trip. Vancouver Islands rugged wilderness, fresh lakes and rivers offering excellent opportunities for gaming and fishing enthusiasts.
Kayaking is a very popular sport as the island has many bays and inlets
with calm waters. Here is
The Ultimate
Beginner’s Guide to Kayaking
Vancouver Island offers a host of exceptional recreation opportunities. While some of the island’s most spectacular recreation features are located in parks, many more recreation resources are found in the rugged backcountry.
Alternatively, if you are planning a more relaxed type sailing holiday and intend to explore the shores, bays and
the hundreds of inlets
surrounding Vancouver island, then you can also look forward to sun tanning,
beach combing, waterfalls, beautiful anchorages, great scenery, swimming,
hiking, photography and the many species of wildlife.
There are over 18
marine parks in our area.
Desolation sound is extraordinarily beautiful sailing area with
many safe anchorages and beautiful locations… mountain waterfall and forest
lakes only minutes walk from snug anchorages. The waters are calm, sheltered and
warm. Desolation Sound is a world famous sailing destination or longer trips to
the many other marine parks like Princess Louisa, Toba Inlet, Bute
Inlet or the Broughton Archipelago.
