The Capital Regional District protects and manages more than 13,350 hectares of natural areas in 34 regional parks and along four regional trails. The regional parks extend across southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. The region offers a wide range of discoveries: trails through urban, rural and wilderness areas, lakes and rivers, and historic sites.
Regional trails through varied landscapes
The Galloping Goose Regional Trail stretches 55 kilometres from Victoria to Sooke, passing through urban, rural and wilderness areas. The Lochside Regional Trail runs from Swartz Bay to Victoria, alongside beaches, farmland and wetlands. On its rural sections, you can cycle, walk, run or ride a horse. To choose between them based on landscape, compare the routes: the Galloping Goose alternates between urban, rural and wilderness areas, while the Lochside runs alongside beaches, fields and wetlands.
Rivers, lakes and water activities
Sooke Potholes Regional Park lies on the Sooke River, where salmon run every fall. Its rock formations were created by glaciers about 15,000 years ago. Visitors can picnic or swim along the river; water conditions may vary. In the same park, at its northern end and beside the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, there is a campground with 67 sites for RVs and tents. Operations and capacity are seasonal; check availability before your trip.
Elk Lake and Beaver Lake have four family-friendly beaches and 15 kilometres of walking trails, including a 10-kilometre loop. At Beaver Beach, you can swim, picnic and canoe around nearby islands. The Nature Centre at Elk/Beaver Lake presents the park’s natural and cultural history; its operating schedule may vary seasonally. The lakes offer both walking trails and water activities, while the Nature Centre provides insight into the park’s natural and cultural history.
The freshwater lakes in Mount Work Regional Park are also suitable for walking and swimming. Mount Work–Hartland has multi-use trails open to mountain biking. For a different kind of hike, take the summit trail at Mount Work: it’s a challenging route through natural rock formations shaped by glaciers. Weather can affect access.
Hiking trails, forest and history
The 800-metre Elsie King Trail in Francis/King Regional Park is self-guided and has interpretive signs, rest areas, a shelter and an accessible washroom. In the park’s Heritage Grove stand Douglas firs that are about 500 years old. George Hill Regional Park offers a different hiking experience: a challenging hike through dense forest leads to a viewpoint with a 180-degree view. The details about trail length and difficulty make the difference between these two experiences clear.
Thetis Lake Regional Park was established in 1958 as Canada’s first nature sanctuary and has more than 40 kilometres of recreational trails. Its freshwater lakes are suitable for swimming, canoeing and fishing. This park brings together historic significance, numerous trails and lake activities.
East Point Regional Park is connected to Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. The lighthouse station at East Point was built between 1881 and 1887 to warn ships of the dangerous waters of the offshore Boiling Reef. Alongside its park landscape, the station’s history gives the place a maritime connection.
Practical information
For hikes in Mount Erskine Park, BC Parks recommends accessing the park via Mount Erskine Upper Access Park Reserve, which is owned by the Capital Regional District. If you’re planning to stay at the campground in Sooke Potholes Regional Park, account for its seasonal operations and check availability before your trip. These two tips help with different decisions: the recommended access point for visiting the park and the seasonal overnight accommodation option.
Discover more destinations: Victoria, Sidney, Sooke, Salt Spring Island, North Saanich, Port Renfrew, Mayne, Galiano, Pender Island, Saanich, Shirley, Saturna, Saanichton, Colwood, Langford.
For the broader travel overview: British Columbia.
