Colwood brings together a lagoon, historic coastal fortifications, and trails through forests and parks. When choosing where to stay, you can start by deciding what matters most to you: birdwatching and kayaking at Esquimalt Lagoon, hiking trails in the parks, or history around Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse. Each place offers a different experience, making it easy to explore Colwood according to your interests.

Lagoon and Migratory Birds

Esquimalt Lagoon National Migratory Bird Sanctuary is a large, shallow lagoon. A sandbar encloses it, and a tidal channel connects it to the sea at one point. This distinctive shape defines this stretch of coast: the lagoon and its opening to the sea are part of the same landscape.

Esquimalt Lagoon is one of seven migratory bird sanctuaries in British Columbia and an important stopover for birds migrating between North and South America. This gives the lagoon significance at two scales: as a protected area in British Columbia and as part of a far-reaching migration route between the continents. Birdwatching and kayaking are popular activities at the lagoon. Each offers a different way to experience the same place: focusing on the migratory birds or on the water.

Gardens, Forests and Hiking Trails

Hatley Castle sits on the shore of Esquimalt Lagoon, surrounded by gardens and mature forest. Numerous trails cross the grounds. In Colwood, the lagoon landscape and a distinct network of trails around the castle come together.

The forested Havenwood Park covers 40 acres and has a network of well-maintained hiking trails. The Olympic View Trail climbs to a lookout above the forest, giving the trail network a named destination as well as forest paths. At Latoria Creek Park, well-maintained trails and several bridges over the creek define the landscape. The two parks therefore feature different landscapes: a forest lookout at Havenwood and a creek with bridges at Latoria Creek.

The Galloping Goose Regional Trail

The Galloping Goose Regional Trail runs through Colwood and connects the city to downtown Victoria and the wider region on foot or by bicycle, without requiring you to use a busy road. Its 55 km route from Victoria to Sooke follows a former railway line. These details describe different scales: the trail’s route through Colwood is its local connection, while the 55 km refers to the route between Victoria and Sooke. This makes it easy to distinguish trails in individual parks from the longer regional route.

Coastal Fortifications and Colwood’s History

Fort Rodd Hill is a 19th-century artillery fortification on the West Coast that was in active service from 1895 to 1956. Visitors can explore its three gun batteries, underground ammunition magazines, command posts, guardhouses, barracks, and searchlight emplacements. The areas open to visitors range from guns and ammunition storage to command, guard, and accommodation facilities.

Fisgard Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on Canada’s West Coast, offering a different focus from the artillery fortification. The City of Colwood acquired St. John the Baptist Heritage Church in 1993. The church was granted official heritage site status. The headstones at Colwood Pioneer Cemetery record the names of some of Colwood’s founding families. Colwood’s heritage takes several forms: a fort and lighthouse, a historic church, and the names inscribed on headstones.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Mayne, Sidney, Port Renfrew, Galiano, Saanich, North Saanich, Langford, Saanichton.

Return to the main travel overview: Capital Regional District.