While I grew up in Victoria, I only really began exploring the trail networks in the nearby regional and provincial parks over this past year, since I wanted to go hiking but was limited in my ability to travel by the COVID-19 restrictions. I had been repeating the same hikes, like Mount Finlayson, Mount Douglas, and Mount Work, not realizing what else was nearby. I feel that now I am unlikely to ever walk these trails again because I have discovered other trails that are so much better. The trail networks in the Greater Victoria area are extensive, so I thought I would share with you my top 5 day hikes.
1. Coast Trail, East Sooke Regional Park
Distance: 10.5 km
Ascent: ~325m
Duration: ~4.5 hours
The Coast Trail offers stunning views on a clear day of the Olympic Mountains across the Salish Sea as you walk along the rugged Vancouver Island coastline. Make sure to look and listen for sea life, as I have been lucky enough to spot sea lions and whales. The trail is undulating, so you likely hike the equivalent of a moderate mountain over the coarse of the entire trail, but broken up into short ascends and descends; however, I have never actually tracked my hike of this trail to measure the total ascent. You repeatedly trudge up onto bluffs where you can admire the view for a moment before dropping back down into the thick forest where you will often cross a small stream that is making its way to the ocean.
The abandoned trap shack at Cabin Point is the approximate half way point of the trail, so I would recommend either stopping here for a quick break or at the small beach that is just before when coming from Aylard Farm. It is only really possible to hike the entire trail if you are able to take two vehicles and park one at either end; however, there are numerous options to duck inland and make a loop back along the Interior Trail to the parking lot where you began.
2. Mount Braden, Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park South Section
Distance: 10 km
Elevation: 480m
Ascent: 350m
Duration: ~3 hours
This trail used to be somewhat difficult to find because the trailhead was off the side of the Sooke Highway, but now it would be hard to miss because the CRD recently completed a parking lot for access to the Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park South Section. The trail network in the park was mostly unsigned until recently, but the CRD added much more signage as part of their park improvement project, so a map or GPS is no longer necessary. It is an easy 2.5km approach along an old logging road beside Veitch Creek to get to the Mount Braden Summit Loop Trail. The Mount Braden Summit Loop Trail first takes you over Castle Peak at 455m, down into the saddle, then up to Mount Braden at 480m.
The view from the top of Mount Braden is unparalleled. On a clear day, you can see across the Sooke Hills to the Olympic Mountains on the other side of the Salish Sea, as well as a clear shot of Mount Baker through the trees to your left.
3. Jocelyn Hill, Gowlland Tod Provincial Park
Distance: 10.5km
Elevation: 435m
Ascent: ~400m
Duration: 3.5 hours
Jocelyn Hill can be accessed from McKenzie Bight or Caleb Pike, but I prefer the hike from Caleb Pike because it has more views along the way rather than being mostly stuck in the trees. This direction is shorter by about 3km and has 150m less ascent. If going from the Caleb Pike direction, shortly after setting off along the trail, you will pass under power lines, which is a blemish on the otherwise beautiful hike. You will walk along ridges above the Saanich Inlet, and when you finally reach Jocelyn Hill, you will be able to see across the Saanich Inlet to Salt Spring Island and bits of some of the other Gulf Islands.
4. Mount Manuel Quimper, Sea to Sea Regional Park
Distance: 10.5km
Elevation: 545m
Ascent: 450m
Duration: 3 hours
Mount Manuel Quimper is my most recent of local hike discoveries and it is the only hike on this list that I have done just once, but I plan to return to explore other trails in this section of the Sea to Sea Regional Park. I took the Quimper Summit Trail all the way to the top. It was overcast, so the view was limited, but I know that the view would be epic on a clear day. On the way back, I took Juniper, which is a shared use trail for hiking and mountain biking. The switchbacks made for a gradual descent. This trail joined to Sooke Mountain Trail, which I took the rest of the way to the parking lot. It is a relatively flat gravel road, so it was easy walking. I was eager to make a detour to Mount Brulé, but I could not convince my hiking partner to summit another mountain, even though it is only 380m tall.
5. Sugarloaf Loop, Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park South Section
Distance: 7.5km
Elevation: 365m
Ascent: 290m
Duration: 2.5 hours
Sugarloaf was the first place I explored in the Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park. On my first trip, the route I took was via Townsend Hill along Townsend Loop Trail to the Badlands Trail. On my second trip, I took Fishponds Trail to the Sugarloaf Trail. The overall length and total ascent of both routes is similar, though the Sugarloaf Trail has a much steeper ascent at the end to reach the summit. The view from the summit is of the Sooke Basin, with the Sooke Hills extending seemingly indefinitely to your right.
The return was via Sue's Trail on both trips. Sue's trail is a pretty steep descent at first, but then is easy going once you get down into the valley. There are some impressive trees along Sue's trail; however, there are also many moss-covered stumps which are remnants of the logging that once took place there, and I always find myself lamenting what wondrous old growth could have been if this area had remained untouched.
I encourage you to seize the next clear day to explore a trail that is new to you. All of the hikes on this list and most in the Greater Victoria area would be doable in the winter, so long as you don't mind muddy boots.