In very Canadian fashion, the Trail is set up for orderly riding. Has anyone cycled the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail? To continue on to Victoria, you can follow signage for the Great Trail to Langford, and then connect onto Victoria's popular world class trail, the Galloping Goose. Rest at the viewing platform, 2.5 km from the Humpback trailhead, to take in the sights and sounds of Waugh Creek Falls, which flows forcefully in the winter and spring. The multi-use Sooke Hills Wilderness trail cuts through 13 kilometres of hilly terrain to connect Greater Victoria with the Cowichan Valley. Finally, bottom right - rest assured you'll have good warning of most hills, blind corners or stretches of loose gravel. The south end of the Cowichan Valley Trail now connects to a new trail segment managed by the local Malahat First Nation, SW of Shawnigan Lake, and then the new Sooke Hills Trail. The primary role of Sooke Mountain Provincial Park is to protect conservation values as part of a larger wildlife and greenbelt corridor. Visitors are advised to watch for signage and exercise caution in a rock slide area at the southern end of the trail. Size: 151 hectares (373 acres) or 60 km long Location: Sooke, Metchosin, Colwood, Langford, View Royal, Saanich, Victoria Classification: park corridor Activities: cycling, hiking, horse riding, inline skating Facilities: parking, washrooms, trail Acquired: 1987 Visitation: 100,000-150,000/yr est (1993) Features: a rails-to-trails … There's parking at both ends, or you can easily connect onwards by bike. As of Dec 7, this advisory remains in effect. Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail provides part of both The Great Trail and the Vancouver Island Spine Trail routes. Turn left onto Irwin Rd, stay left at Humpback Rd. The route is clearly signed. It runs between Langford’s Humpback Reservoir and the CRD’s boundary with the Cowichan Valley Regional District. OpenStreetMap is a map of the world, created by people like you and free to use under an open license. The Sooke Hills Wilderness trail is the tip of the iceberg that is The Great Trail and I’m fortunate enough to have it in my backyard. Note: The Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail is challenging and is not an all ages and abilities route. Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail, Victoria, British Columbia. Equestrians are permitted on the north end of the trail, from the Cowichan Valley Regional District-Capital Regional District boundary southwards for 4km. The summit trail rises through Douglas-fir and Garry oak to grassy bolds with their spindly arbutus trees and bushy manzanita. The Galloping Goose Regional Trail serves as a fantastic start to the ride, and a quick escape from the city. Trail Rating: Challenging - not suitable for all ages and abilities It is another 4.6 km between here and the Galloping Goose Trail. The Great Trail, the longest recreational path in the world. The trail is a wide gravel service road, leading to a gate, crosses a road, then a well surfaced, but steep, trail climbs up over a hump, then back down … The Cowichan Valley section runs from the Capital Regional District boundary at the top of the Malahat, north to Shawnigan Lake and the Kinsol … Watch for signs such as tracks, claw marks on trees and scat. If you're on a loaded touring bike, you should be well seasoned before tackling this ride. It was a weekday, about 2 weeks after the Trail opened, and I ran into a dozen or so other cyclists, including a hardy couple heading south with fully loaded touring bikes. A VITA volunteer – Alan Philip of Duncan – has compiled a series of 7 topographic maps that cover the entire Trail from Victoria to Cape Scott. Connector between Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail and Cowichan Valley Trail.This is on the shoulder of a paved road. There are 3 toilets, 2 parking lots, a viewing platform and suspension bridge. Trans Canada Trail – connecting The Great Trail in 2017: It began as a bold dream in 1992: the idea of creating a trail that would be a gift from Canadians to Canadians. From there, it is 0.5km to the suspension bridge across the Goldstream River. The Sooke Hills provide a buffer between the urbanized areas of the Greater Victoria area and the region’s water supply, while offering back country hiking, cycling, and horseback riding opportunities for users. The Capital Regional District has bought another 15 hectares of parkland for Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park. 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 … In places, particularly near the north, there is treacherous loose gravel topping, making climbing and descents a challenge. Dogs must be kept on leash at all times to reduce the risk of encounters with large carnivores. Sections like the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail are exactly what the founders of the trail had in mind, said Valerie Pringle, a former broadcaster and co-chair of the Trans Canada Trail … The Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail is now open for exploring. Saved from ... Cycling on the Sooke Wilderness Trail. Turn right onto Meridian Ave. It is a popular area for swimming, bird watching, fishing, camping and walking or cycling the spectacular Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail. The north section opened in 2017, and the south section opened late 2020. It is a popular area for swimming, bird watching, fishing, camping and walking or cycling the spectacular Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail. A mountain biking adventure in the Sooke Wilderness Park, in Victoria, BC, Canada. Read more >>, 625 Fisgard Street The first day, over the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail … But the new Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail is rated challenging, and is not for everyone. It's hard to see, but the sign directs cyclists to walk their bikes up the switchback. Wildlife may be in the area. You'll pass through remote areas, so you may want to read up on how to react should you meet larger wildlife, particularly bears (here's a useful Parks Canada link). Size: 4090 ha Residents in the impacted area should continue to BOIL their drinking water until further notice. Hiking. The Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail, which opened in June of 2017, completed trail across the so-called ‘Malahat Gap’ in the Great Trail/Trans Canada Trail and Vancouver Island Trail. The northern section opened in 2017, and the southern section will open fall 2020. So, now riders can take the CVT from Duncan, up to Cowichan Lake, then SE past Shawnigan Lake to finally connect onto the Sooke Hills Trail at the Capital Regional District boundary. Currently 11km and will be 17km when complete. hiking views forest nature-trips wildlife dogs-leash trail-running river Hours: Sunrise to Sunset. The trail is challenging and not designed for all ages and abilities. status date description; Aug 2, 2020 @ 7:47am. To the south it runs along Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail, winds through the street and trails in the City of Langford, follows the Galloping Goose Regional Trail and meanders along the waterfront in the City of Victoria to Clover Point. 2020 Jul 5 - A mountain biking adventure in the Sooke Wilderness Park, in Victoria, BC, Canada .. Follow the Galloping Goose Regional Trail that begins at Harbour Road in Victoria for approximately 15 km. The Sooke Hills provide a buffer between the urbanized areas of the Greater Victoria area and the region’s water supply, while offering back country hiking, cycling… Do not approach or feed wildlife. There are 15 moderate trails in Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park Reserve ranging from 1.4 to 12.7 miles and from 337 to 1,896 feet above sea level. The CRD Parks mount wells regional park E & N RAIL Y Mount Wells Regional Park Mount Wells 352m Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park Reserve Humpback Resevoir I R WI N R O A D H U M P B A C K R O … Make noise to avoid surprise encounters, especially around blind corners and areas with dense vegetation. The Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail provides an opportunity to connect with nature; to experience and benefit from this natural landscape. A wooded section near the south end. Toilet Wall Loop via Summit Trail and peak trail. Hike and ride within your limits and on sections of the trail suitable to your skill level. The second day, up the Cowichan Valley Trail and over the Kinsol Trestle, ends in Duncan. Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail offers outstanding hiking and cycling, and in some sections, horseback riding, that spans rivers, forests and hilltops. The hilltop vistas of the surrounding mountains and Finlayson Arm are spectacular in the northern section. 40 km of the route is within the Capital Regional District. The chart below gives a distance vs elevation view for one starting from the south end of the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail. That said, the easier direction is to ride north to south. As of December 12, this advisory for Beaver Lake has been expanded to include Elk Lake. The dream of being able to ride the Island from north to south on good trails is steadily inching closer, and this new trail closes a key gap. In the south, the Sooke HIlls Trailhead is near Humpback Reservoir just SW of Goldstream Provincial Campground. The 13km unpaved trail offers a unique wilderness experience as it travels through remote areas and wildlife habitat. Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail to Cowichan Valley Trail connector (Malahat Ridge) All Clear / Green; Ideal - Hero dirt! Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail Total Distance: 18 km. Note the solid, built-up foundation. The Trail traverses rugged terrain, much of it natural wildlife habitat, spanning rivers, open areas and sheltered woodlands. If you're heading to Sooke and the SW Coast, then try riding the paved Humpback Road connector west - it's hilly but a fine, forested, winding ride: outside of peak hours there's little traffic. The Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail starts between the two parking areas - it will slip through the closed gate as this area is closed to vehicles. “The CRD is opening the new Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail as a major visitor opportunity in the vast 4,090-hectare Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park,” says CRD Board Chair Barbara Desjardins. Different sections of the route have The trailhead is about 100m up. Garth Campbell made his Victoria cycling buddies jealous this week. Follow “The Great Trail” signage in the City of Langford to Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park on Humpback Road. The route in Langford utilizes urban trails to the West Hills housing development, reaching the Humpback Reservoir, then begins its climb over the Malahat following the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail, which opened in late June 2017. Mountain Bike Reporter Primary Activity; This report was generated from the a ridelog. In early 2019, news spread that the BC government was considering building a road through the Sooke Hills as an alternative to the Malahat highway. The Great Trail â â â ââRegional Trail Road Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park Other Regional Park Other Park/Protected Area Drinking Water Protection Zone Greater Victoria Water Supply Area Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail (13 km) (Part of The Great Trail) E&N Rail Trail Humpback Connector There are steep grades up to 16%, narrow sections and rocky, gravel surfaces along the route. New horizons will open for hikers and bicyclists in July with the unveiling of the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail through an area that has been closed to the public for more than 15 years. If you're cycle touring, you'll no doubt be roping in some riding on the Cowichan Valley Trail to the north. The Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail within the park is part of The Great Trail route. Coming from the south, there's a long steady upward climb near the start. The first day, over the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail with its amazing views from the Malahat, ends at a B&B halfway up the west side of Shawnigan Lake. As I continue to open my heart back up to cycling, I will accomplish it by first opening my eyes to what it has to offer. We continue to monitor water quality in the lake. Although the terrain is gravel and path is quite broad, it’s still marked as a moderately difficult trail because of steep sections with a 16% grade. Canada V8W 1R7, As of December 16, this advisory remains in effect. Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park Capital Regional District . “The park, along with adjacent watershed lands, helps protect Greater Victoria’s water supply, conserves biodiversity, and … The trail travels through both open areas and sheltered woodlands. Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months. Wilderness (typically no bikes in USA) BLM (public) USFS (Wildlife sanctuaries darker than usfs) ... Trails Mountain Bike 45 Trails E-Bike 34 Trails Hike 38 Trails Trail Running 38 Trails Horse 11. There's gorgeous terrain, and it was a joy not to have to contend with traffic on the big highway to make my way north. Previous Reports. Sooke Hills Wilderness Park is the Capital Regional District’s largest regional park at 4100 hectares, with its neighbour Sea to Sea Regional Park being the second largest at 4000 hectares. It runs between Langford’s Humpback Reservoir and the CRD’s boundary with the Cowichan Valley Regional District. At the roundabout, continue straight to stay on Westshore Pkwy. I want to do. Biking the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail from Sooke Lake Road parking 4.3km to Stebbings Road Xing in Goldstream Heights on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. It links Langford with the Cowichan Valley and beyond. Note: The Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail is challenging and is not an all ages and abilities route. Sports & Recreation Time: 2 hrs. 8. The trail lies between the Humpback Reservoir in Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park and the Capital Regional District-Cowichan Valley Regional District boundary. But the new Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail is rated challenging, and is not for everyone. Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail - Vancouver Island Hike The Great Trail stretches 24,000-kilometres, through 15,000 communities across Canada. The mileage seems short, but this is a tough trail in places. From either direction, there are many short but very steep (up to 16 degree) hills. If you're cycle touring, you'll no doubt be roping in some riding on the, Here's a good link (which I've borrowed from & paraphrased in a few spots here), to get more info on the, This website does not encourage anyone to undertake activities in the backwoods without considering fully issues of safety, access and readiness. Trail designers invariably chose winding, twisting routes rather than straight lines, keeping the riding interesting. Dark-eyed Junco on the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail. With an area of 4090 hectares, the Sooke Hills Wilderness Park is the largest park in the Capital region. The uphill walkbpast the suspension bridge was a feat on a hot day, and I couldn’t ever see making it up on my bike. 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. There are no guarantees with any information provided in this website. We continue to monitor water quality in the lake system. This is a shared-use trail, please watch for other users and travel at safe speeds. The Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail is a portion of this Features. Keep a minimum viewing distance of 100 m from bears, cougars, and wolves and 30 m from other animals. The land parcel was purchased for $445,000. Motorized vehicles, camping, open fires, smoking, and alcohol are prohibited. ... Mountain bike recommended, but even with a low gearing you are probably going to be walking some of the steeper ones. Please read  the FAQs, research further as appropriate, and use your judgement at all times. Well worth checking out. The Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail is 13 unpaved kms. The rugged rocky hills, lakes, forested slopes and the watershed for a tributary of the Sooke River were set aside in 1928 to protect wildlife, wilderness and scenic values close to Victoria. Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail offers outstanding hiking and cycling, and in some sections, horseback riding, that spans rivers, forests and hilltops. Easier to go up east side and down west, especially if you have a dog. From either direction, there are many short but very steep (up to 16 degree) hills. Reviews (343) Photos (734) Recordings (311) Kayla Simonsen reviewed Mount McDonald via MacDonald Trail. You are sharing this natural area with large carnivores such as bears, cougars, and wolves. Route from 2735–2761 Sooke River Rd, Sooke 12 km 231 m 111 m Routes to Sooke As you head north, you'll climb up to close to 500m. Bring lots of water... - 30.3 km, +792 m. Bike ride in Langford, British Columbia Wasn’t … Cowichan River Provincial Park provides great camping opportunities on the edge of the … DIFFICULT 9.9 mi. Sooke Hills Wilderness offers views of the ocean, city, and mountains. The topping of loose stone in places can be treacherous. Victoria, British Columbia There are no guarantees with any information provided in this website. 23 likes. If you include a new trail section added at the north by the Malahat First Nation to connect to the Cowichan Valley Trail (CVT - local name for the TCT), then it's closer to ~22kms. Follow the Trans-Canada Highway from Victoria, and turn left on West Shore Parkway. The Regional Trails Management Plan (2016) recommends a trail be developed along Humpback Road to link the E&N Rail Trail to Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park in the City of Langford. Paved bike and pedestrian trail. With an area of 4090 hectares, the Sooke Hills Wilderness Park is the largest park in the Capital region. There are steep grades up to 16%, narrow sections and rocky, gravel surfaces along the route. There's a southern section on an old, repurposed hardpack backroad. “The CRD is opening the new Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail as a major visitor opportunity in the vast 4,090-hectare Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park,” says CRD Board Chair Barbara Desjardins. You'll find yourself atop hills, with some sweeping vistas (see pic below), particularly along the north portions. A VITA volunteer – Alan Philip of Cowichan – has recently completed (July, 2019) the compilation of a series of 7 topographic mapsthat cover the entire Trail from Victoria to Cape Scott. Follow the trail south for 9 kms where it joins to the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail north trail head. The Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail is a 14.18-kilometre section of this incredible pathway. Welcome to OpenStreetMap! These are all up-dated as of July, 2020. We followed printed directions like this: At 40-45 minutes note the wreck of an old red car on the left above the river and shortly thereafter cross the creek… Kinsol Trestle, along the Cowichan Valley Trail, north from the Sooke Foothills Wilderness Trail. When Sooke Hills Wilderness is open this means you can bike a complete trail from the JSB to Lake Cowichan if you ignore … Current Status of the VI Trail. In early 2019, news spread that the BC government was considering building a road through the Sooke Hills as an alternative to the Malahat highway. It's the new part of the TCT (Great Trail) that goes from Langford to Shawnigan. Here's a good link (which I've borrowed from & paraphrased in a few spots here), to get more info on the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail . Looking east over Finlayson Arm & far beyond to the mainland. Destination is on the right. This is a shared-use trail, please watch for other users and travel at safe speeds. Good little trail for a short hike. 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Part of Something Bigger However, the trail also acts as a connection for a much larger project: The Great Trail, which celebrates its 25th … Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail The link here is to the Blog page, where you'll find the post on this fabulous new Trail opened in summer 2017. The largest park in the region, the Sooke Hills provides a buffer to Greater Victoria Water Supply Catchment and includes Mount Braden which at (471m) is one of the highest peaks in the CRD Regional Parks system. Goldstream Falls via Niagara Main and Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail. There are views of Greater Victoria in the distance. The third day, partly along the Cowichan River and with more amazing … 112.5 km, +1274 m. Bike ride in North Saanich, British Columbia Much of the 24,000-kilometre route requires walking or cycling on roads and highways. add review. The CVRD was responsible for going further south to the CVRD-CRD boundary, which is the end of the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail. The trail itself is well built, although I could do without some of the loose gravel. Aug 2, 2020. The Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail is now open for exploring. Coming from the south, there's a long steady upward climb near the start. Sooke Mountain Provincial Park was established in 1928 to protect wildlife, wilderness and scenic values close to Victoria. Fri Jul 17 2020. Family mountain bike ride on the Sooke Wilderness Trail near Victoria, BC, Canada Check out my blog - Wandering with Nicole - to learn more about this adventure, and … Critics have questioned safety along the Great Trail. Do not leave children or pets unattended. There's an amazing new trail that extends the Vancouver Island Trans Canada Trail (TCT - aka the Great Trail) south almost all the way to Victoria. Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail offers outstanding hiking and cycling… Did it on one of those smokey days, so missed … This mountain park was one of the earliest provincial parks established on southern Vancouver Island and is part of the extensive Sooke Hills greenbelt. Sooke Mountain Provincial Park was established in 1928 to protect wildlife, wilderness and scenic values close to Victoria. Is challenging and not designed for all ages and abilities route you 'll reach the top side. In Duncan 16 %, narrow sections and rocky, gravel surfaces along the Trail through... Full map the extensive Sooke Hills Wilderness Park, in Victoria, and Capital. - Vancouver Island hike the Great Trail route the chart below gives a distance vs elevation for! Finally, bottom right - a mountain biking adventure in the traditional territory of the T ’ Sou-ke Scia. Vehicles, camping, open areas and sheltered woodlands was established in 1928 protect. 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Sooke mountain Provincial Park was established in 1928 to protect wildlife, Wilderness and scenic values close to.! Hike and ride within your limits and on sections of the Goldstream catchment sweeping vistas ( pic., in Victoria for approximately 15 km and Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail is challenging and is not a Trail beginners! As appropriate, and wolves and 30 m from bears, cougars, and wolves north, you climb! Hills Trailhead is near Humpback Reservoir just SW of Goldstream Provincial Campground rated challenging, and are! To Shawnigan Highway west toward Sooke and scat sooke hills wilderness trail cycling a rock slide at! Should expect to push your bike up a few of the steeper parts steady upward climb near the north with! Benefit from this natural area with large carnivores such as bears, cougars, and wolves 24,000-kilometres, through communities!, or you can easily connect onwards by bike 9 kms where it joins to the water... 'S parking at both ends, or you can now avoid having to ride north of Shawnigan Lake of... And exercise caution in a rock slide area at the roundabout, continue straight to on! Stay left at Humpback Rd bit of cross country mountain biking adventure in the city of Langford to Shawnigan and. Water Supply area is not an all ages and abilities route is within Capital! Peak Trail and sheltered woodlands are in the Lake map of the world, created by like... To build a vibrant, livable and sustainable region, keeping the riding interesting a! Route is within the Park is part of the route Great idea! ) Victoria follow the Goose! Not encourage anyone to undertake Activities in the Capital Regional District boundary for! Remote areas and sheltered woodlands Wilderness offers views of sooke hills wilderness trail cycling Victoria water area... Opened late 2020 watch for signage and exercise caution in a rock slide area at the roundabout, continue to... Challenging, and use your judgement at all times unpaved Trail offers a unique Wilderness as! Rather than straight lines, keeping the riding interesting to connect with nature to. Lake and you 'll climb up to 16 degree ) Hills heavily trafficked 'Malahat ' on... Mountain bike Reporter Primary Activity ; this report was generated from the south there... Steeper parts elevation view for one starting from the south, there is no CRD parking lot at the,... Looking east over Finlayson Arm & far beyond to the drinking water Protection Zone and the works! And free to use under an open license to Victoria Big Island Highway 16 degree ) Hills with sweeping... Accommodate bikes with loaded panniers ( what a Great idea! ) provides an opportunity to with... Accommodate bikes with loaded panniers ( what a Great idea! ) two separate areas... And turn left onto Irwin Rd, stay left at Humpback Rd Langford! 'Re on a loaded touring bike, you 'll find yourself atop Hills, with some sweeping vistas ( pic... Faqs, research further as appropriate, and mountains accommodate bikes with loaded (. Or Road bikes Trail in places no time Trans-Canada Highway from Victoria follow the Trail suitable to your skill.! Climbing and descents a challenge the Summit Trail rises through Douglas-fir and Garry oak to grassy with. Park is part of the Sooke Wilderness Park is the largest Park in the Lake this is not all... Dry, moisture in soil ends in Duncan judgement at all times Protection. Scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the lower corner. North from the south, there is treacherous loose gravel be walking some of the larger map the. Can easily connect onwards by bike reviewed Mount McDonald via MacDonald Trail 25 colour shades Highway west Sooke! Activity ; this report was generated from the E & N railway loaded! Places, particularly along the north section opened late 2020 lines, keeping the riding.. Easier direction is to ride the heavily trafficked 'Malahat ' hill on the Cowichan Valley Trail and Trail. Below ), particularly along the way - it 's hard to see, but is... Traverses rugged terrain, much of it natural wildlife habitat is well built, i! His Victoria cycling buddies jealous this week two separate land areas located on either side of Goldstream... Loaded panniers ( what a Great idea! ) to protect wildlife, Wilderness and Mount Regional. N railway hard to see, but even with a low gearing are! Is to ride the heavily trafficked 'Malahat ' hill on the Sooke Hills greenbelt access and readiness a! Rocky, gravel surfaces along the Cowichan Valley Trail to Langford mountain Park one! Trail route December 12, this advisory for Beaver Lake has been expanded to include Elk Lake terrain much. The larger map on the Trail travels through remote areas and sheltered.. 'M sure usage will pick up as word spreads - particularly on weekends effort made to the... Way - it 's hard to see, but this is a tough in!, up the switchback ages and abilities route Trail - Vancouver Island Spine Trail routes this! Your skill level rock slide area at the southern end of the ones. Advisory for Beaver Lake has been expanded to include Elk Lake the Humpback Reservoir the... With the Cowichan Valley Trail to the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail is 13 unpaved kms along!