The sun is shining in Greater Victoria, so what better way to soak up some vitamin D than by venturing out on a hike — keeping safety top of mind, of course.
AllTrails is a fitness and travel mobile app used in outdoor recreational activities, and it lists the region’s most popular trails based on user reviews.
South of Duncan, numerous trails are featured on AllTrails.com — but with too many to mention, we’re breaking it down in a Top 10 List. Many of the trails culminate with the scenic views Vancouver Island is well known for, and all offer respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.
BC AdventureSmart says that while trails may be welcoming this time of year, it’s important to remember that every adventure comes with a risk. The service encourages hikers to incorporate The Three Ts — trip planning, training, and taking the essentials — before venturing out, with more tips listed on its website.
Jocelyn Hill Trail Loop — 4.6/5 (1347 reviews)
Located within Gowlland Tod Provincial Park in Highlands, north of Millstream, Jocelyn Hill is a 10.5-kilometre, “moderately challenging” trail loop that takes an average of three hours and 23 minutes to complete, according to AllTrails.
“This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash,” states the post.
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Upper Thetis Lake Trail — 4.4/5 (1732 reviews)
Located near View Royal, Upper Thetis Lake Trail is a 5.1-kilometre loop that’s considered “moderately challenging,” according to AllTrails. The trail, which usually takes about an hour to complete, is “very popular for birding, hiking, and running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring,” the site says.
“The best times to visit this trail are April through September. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas.”
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Juan De Fuca Marine Trail: Mystic Beach — 4.6/5 (832 reviews)
Located near River Jordan, west of Sooke, Juan De Fuca Marine Trail culminates at Mystic Beach, which is along the Pacific Ocean and features a waterfall. The 4.3-kilometre trail is “generally considered an easy route” and takes an average of one hour and 21 minutes to complete, AllTrails says.
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“This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash,” it says.
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Holmes Peak — 4.5/5 (536 reviews)
Just like Jocelyn Hill Trail Loop, Holmes Peak is also located within Highland’s Gowlland Tod Provincial Park — only it’s shorter, measuring about 2.7 kilometres for a “moderately challenging route” that takes about 55 minutes to complete, according to AllTrails.
“This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash,” states the post.
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Mount Work Summit Trail — 4.5/5 (1280 reviews)
Located north of Thetis Lake and within Mount Work Regional Park, the 5.5-kilometre-long Mount Work Summit is “moderately challenging” and usually takes just over two hours to complete, AllTrails says.
The trail, like others previously mentioned, “is a very popular area for hiking and running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring,” according to information online. “The best times to visit this trail are May through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.”
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Mount Finlayson Trail — 4.4/5 (935 reviews)
Located within Goldstream Provincial Park, Mount Finlayson Trail is a 3.4-kilometre route near Langford that’s “moderately challenging,” AllTrails says. It takes an average of one hour and 53 minutes to complete, and because it’s popular for birding and hiking, “you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring,” it says.
“The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.”
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Mount Finlayson Loop — 4.5/5 (763 reviews)
Mount Finlayson Loop is (you guessed it) also within Goldstream Provincial Park, but it’s almost double the distance of Mount Finlayson Trail. The loop, six kilometres long, is “challenging” yet popular for “hiking, snowshoeing, and running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring,” AllTrails says.
“The best times to visit this trail are May through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash,” according to the post online.
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Stoney Hill Trail Loop — 4.6/5 (1187 reviews)
Located near the Cowichan Valley, Stoney Hill is a 3.5-kilometre trail loop that takes about an hour and is considered “easy” to complete, states AllTrails. It calls it a popular route for birding and running, meaning hikers will likely encounter other people while exploring.
“The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash,” the post reads.
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Old Baldy Mountain — 4.5/5 (932 reviews)
Also near the Cowichan Valley, Old Baldy Mountain measures 3.4 kilometres — slightly shorter than Stoney Hill Trail — but takes an average of one hour and 21 minutes to complete, according to AllTrails.
“This is a very popular area for hiking and walking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are April through October,” states information online.
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PKOLS (Mount Douglas) via Whitaker Loop — 4.4/5 (777 reviews)
The well-known Mount Douglas (PKOLS) via Whitaker Loop is a 5.5-kilometre loop near Saanich that’s considered “generally challenging,” AllTrails says, while also noting it’s “beautiful to visit anytime” and open year-round.
“This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash,” it adds.
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Ethan Morneau
