Biking
Galloping Goose Regional Trail. Following an old rail bed, this 55-km (35-mile) route officially starts at the Vic West end of Johnson Street Bridge, which connects Downtown Victoria to Vic West. The multiuse trail runs across old rail trestles and through forests west to the town of Sooke, finishing just past Sooke Potholes Provincial Park. Just north of Downtown it links with the Lochside Regional Trail to the BC Ferries terminal at Swartz Bay, creating a nearly continuous 55-mile car-free route. It has earned many accolades, deservedly so. Johnson St. Bridge, Vic West, Victoria, British Columbia. 250/478–3344; www.crd.bc.ca/parks. Free.
Lochside Regional Trail. This fairly level, mostly car-free route follows an old rail bed for 29 km (18 miles) past farmland, wineries, and beaches from the ferry terminals at Swartz Bay and Sidney to Downtown Victoria. It joins the Seaside Touring Route at Cordova Bay and meets the Galloping Goose Trail just north of Downtown Victoria. Sidney, British Columbia, V8L 4X3. 250/478–3344; www.crd.bc.ca/parks.
Victoria Seaside Touring Route. Starting at the corner of Government and Belleville streets on the Inner Harbour, this 39-km (24-mile) route along city streets and coastal roads, marked with bright yellow signs, leads past Fisherman's Wharf and along the Dallas Road waterfront to Beacon Hill Park. It then follows the seashore to Cordova Bay, where it connects with Victoria's other two long-distance routes: the Lochside and Galloping Goose regional trails. Government St. at Belleville St., Inner Harbour, Downtown, Victoria, British Columbia.
Cycle BC Rentals. This centrally located shop rents bikes for adults and children, as well as bike trailers, motorcycles, and scooters. 685 Humboldt St., Downtown, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1A6. 250/380–2453; 866/380–2453; www.cyclebc.ca.
Cycletreks. Besides renting bikes, this company runs bike tours of Victoria, multiday trips to the Gulf Islands, and vineyard tours of the Saanich Peninsula and the Cowichan Valley. Their self-guided trips include bikes, maps, and a ride to Butchart Gardens or the end of the Galloping Goose or Lochside trail so that you can pedal back. 1000 Wharf St., Downtown, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1T2. 250/386–3147; www.cycletreks.com. May–Sept. only.
The Pedaler Bicycle Tours and Rentals. Pedal and sample your way around Victoria's craft breweries, wineries, culinary sites, and bike-friendly neighborhoods on these behind-the-scenes bike tours; the company rents bikes, too. 719 Douglas St., Downtown, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2B4 . 778/265–7433 ; www.thepedaler.ca.
