Hiking and Walking
Goldstream Provincial Park. This wilderness park, just 16 km (10 miles) north of town, has a vast network of trails, from wheelchair-accessible paths through ancient Douglas fir and cedar forests to challenging hikes to the view-blessed peak of Mt. Finlayson. Trails also lead to the 47-meter-tall (154-foot) Niagara Falls. Hwy. 1, at Finlayson Arm Rd., West Shore, Victoria, British Columbia, V0R 2L0. 250/478–9414; www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks.
Mount Douglas Park. Trails through the forest to the 260-meter (853-foot) summit of Mt. Douglas reward hikers with a 360-degree view of Victoria, the Saanich Peninsula, and the mountains of Washington State. Off Cedar Hill Rd., Saanich, Victoria, British Columbia. 250/475–5522; www.saanich.ca.
Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. This sanctuary, with its 23-acre lake set in 150 acres of fields and wetlands, is just a few minutes from downtown Victoria. From the 2.4-km (1½-mile) Lake Loop Trail and floating boardwalk, birders can spot a variety of waterfowl and nesting birds year-round. For great views of Victoria, take the 2.4-km (1½-mile) round-trip hike to the top of Christmas Hill. The sanctuary's Nature House is open weekdays 8:30–4 and weekends noon–4. 3873 Swan Lake Rd., Saanich, Victoria, British Columbia, V8X 3W1. 250/479–0211; www.swanlake.bc.ca. Free. Daily dawn–dusk.
