12 Easy Hikes In Victoria BC You Have To Visit This Summer!
The city of Victoria sits amid sparkling waterways and densely forested mountains. It’s a city laced with urban parks and recreational areas. Getting out on a hike is the best way to experience Victoria’s rugged and natural beauty. If you’re new to hiking, these easy hikes in Victoria are a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
Victoria is located on Vancouver Island, one of the best destinations for nature lovers. You don’t have to go far to hike in Victoria, many of these trails are within 30 minutes of the city and some can be accessed by public transport. This list compiles a variety of hiking and walking trails, some are more of a workout and others are easy walks with zero incline.
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What to Pack For Easy Hikes in Victoria
Some hikes on this list are easy walking trails that do not require much equipment but they do vary in difficulty and I always recommend being over-prepared than under. Below are my basic hiking must-haves even on the easy trails!
- Day Pack: I never hike without my Osprey Tempest 20 – Most comfortable pack ever!
- Hiking Boots: Many of these easy Victoria hikes can be done in runners but I always recommend hiking boots. My favourite hiking boots are my Salamon X Ultra Boots – so comfy!
- Bug Spray: In the summer mosquitos are everywhere in BC, come prepared with Bug Spray!
- Bear Spray: While most of the hikes in this post are well-trafficked and close to the city, a bear encounter can happen at any moment, Bear Spray is always a good idea on any hike in BC.
- Raincoat: Victoria is part of a coastal rainforest so come prepared for a wet hike! Columbia rain jackets are perfect for a rainy day hike!
- First Aid Kit: Even on an easy trail, injuries can happen, bring a portable First Aid Kit to be prepared.
- Hydration: Staying hydrated on any hiking trail is always a must. A re-usable water bottle or water bladder are both great options.
Easy Hikes Near Victoria, British Columbia
1) Ogden Point Breakwater
More of a walk than a hike, the Ogden Point Breakwater is an easily accessible walking trail close to downtown Victoria and can be accessed via Dallas Road.
Once you reach the Ogden Point lighthouse at the end of the trail, take time to sit and watch the busy waterways filled with ships, sailboats and float planes.
Ogden Point is one of the best places to watch the sunset in Victoria. If you want to extend your walk, continue along the Dallas Road where there are lots of sandy beaches to stop by.
- Length: 1.6km
- Elevation: None
- Time: 30 minutes
- Distance from Victoria: 5 minutes
- Dog Friendly: Yes
2) Niagara Falls
You might have already heard of the famous Niagara Falls in Ontario, but did you know BC has its very own? Okay it might not be anywhere near as big or mighty, but it’s still very beautiful!
Located within Goldstream Provincial Park, Niagara Falls is a tall skinny waterfall that’s tucked away in a mossy forest. The hike to get here takes less than an hour is a great easy hike for families.
From the parking lot you’ll need to follow the gravel trail and turn left to continue through a tunnel that passes under the highway. From here it’s a short walk. The area surrounding the falls can get slippery so it’s best to view them from distance.
- Length: 1.3km
- Elevation: 25 metres
- Time: 45 minutes – 1 hour
- Distance from Victoria: 45 minutes
- Dog Friendly: Yes
3) Jocelyn Hill
Jocelyn Hill is the hardest hike on this list and is considered more of an intermediate hike. The climb to Jocelyn Hill is definitely a work out but there are no technical sections of this trail. This is an out and back trail that leads to some fantastic views of the Saanich Arm and Malahat in the distance.
The trail takes you through much of the forest so there are shaded areas along the way. There are some steep sections here and there with a steep climb at the very top. There are two ways to access the trail to Jocelyn Hill, the shorter trail leaves from the south end of Gowlland Tod Provincial Park but it can be hiked from McKenzie Bight which adds a bit more time to your hike.
- Length: 8.9km
- Elevation: 438 metres
- Time: 4 -5 hours
- Distance From Victoria: 30 minutes
- Dog Friendly: Yes
4) Holmes Peak
A great beginner hike in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park is the Holmes Peak trail. This out and back trail takes around 1.5 to 2 hours and winds through the forest. The biggest attraction on this hike is the hidden swing that hangs from a tree overlooking the Saanich Arm.
The swing itself is not visible from the trail, you have to venture of the well worn trail and head to the rocky section to the left which looks across to the Malahat to find it.
The hike to Jocelyn Hill passes Holmes Peak so if you are taking this route it’s fun to stop and check out the hidden swing!
- Length: 2.7km
- Elevation: 122 metres
- Time: 2 – 3 hours
- Distance From Victoria: 30 minutes
- Dog Friendly: Yes
5) Old Baldy Mountain
Famous for its tree swing and beautiful views across Shawnigan Lake, the Old Baldy Mountain trail attracts many visitors every year. A 25-minute drive from Victoria, the Old Baldy Mountain trail is located in the Cowichan Valley and is a local favourite on Vancouver Island.
This hike can be considered more on the intermediate side of difficulty as there are some sections that are steep and require minimal scrambling. The good thing about Old Baldy Mountain is that there are two trails that lead here, one is easier than the other. If you are looking for the easy trail, take the red gate! You can read more about this hike in my guide here.
- Length: 2.4km
- Elevation: 208 metres
- Time: 2 – 3 hours
- Distance From Victoria: 40 minutes
- Dog Friendly: Yes
6) Mount Douglas
Located in Saanich, Mount Douglas is one of the top hikes near Victoria. This is a popular hike that offers 360 views of Downtown Victoria, Saanich and surrounding areas such as the Haro Strait.
Mount Douglas has a network of trails that lead to its peak with one of the most popular being the Irvine Trail. This will lead to both “peaks” of Mount Douglas, the higher of the two showcases this wonderful area of Vancouver Island.
Since Mount Douglas is a short hike, many hike this trail at golden hour to enjoy those amazing West Coast sunsets.
- Length: 4km
- Elevation: 205 metres
- Time: 2 hours
- Distance From Victoria: 25 minutes
- Dog Friendly: Yes
7) Mount Tolmie
Mount Tolmie is another fantastic lookout that’s great for visiting at sunset. There are several options for hiking Mount Tolmie, you can hike from the bottom or drive to the stop to enjoy the panoramic views of Victoria.
Mount Tolmie has a network of trails that shoot off from one another so having a map on hand is always a good idea. You’ll encounter several scenic viewpoints at Mount Tolmie that have picnic tables great for enjoying lunch with a view.
The top of Mount Tolmie can also be driven to without the hike – if you are looking for sunset spots in Victoria this area is perfect.
- Length: 1.2km
- Elevation: 45 metres
- Time: 30 minutes – 1 hour
- Distance From Victoria: 15 minutes
- Dog Friendly: Yes
8) Lone Tree Hill
If you are looking for a short hike in Victoria with a great payoff, then the Lone Tree Hill trail is great. This trail takes around an hour to complete and showcases 360 degree views of Gowlland Tod and the Highlands regions.
This trail can get steep in sections but levels out. The beauty of this hike is that it is short so the steep inclines do not last that long. Once you reach the top you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views of Mount Finlayson, the Haro Strait and Strait of Juan De Fuca.
- Length: 1.9km
- Elevation: 130 metres
- Time: 1 hour
- Distance From Victoria: 30 minutes
- Dog Friendly: Yes
9) Thetis Lake
Surrounded by lush rainforest, Thetis Lake is unique in shape and wraps around a small peninsula. Thetis Lake Regional Park is made up of Lower Thetis Lake and Upper Thetis Lake.
The loop trail takes you past by lower and upper Thetis Lake and you can hike as little or as much of the trail as you like. While the whole loop is 5.1 kilometres in length, you can explore portions of this trail and then just head back the same way you came if not wanting to do the whole length.
- Length: 5km
- Elevation: 30 metres
- Time: 1 – 2 hours
- Distance From Victoria: 20 minutes
- Dog Friendly: Yes
10) Kinsol Trestle
The Kinsol Trestle is a wooden railway trestle located in the Coiwchan Valley close to Shawnigan Lake. Standing at 44 metres high and 187 metres long, the Kinsol Trestle is one of the biggest and most spectacular railway trestles in the world.
The hike to the historic Kinsol Trestle is a great easy hike near Victoria that’s perfect for beginners. The trail is long and flat and takes only 20-minutes from the parking lot. There are a variety of hiking trails in the area, as well as picnic benches and washrooms. This is a wheelchair and stroller accessible route.
- Length: 3.4km
- Elevation: 102 metres
- Time: 2 hours
- Distance From Victoria: 45 minutes
- Dog Friendly: Yes
11) Sooke Potholes / East Sooke Park
The Sooke Potholes are a fun area to explore all year-round and feature a series of rock pools. The potholes are made up of 2 different parks, Sooke Potholes Regional Park and Sooke Potholes Provincial Park.
The provincial park runs along the Sooke River and is a salmon spawning area. It’s a great location to witness the annual salmon spawning run.
If you want to explore more of Sooke, the East Sooke Regional Park offers a network of hiking and walking trails. The hikes in East Sooke Park transport you to a variety of landscapes such as rainforests, rocky bays and beaches, tide pools and incredible views of the Olympic Mountains. Both the Aylard Farm trail and Iron Mine Bay hike are great for beginners.
- Length: 3km
- Elevation: 70 metres
- Time: 1 hour
- Distance From Victoria: 40 minutes
- Dog Friendly: Yes
12) Juan De Fuca Provincial Park
If you want to find a hike and take a day trip from Victoria, the trails in Juan De Fuca Provincial Park are great for exploring year-round. The full Juan De Fuca trail is a total length of 47 kilometres and many hikers opt to this hike over several days. However it is possible to hike small sections of the trail which are easy and great for families.
China Beach is an easy hike that take around 15-minutes from the parking lot and leads to a beautiful beach on the Pacific Ocean. This area is great for wildlife, I managed to see a few Bald Eagles here just before sunset.
Mystic Beach is a little longer than China Beach and also leads to a coastal beach. Mystic Beach is famous for its beautiful waterfall.
Sombrio Beach is another popular beach in Juan De Fuca with a secret waterfall that many visitors come to seek out.
Explore More of British Columbia
Want to explore more of British Columbia? Check out these other detailed travel guides to help you explore!
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