VANCOUVER ISLAND: LOCHSIDE TRAIL

Roll right off BC Ferries at Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island and onto the 29-km (18-mile) Lochside Trail. En route to Victoria, you’ll traverse leafy trails and boardwalks shared by cyclists, horseback riders, walkers, and skateboarders; in some patches, you’ll share the road with cars. Not up to tackling the entire route? Download a map and choose a section, like Switch Bridge past Swan Lake to Cordova Bay Beach (7.5 km/4.7 mi each way). (Hitch a ride on a BC Transit bus (#70) to the access point.)

FEATURES

The Lochside Trail intersects with the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, a 55-kilometre former railway line from Victoria to Sooke, and the first section of the Trans-Canada Trail. Trail Rating: Accessible (paved sections) to Easy Length: 29km Location: Saanich, Central Saanich, Sidney, North Saanich, Victoria Established: 2001 Hours: 24/7

THINGS TO DO

The Lochside Regional Trail is both a popular commuting route and the perfect way to enjoy a lazy Sunday ride through the farmlands of the Saanich Peninsula. Stop at one of the nearby sandy beaches on the way, and enjoy ocean views from the trail itself as you approach Sidney

Cycling over bridge

SUGGESTED CYCLE DAY TRIP

From the Switch Bridge, take the Lochside Trail past Swan Lake and over the Blenkinsop Trestle to nearby Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park or Cordova Bay beach. 12km one way From the Switch Bridge, follow the Lochside Trail through the farmland of the Saanich Peninsula to Sidney. Stop to explore Island View Beach Regional Park on the way. 29km one way

BE ALERT

The Lochside Regional Trail traverses urban landscapes and working agricultural areas. Some sections follow or cross public roadways. Use caution and obey traffic rules on roads and at road crossings. Give way to farm vehicles using the trail.

AMENITIES

Bike Rack Drinking Water Information Kiosk Parking Lot Public Transit Toilet Accessible Toilet Wheelchair Access

HOW TO GET THERE

North from Downtown Victoria Follow the Galloping Goose Regional Trail from Victoria to the Switch Bridge in Saanich. Turn right to follow the Lochside Trail north toward Sidney/Swartz Bay. There are several access points along the trail, including Lochside Park off Cordova Bay Road, Cy Hampson Park off Lochside Drive in Central Saanich and Tulista Park off Lochside Drive in Sidney.

DIRECTIONS

South from Swartz Bay Follow the signs for the Lochside Regional Trail. Cyclists: after passing under the Landsend Road overpass, turn right at the bicycle lane, right at the overpass, and then right onto the trail. Foot passengers: turn left at the Landsend Road overpass, then right onto the trail.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BC

Transit bus #70 from Victoria to Swartz Bay stops at various locations along the route of the Trail. Contact BC Transit for schedule information.

BC TRANSIT SALT SPRING ISLAND:

With its hilly terrain, Salt Spring can be challenging for cyclists. Fortunately, there’s a gentler route from the Fulford Harbour ferry terminal to Ruckle Provincial Park. Walk or ride your bike up the hill and turn right onto Beaver Point Road. You’ll pass bucolic pastures, inviting farm stands, and a small lake. Keep right at Stewart Road and follow Beaver Point Road for about 10 km (6 miles) to its end. Stop off at Salt Spring Island Cheese or KiZmit Galeria Cafe for a tasty treat.

COWICHAN VALLEY TRAIL

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. 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 of Lake Cowichan then north to the Regional District of Nanaimo. The majority of the gravel trail is wide and flat with some sections running along the roadways. The trail provides for easy cycling and walking. Picnic areas, Trails, Horseback riding, Cycling, Historic railway trestles

CAMPBELL RIVER: ELK FALLS

Cycling is permitted on roadways in the park and mountain bike opportunities exist on the Pumphouse trails, which connect to the Snowden demonstration forest trail network. The pumphouse trail network is best accessed from near the water tower uphill of the logging road bridge over the Campbell River.