Beaches and Parks

2 km - Sandcut Beach

Sandcut Beach is on the east end of Jordan River Regional Park. A 10 min. walk through the rain forest leads to a sand and pebble beach with waterfalls and sandstone rock.

6 km - Jordan River

The west end of Jordan River Regional Park, a pebble beach right along the highway is popular with surfers and kayakers.

10 km - Juan de Fuca Marine Trail

The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail starts from the China Beach parking lot. The 47 km hiking trail along the Pacific coast line ends at Botanical Beach and offers rugged beauty and wildlife viewing.

10 km - China Beach Provincial Park

A 15 min. walk through lush West Coast rain forest gives access to beautiful sandy China Beach.

12 km - Mystic Beach

2 km past China Beach, just before the second bridge, parking on the roadside or on a small parking lot on the other side of the bridge, no signs. A steep 30 min. forest trail ends on an attractive sand beach with sandstone cliffs, shallow caves and waterfall. This beach is also accessible via the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail.

28 km - Sombrio Beach

Sombrio Beach is popular with surfers taking advantage of the huge breakers coming in from the ocean. A winding gravel road (1.7 km) leads to a parking lot and a 10 min. walk to a sand and pebble beach.

39 km - Parkinson Creek

Turn left on the access road (3.8 km) to the Parkinson Creek Trailhead. The seal caves west of the mouth of the creek are accessible from the beach during very low tides.

51 km - Botanical Beach Provincial Park

Follow the road to the very end, turn left past the Lighthouse Pub - 3 km ahead is the parking lot. A 15 min. walk from the parking area leads to the fascinating Botanical Beach with tidal pools rich in marine life, which can be best viewed at water levels of less than 1 meter.

51 km - Pacific Rim National Park

Port Renfrew is the start of the Pacific Rim National Park with the famous West Coast Trail, a 75 km backpacking route through rainforest and along beaches with cliffs, waterfalls, and caves. The trail is open in summer and during peak season a reservation is required. For any use of the trail a permit and payment of a fee is mandatory. There is also a charge for transportation to and from the West Coast Trail.

55 km - Avatar Grove

In Port Renfrew turn right onto Deering Rd. (signs for Lake Cowichan). After 3 km turn left onto Pacific Marine Rd. After 5.1 km turn left onto Gordon River Rd. After 2 km you reach the starting point of the trails through the ancient forest Avatar Grove.

5 km - French Beach Provincial Park

French Beach offers easy access. Wonderful breakers from the Pacific Ocean, tide pools, picnic tables and lots of pebbles. Favorite feeding spot for migrating grey whales.

12 km - Muir Creek

Turn right to the parking lot before the Muir Creek bridge. Interesting fossils are found on this pebble beach.

15 km - Gordon's Beach

A number of cottages are located at the shore of Gordon's Beach. There are a couple access points at the east end of the beach which make it possible to have at low tides a nice stroll between the water and the cottages.

24 km - Whiffin Spit

Coming into Sooke turn right on Whiffin Spit Road. Whiffin Spit is a natural break water between the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Sooke basin. It offers nice views of the harbor and the Olympic Mountains.

25 km - Ed MacGregor Park

From Ed MacGregor Park you have access to the Sooke Rotary Pier and to the Marine Boardwalk, which offer nice views of the Sooke basin.

29 km - Galloping Goose Trail

The Galloping Goose Trail is a former railway lane which starts in Victoria and stretches over 60 km to Leechtown, the site of a gold rush settlement in the Sooke Hills. It is great for hiking, cycling and horseback riding. There are access points from Sooke River Road and close to the Stickleback restaurant.

31 km - Sooke Potholes Regional Park

Turn left after the Sooke River bridge and go to the end of Sooke River Road. The Sooke Potholes, natural pools of the Sooke River, are popular for swimming. In the fall spawning salmons can be watched.

32 km - Sea to Sea Regional Park Reserve

The Sea to Sea Regional Park Reserve is a large wilderness area in the Sooke Hills. The first phase of the development of this park is underway and will continue for several years.

37 km - Roche Cove Regional Park

8 km past the Sooke town center towards Victoria, turn off to East Sooke (Gillespie Road). Follow Gillespie Road for 3 km. Enjoy a hike on the Galopping Goose Trail or one of the other trails in Roche Cove Park. A seasonal trail also connects to the west corner of

Matheson Lake Regional Park

which features a picturesque lake surrounded by forests.

46 km - East Sooke Regional Park

At the end of East Sooke Road turn left into Pike Road. Hikers find many trails in the East Sooke Regional Park (3,512 acres). Abundant wild life, beaches, coves, a petroglyph and an abandoned copper mine offer much to watch and to explore.