Vancouver Island Outdoors Guide

Trails

  • Charlie's Trail is a well-marked and popular forest shaded trail. Passing two waterfalls through Hatley Park, down to the beach at Esquimalt Lagoon. While here you can also check out Hatley Castle and the Japanese gardens.

  • This loop trail around the lake is 10km and is a nice walking/running trail that is well maintained, but can get quite busy. A great hike when coming off or going on the ferry back to mainland.

  • If you can get parking at Clover Point, the views across the pacific are great, but we love following the shoreline down to the breakwater which is about 3 km each way. You will pass Beacon Hill Park which is a great place to stop and watch the swans.

  • This 10 km loop trail is a short drive from Nanaimo, and offers a great forested trail. Benson Creek Fails Regional park offers many great trails for different lengths and difficulties.

  • A 4 km loop trail takes you around Morrell Lake and can be extended to go around Westwood lake.

  • Stoney Hill is a quiet, peaceful walk with extraordinary views of Salt Spring Island. The trail is well marked. There is an area that gets a little bit steep at one point, and has some rocks and roots, but is very doable for most skills levels.

Activities

  • From the parking lot at Kinsol Trestle Parking Lot, its a short 1 km walk to this fantastic old train bridge. You can continue along the Cowichan Valley Trail or stop here to enjoy a drink and picnic.

  • To the North of downtown sits the beautiful campus of UVIC and one of our favorite parts is Finnerty Gardens. A great place to read a book, have a bite to eat, or chill and listen to music. If is is a hot day out, Telegraph Beach is not far away.

  • Surrounded by West Victoria suburbs, this is the closest “Summit” you will find in Victoria. Just 10 minutes to the top, it is a great place to take in the views of greater Victoria

  • A pristine park on the Pacific that is perfect for a picnic. Say that 5 times fast. There is not a ton of parking here so we recommend coming at off peak times.

  • Many trail and paths to explore at these two nearby parks. We couldn’t decide between the two so we had to include both due to the proximity. Both have great trails, shorelines to explore and small rocky beaches.

  • We mentioned early hiking around Westwood Lake if you extended your Morrel Trail route, and this is the perfect place to swim on the sand beach and break out a paddle board or kayak to explore these calmer waters.

Find near you

  • Escape into the wilderness and reconnect with nature on a camping adventure. Gather your family and friends around a crackling campfire share stories, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

  • On your next round, ditch the beer cart and elevate your experience with Summit. While we can't promise it'll improve your game, we guarantee you'll savor every moment on the course

  • If you know you know. If you don’t, get dinking and you will be addicted in no time. Stash a Summit in you gym bag for the best recovery ever.

  • Connect with nature right at home – whether it's your window sill, balcony, or backyard garden. Our top pick? Growing fresh herbs in a sunny window to elevate the munchies to the next level

  • Tuesday afternoon around the block or Sunday morning to the local coffee shop. Music is optional, bringing the dog is not.

  • Crack a Summit. try something from as many vendors as possible. People watch while you eat. What could be better?