Trail Routes
Trail Routes
Explore our Trail Route Maps to find your perfect run. Click on any route to view specific route details including: distance, terrain, route type, washroom access, water availability, route description and more!
Choose from Short (9 km or less), Medium (10-16km) or Long (17 km +)
Short Trail Routes
The Rithet’s Bog Blast
2.9 km Saanich
A 42-hectare Nature Sanctuary, Rithet’s Bog is a haven for rare plants and wildlife. The largely flat 2.9 km trail around The Bog provides a great running route that can be extended by adding the adjacent Broadmead road/trail network, or the nearby Beaver-Elk Lake trails (to the west) or Lochside Trail (to the east). No water or washrooms available. As this is a bird sanctuary, dogs must be on-leash.
The Totally Wicked Cedar Hill Golf Course Chip Trail Loop
3.6 km Saanich
This moderately hilly 3.6 km route snakes around the perimeter of Cedar Hill Golf Course, arguably the most used golf course in Canada. It is one of Victoria’s true running gems. Scenic, with a well kept path that weaves through groves of garry oak, mossy rock outcrops and duck ponds, the route can be made into a ‘figure eight’ by including the cycle path that cuts through the middle. The upper (northern) half is nicest and makes a 2.1 km loop. Surface is excellent, with a combination of chips and crushed gravel. Washrooms and water are available both at the Clubhouse and Recreation Centre. Dogs must be on-leash.
Uplands Park – The Fab 4K Loop
3.8 km Oak Bay
This is perhaps one of the least used, best kept running secrets of Victoria. A relatively small park, it has been kept essentially undeveloped and in its natural state. It has a good selection of flat, runnable trails for a park of its size. Uplands Park is best run in the spring and early summer when the wildflowers are in bloom…and they are stunning! (Note: some trails get very muddy in winter.) No washrooms or water available, but both are available at nearby Willows Beach Park.
Thetis Lake 5K Loop
4.9 km View Royal
One of the most beautiful running/walking areas around Victoria, Thetis Lake Park and the adjoining greenbelts/parks make for an extraordinary running – and swimming – experience. This area is blessed with a myriad of delightful trails, stunningly pretty lakes and a great mix of terrain. Most trails are well marked. While the main trails are fairly well maintained, many of the smaller branch trails tend to be more technical “single-track”. Expect hills! Several routes join adjacent parks, such as Stewart Mountain, Francis/King and Gowlland Tod. This particular run circles both Upper and Lower Thetis Lakes, and makes for an easy to moderate route that highlights many of the Park’s most scenic spots.
Mt. Doug – The Shorty
5.7 km Saanich
One of Victoria’s best kept running secrets, Mt. Doug Park is a great place for either easy or hard runs. The park offers many scenic trails, some steep and challenging (great for hill training!), but several routes are fairly gentle. This particular loop is as close to flat as one can find in Mt. Doug Park, but does have a few easy uphills. Being mostly on the east side of the mountain, this route also provides a fair bit of shade, much appreciated when the weather is hot! Most trails are dirt, with some roots and rocks. Trails are generally well marked. Dogs can be off-leash, but under control.
Elk-Beaver Pipeline Paradise
8.9 km Saanich
The route around Elk and Beaver Lakes is probably the most popular running/walking trail in Victoria. The shortest distance around both lakes is 10 km, though there are many side trails that can be added. Flat, well maintained and kilometer marked, this is a great trail for fast running, easy group runs or walks. There are several great swimming spots along the way. Surface is mostly crushed gravel. An abundance of washrooms and water are available along the route. Dogs can be off-leash, but under control.
Commonly called the Pipeline Trail, the route along the west side of the lakes makes for a delicious 7.5 km out and back run with several good spots for swimming and, thanks to the canopy of maples and arbutus, lots of welcome shade in the summer. This route can be easily shortened or extended.
Ice Cream to Ice Cream 10K
10 km Saanich
The Lochside Trail (https://www.crd.bc.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parks-trails/find-park-trail/lochside) extends 29 km from Swartz Bay ferry terminal south to Victoria where it intersects the Galloping Goose Trail at the TransCanada Highway (Uptown). What was once an old railway line, “Lochside” is a popular route for runners, walkers, cyclists and horseback riders. Flat and scenic with a nice combination of road and smooth footpath, this section of the trail is great for either an easy jog or a brisk tempo run. Assuming you plan on the former, start with an ice cream at Mattick’s Farm, then enjoy the gentle trail as it cuts through pastoral Saanich farmland and past a small hog farm before reaching Michell’s Farm… and another ice cream. While you’re there, say hello to Tom Mitchell, one of the best runners Victoria has ever produced. If desired, continue north a bit further along Lochside Trail, or turn around and return to Mattick’s. To make your run particularly special, you might persuade yourself to turn along Island View Rd., left on Puckle and right on Lamont where you will find “Parsell Vineyard”, home of some of the most godly nectar to be found in BC. Then enjoy a thoroughly ‘spirited’ run back!
Medium Trail Routes
Best Goldstream Park Loop
10 km Highlands
Encompassing 477 hectares, Goldstream Park has a vast network of trails, ranging from easy to very challenging (eg: Mt. Finlayson). A great place to watch bald eagles feasting on salmon in the fall, this woodland oasis also offers shade (some trees are over 600 years old) on hot summer days as you climb up to the 48-metre Niagra Falls. You can extend your run to include the flat Ed Nixon Trail to the southeast, or the more challenging Mt. Finlayson and Gowlland Todd trails to the northeast. Access to the Sooke Hills trails and The Great Trail is also possible.
The Great Cedar Grove Loop
10.8 km Metchosin
Cedar Grove Trail starts on the north side of the Galloping Goose parking lot at Gillespie Rd., and generally follows the Galloping Goose in a parallel direction to the east. The route shown here, however, begins and ends where the Galloping Goose crosses Rocky Point Rd. The Cedar Grove Trail travels through several groves of massive cedar trees, as well as maples and fir/arbutus. The trail can be somewhat technical in places, but still very runnable, even when it gets a bit muddy in the winter! This trail offers an great alternative to a simple out/back on the Galloping Goose, and can be combined with other trail networks in the area.
The Classic Elk-Beaver Loop
11.8 km Saanich
This is probably the most used running/walking trail in Victoria. The shortest distance around both lakes is 10 km, though there are many side trails that can be added. Flat, well maintained, kilometer marked, this is a great trail for fast running, easy group runs and walks. Several places to swim in the summer. Surface is dirt or crushed gravel. An abundance of washrooms and water available along the route. Dogs can be off-leash, but under control.
The Slightly Adventurous Thetis Lake Loop
12 km View Royal
One of the most beautiful running/walking areas around Victoria, Thetis Lake Park and the adjoining greenbelts/parks make for an extraordinary running – and swimming – experience. This area is blessed with a myriad of delightful trails, stunningly pretty lakes and a great mix of terrain. Most trails are well marked. While the main trails are fairly well maintained, many of the smaller branch trails tend to be more technical “single-track”. Expect hills! Several routes join adjacent parks, such as Stewart Mountain, Francis/King and Gowlland Tod. Washrooms and water available. Dogs can be off-leash, but under control. This particular loop combines great views of both Upper and Lower Thetis Lakes, beautiful trails that weave through rocky forests rich with fir, maple and arbutus, and exhilarating technical single track. Enjoy!
Mt. Doug Extravaganza
12.3 km Saanich
One of Victoria’s best kept running secrets, Mt. Doug Park is a great place for either easy or hard runs. The park offers many scenic trails, some steep and challenging (great for hill training!), but several routes are fairly gentle. This particular loop combines both gentle and technical trails, some steep grades and a long uphill road section. Most trails are dirt, with some roots and rocks. Trails are generally well marked. Dogs can be off-leash, but under control.
Great Galloping Goose 15K
15 km Metchosin
The longest trail route in and around Victoria, “The Goose” is a 57 km rail-trail, connecting downtown Victoria to the Sooke Potholes and Leechtown. Being an old railway line, the trail is flat and very easy to run. This section of The Goose is a rural delight as it travels through maple and arbutus-laden forest and rolling farmland. The trail is well-marked with directional signs and kilometer markers. Surface is excellent for running. To extend your run, continue either direction to connect to several good running or swimming parks: Thetis Lake, Matheson Lake, Sooke Potholes, Sea-to-Sea Regional Park and Sooke Hills Regional Park Reserve. Washrooms and water are not available on this section of the trail. Dogs can be off-leash, but under control. (Note: this section of the trail has several road crossings.)
Long Trail Routes
The Great Gowlland Tod
18 km Highlands
This is a great trail for longer runs, especially for those who enjoy the challenge of hills and more technical terrain. Stunning scenery overlooking Finlayson Arm and Saanich Inlet. You can also include the adjacent Mackenzie Bight, Mt. Work and the Hartland mountain bike trail network. A connector route will also take you to Thetis Lake Park. Washrooms at Caleb Pike and McKenzie Bight trailheads. No water available. Dogs can be off-leash, but under control.
Thetis to Munn Connector
19 km View Royal and Highlands
One of the most beautiful running/walking areas around Victoria, Thetis Lake Park and the adjoining greenbelts/parks make for an extraordinary running – and swimming – experience. This area is blessed with a myriad of delightful trails, stunningly pretty lakes and a great mix of terrain. Most trails are well marked. While the main trails are fairly well maintained, many of the smaller branch trails tend to be more technical “single-track”. Expect hills! Several routes join adjacent parks, such as Francis-King Park and Mt. Work Provincial Park. This particular route starts at the main beach at Thetis Lake, follows delightful single-track back trails to Munn Road (near the trailhead up Mt. Work), then returns.
Best Galloping Goose Run (Devonian to Roche)
15 km Metchosin
The longest trail route in and around Victoria, “The Goose” is a 57 km rail-trail, connecting downtown Victoria to the Sooke Potholes and Leechtown. Being an old railway line, the trail is flat and very easy to run. This section of The Goose is at the top of the list of our favourite runs…trail or road. It begins with a short and delightful loop around Devonian Park before joining The Goose, where it travels southwest through maple and arbutus-laden forest (lots of glorious shade in the hot summer!) and rolling farmland, past beautiful Matheson Lake to Roche Cove. Boasting an excellent running surface, the trail is well-marked with directional signs and kilometer markers. Matheson Lake offers several good swimming spots. Dogs can be off-leash, but under control (note: though rural, this section of the trail does have a few road crossings).
The Great Trail
22.3 km Malahat
Recently completed, The Great Trail starts at the Humpback reservoir near Goldstream Park and traverses the Malahat before ending at the south end of Shawnigan Lake. As part of the vast Trans Canada Trail, TGT is an engineering marvel, boasting a superbly built footpath over challenging terrain. Be prepared for some long uphill grades, but your efforts will be rewarded!
Galloping to Leechtown 20-Miler
15 km Metchosin
The longest trail route in and around Victoria, “The Goose” is a 57 km rail-trail, connecting downtown Victoria to the Sooke Potholes and Leechtown (an old ghost town). Being an old railway line, the trail is flat and very easy to run. This section of The Goose is the most remote, and is a wilderness delight. Meandering through maple, fir and arbutus-laden forest, the trail takes you over two high trestles (one may still be under renovation, so a 1500m by-pass along a delightful single-track is necessary) and follows the Sooke River inland. The trail is well-marked with directional signs and kilometer markers. The river has several great spots swimming in the summer.
The Epic East Sooke Loop
20.7 km East Sooke
It’s only 20K, you say? Don’t be fooled by the distance…this spectacular but challenging route will feel like a marathon! The first 10+ km takes you along the rugged Coast Trail, a highly technical route that hugs the remote and jagged, wind-swept coastline of East Sooke, offering stunning panoramic views of the Salish Sea and Olympic Mountains beyond. Leaving the incredible ocean vistas behind, the route then turns inland and you make your way back to the start via a network of fairly challenging inland trails guaranteed to raise your heart rate.
The Kludahk Trail
Up to 37 km Sooke
The Kludahk Trail is one of the epic trail runs on Vancouver Island. Privately built and maintained (by the Kludahk Trail Society), it traverses the San Juan Ridge, a high mountain ridge between Jordan River and Port Renfrew, and was originally created for skiers. Several well-equipped wilderness huts, many kilometres of boardwalk over bog, high alpine meadows and picturesque alpine lakes are a few of the key features of this extraordinary route. You will marvel at the engineering feats of the bridges, the attention to detail in hut planning, the extensiveness of the boardwalk and the sheer remoteness of the experience. The eastern half is best to run (the western half towards Port Renfrew is more challenging terrain, the route is harder to follow and not as enjoyable to run), so we recommend an out and back. Note: access is difficult.