User-Friendly Trails

A GUIDE TO USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS

USER-FRIENDLY adjective 1. easy to learn, use, understand, or deal with

Easy to use walking, hiking and wheeling trails in Greater Victoria, BC Our Story Our story begins with the CRD Regional Parks received a Intermunicipal Advisory Committee grant from UBCM to increase visitor on Disability Issues (IACDI). In 2006, accessibility. It included implementing the committee envisioned an a trail assessment for recreation needs accessible trail guide that would of seniors and communication tools encourage people of all abilities to to share the results. In partnership, participate in the outdoors. IACDI, CRD Parks and West Shore Parks With the assistance of West Shore Parks & Recreation began to develop a tool & Recreation, IACDI received a grant that highlights easy to use outdoor from 2010 Legacies Now/Measuring experiences in our region. Up. The funds allowed for the City of The Guide to User-Friendly Trails is a Colwood, City of Langford, District of pilot project which has focussed on Highlands, District of Metchosin and the West Shore communities and CRD the Town of View Royal to implement a parks. In its creation we hope to inspire total of 13 accessible improvements. others to look at their trail systems with a user-friendly lens.

“We can achieve more together than alone; the power is in our partnerships.” ~ Marnie Essery IACDI Chair Table of Contents Galloping Goose Regional Trail PAGE 1 Sooke Potholes to Todd Creek Trestle 6

2 Sooke River Rd. to Charters River Trestle 8

3 Roche Cove to Rocky Point 10 East Sooke Regional Park 4 Pike Road to Iron Mine Bay 12 5 Aylard Farm to Becher Bay 14 Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park 6 West-Mont School to Teaching Shelter 16

7 Tower Point (Seasonal) 18 Esquimalt Lagoon 8 Art Space (Amenity) 20 West Shore Parks & Recreation 9 Trail at JDF Recreation Centre 24 Colwood Creek Park 10 Colwood Creek Trail 26 Langford 11 Glen Lake Park 28 Greater Victoria FP Accessible Fishing Piers 30 Portage Park 12 Portage Trail 32 Francis/King Regional Park Reading Trail Profi les 2 13 Elsie King Trail 34 Map Legend 3 Mount Work Regional Park 14 Munn Road Loop 36 Being Prepared 4 Lochside Regional Trail Adapted Equipment Loans 5 15 Lochside Drive to Blenkinsop Trestle 38 Overview Map 22-23 Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park Partners & Sponsors 44 16 Filter Beds to Brookleigh Boat Launch 40 Links & Resources 45 Island View Beach Regional Park Additional Contributors 45 17 Beach Trail 42

Photo Courtesy of William Ng USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS | 1 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

How To Read a Trail Profi le A trail profi le is an elevation diagram which is included with each of our highlighted trail maps.

These profi les show key features about the trail such as trail length, rest stops, view points, washrooms and grade changes. The numbers on the profi le correspond with the numbers on the map to identify the key feature’s location. Most of the trails highlighted have grades of 6% or less; this means that in 10 metres of a horizontal run you would climb or descend 0.6 metres. When we think of ramps for people with disabilities, the range of acceptable grades is between 5% to 8.3%. This means a ramp will rise between 0.5 metres to 0.83 m metres in a 10 metres horizontal run. The lower the percentage grade the gentler the climb or descent. Trail profi les are a tool to allow the user to make an informed decision to determine the level of access for themselves. Please note there is always some level of risk with any outdoor activity. DISCLAIMER This guide is for general information purposes only. The creators of this document make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information or the suitability of the maps for any purpose. The creators of this document will not be liable for any damage, loss or injury resulting from the use of the guide.

2 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS Map Legend

Beach 2 Location Number

Bench Featured Trail

Bike Parking Other Featured Trail

Boat Launch Trail

Camping (RV/Tent) Municipal Boundary

Cycling Major Road

Fishing Highway

Hiking River/Creek

Horseback Riding Regional Trail

Nature Centre Park

Parking Building

Accessible Parking Parking Lot

Picnic Area First Nation Reserve

Accessible Picnic Shelter DND

Picnic Shelter Capital Regional District

Playground Lake / Reservoir

Accessible Public Toilet Drinking Water Supply Area (Not open to the public) Public Toilet

Rowing

Shelter

Trail / Park Information

View Point

Water Fountain

USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS | 3 Being Prepared

How to Dress What to Bring • Even in summer, be prepared for wet, Always carry a daypack fi lled with cool conditions. West coast weather essentials. Although your plan may be for can change quickly. a short walk it’s a good idea to plan for a • Dress in layers. full day event in case of an emergency • Wear clothing that stays warm Here are some suggestions: when wet and dries quickly • current map of area (i.e. fl eece - not cotton). • water • Wear appropriate footwear • snacks and extra food (i.e. sturdy hiking shoes). • cell phone Hike Safely • fl ashlight or head lamp • Plan your trip and stick to the plan. and spare batteries • Check weather forecasts before • large orange plastic bag (useful as heading out. rainwear, shelter or for signalling) • Make sure your equipment is in good • extra clothing in a waterproof plastic working order. bag (i.e. raingear, hat, gloves) • Know the trails of the parks you visit. • sunscreen Read park brochures and information • fi rst aid kit kiosks. (be familiar with the contents) • Stay on designated trails. • whistle • Hike with a friend, in a group, or • pack of tissues leave a trip plan with a friend. If you • plastic bags for pet droppings don’t return on schedule, your friend • fully charged mobility device, ie: can contact emergency personnel. electric wheelchair/scooter battery • If lost, make yourself visible and stay where you are until help arrives. Protect Your Valuables Unfortunately, thieves strike where people gather. Leave your valuables at home, or take them with you. Don’t forget to lock your car.

4 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS Adapted Equipment Loans Recreation Integration Victoria (RIV) is an intermunicipally funded service that facilitates active lifestyles for people with disabilities. RIV works closely with West Shore Parks & Recreation, the Capital Regional District, and the Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues. RIV has a variety of specially designed or adapted equipment for loan including an all terrain wheelchair, TrailRiders™, and a variety of handcycles available for those with mobility and agility issues. People using this service call and reserve the equipment, fi ll out a registration form and waivers, pay a nominal maintenance fee, and a refundable deposit. You can view the equipment online at www.rivonline.org/Outdoor%20Equipment.html Below: Partners Trail Scouting

Facilitating active lifestyles for people with disabilities

USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS | 5 GALLOPING GOOSE REGIONAL TRAIL Sooke Potholes to Todd Creek Trestle

Getting There From Sooke Road travel 6.4 km north on Sooke River Road to the Sooke Potholes parking lot 2. About the Hike 2.2km (return) • Multi-use recreational trail • Accessible toilets and a picnic area at the trailhead • Smooth gravel surface with less Black-Tailed Deer than 2% grades • Viewpoints from Todd Creek Trestle What to Expect • Year round parking for 40+ vehicles (seasonal pay parking May 1– September 30) • 2 accessible parking stalls • Room for mid-size buses • No public transit Extend Your Experience • Visit the Old Lodge site and take in the views of the Sooke Photo Courtesy of Rick Leche River Canyon Bracken Fern • From Sooke Potholes Trail parking lot #1 hike the short trail to Crescent Beach • From Todd Creek Trestle continue on the Galloping Goose Regional Trail 2 km to the Charters River Trestle do hike #2

6 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS Parking Lot 2 Barnes Station 1 Historic Site 1

Sea to Sea Regional Park Reserve Old Lodge Site

Sooke Galloping Goose Potholes Regional Regional Trail Park

R Sooke River Rd

Crescent Beach 2

Parking Lot 1 Todd Creek Trestle 3 Todd Creek

Metres 0 100 200

Sooke Potholes to Todd Creek Trestle ELEVATION PROFILE

30 r

v 15 i

0 e k 1 o 2 3 o Elevation Change (m) Elevation

S Distance (m)100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1,000 1,100 GALLOPING GOOSE REGIONAL TRAIL Sooke River Road to Charters River Trestle

Getting There: From Sooke Road travel 2.3 km north on Sooke River Road to the Sooke River Road parking lot. About the Hike 2km (return) • Multi-use recreational trail • Accessible toilets and a rest area at the trailhead • Smooth gravel surface with less than 2% grades • Viewpoints from Charters River Trestle Photo Courtesy of William Ng What to Expect • Year round parking for 15 vehicles (seasonal over-fl ow parking available) Rest Station • Room for mini buses • No designated accessible parking stalls Golden Eagle • No public transit Extend Your Experience • Continue north on the Galloping Goose to the Todd Creek Trestle (Hike #1) • Visit the Charters River Salmon Interpretive Center at 2895 Sooke River Road Photo Courtesy of Phil Petersen 8 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS 2 r Rive Salmon Interpretive arters Centre 2 Ch Charters River Rd

Charters River Trestle

Sea to Sea Regional Park Reserve

Sooke River Rd

Galloping Goose Regional Trail

S oo ke Ri ver

Sooke River Rd

Metres 0 100 200

Sooke River Road to Charters River Trestle ELEVATION PROFILE

30 15 0 1 2 Elevation Change (m) Elevation Distance (m) 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 GALLOPING GOOSE REGIONAL TRAIL Roche Cove to Rocky Point

Getting There Take Highway 14 (Sooke Road) to Gillespie Road. Drive down Gillespie Road 2.7 km to Roche Cove Regional Park. About the Hike 4.7km (one way) • multi-use trail with a smooth gravel surface • Gradual slopes in a forested Red Squirrel environment • Ocean and lake views from various locations What to Expect Photo Courtesy of Deborah Kerr • Parking for 12 vehicles • Room for mid-size buses • Accessible toilets • Public transit (Mon-Fri) route #64 Photo Courtesy of Phil Petersen • No accessible parking stalls Extend Your Experience • Take the side trail to Matheson Lake and take the steep access trail to the beach • Drive to Aylard Farm in East Sooke Regional Park and do hike #5 • Drive to Pike Road in East Sooke Regional Park and do hike #4

Roche Cove Rest Station

10 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS Connie Rd 3 Sooke Rd

Kangaroo Rd

Roche Cove Gillespie Rd Regional Park

Galloping Goose 1 Regional Trail

Roche Cove 2

Gillespie Rd Matheson Lake

Matheson Lake Mt Matheson Rd 3 Park Rd Matheson Lake Regional Park

Rocky Point Rd

Metres Beecher Bay 0 500 1,000 First Nation DND

Roche Cove to Rocky Point ELEVATION PROFILE

30 15 BEECHER BAY 0 FIRSTF T NATION SutiacumS Rd 1 2 3 Elevation Change (m) Elevation Distance (m) 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 EAST SOOKE REGIONAL PARK Pike Road to Iron Mine Bay

Getting There: Take Highway 14 (Sooke Road) to Gillespie Road. Drive down Gillespie Road to the junction with East Sooke Road. Turn west onto East Sooke Road and travel 7.8km to Pike Road. Park in the parking lot at the end of Pike Road. About the Hike 1.5km (one way) Aylard Farm • Smooth gravel surface • Gradual slopes in a forested environment • Ocean views from a rest shelter Photo Courtesy of Phil Petersen What to Expect • Parking for 20+ vehicles • Room for mid-size buses • Accessible toilets at both ends of the trail • No public transportation • No accessible parking stalls Extend Your Experience • Take the short steep trail down to Iron Mine Bay beach • Drive to Aylard Farm in East Sooke Regional Park and do hike #5 • Drive to Roche Cove and do hike #3 from Roche Cove to Rocky Point Road Photo Courtesy of William Ng 12 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS Pike Rd East Sooke Rd 4

Pike Creek

East Sooke

Silver Spray Dr Regional Park

Iron Mine Bay Metres 0 100 200

Pike Road to Iron Mine Bay Trail ELEVATION PROFILE

30 15 0 1 2 Elevation Change (m) Elevation Distance (m) 250 500 750 1,000 1,250 1,500 EAST SOOKE REGIONAL PARK Aylard Farm to Becher Bay

Getting There Take Highway 14 (Sooke Road) to Gillespie Road. Drive down Gillespie Road to the junction with East Sooke Road, turn east onto East Sooke Road and travel 2.0km to Becher Bay Road. Drive 1.6km to the end of Becher Bay Road. About the Hike 300m (one way) Aylard Farm • Smooth gravel surface • Gradual slopes through old farmland and coastal forest environments Photo Courtesy of Phil Petersen • Ocean views from rest shelter What to Expect • Parking for 70+ vehicles (summer overfl ow parking also available) • Room for full-size buses • 4 accessible parking stalls Red-tailed Hawk • Accessible toilets at trailhead • Picnic areas • No public transit Extend Your Experience • Take the short steep trail down to Becher Bay beach • Drive to Pike Road in East Sooke Regional Park and do hike #4 • Drive to Roche Cove and do hike #3 from Roche Cove to Rocky Point Road

Photo Courtesy of Vearl BrownPhoto Courtesy of Vearl • Walk along one of the numerous Photo Courtesy of Phil Petersen trails in the Aylard Farm fi elds 14 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS 5

Becher Bay Rd

Aylard Farm

1 East Sooke Regional Park

Becher

Metres Bay 02040

Aylard Farm to Becher Bay ELEVATION PROFILE

30 15 0 1 2 3 Elevation Change (m) Elevation

Distance (m) 50 100 150 200 250 WITTY’S LAGOON REGIONAL PARK West-Mont School to Teaching Shelter

Getting There Take Highway 14 (Sooke Road) to Metchosin Road and drive 6.8 km to the entrance to the West-Mont Montessori School. The trailhead is off the elementary school parking lot close to the school. (Parking is very limited – busy times are during early morning drop off and mid afternoon pick up). Orange-Crowned Warbler About the Trail 300m (one way) • Smooth gravel surface. Photo Courtesy of Bobbi Neal • Gradual slopes through a forested environment What to Expect • 1 accessible parking stall • Teaching shelter Photo Courtesy of Rick Leche • Public transit on routes #54 or #55 • Accessible toilet near the teaching shelter Extend Your Experience • Drive to Tower Point in Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park and do Hike #7 Photo Courtesy of Bobbi Neal 16 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS 6 Metchosin Rd

Ruby Creek

West-Mont Montessori School

Witty’s Lagoon 2 Teaching Regional Park Shelter

Sitting Lady Falls

Witty's Metres 02040 Lagoon

West-Mont School to Teaching Shelter ELEVATION PROFILE

30 15 0 1 2 Elevation Change (m) Elevation

Distance (m) 50 100 150 200 250 300 WITTY’S LAGOON REGIONAL PARK Tower Point Trail (Seasonal)

Getting There Take Highway 14 (Sooke Road) to Metchosin Road and drive 5.7km to Duke Road. Take Duke Road 650m to the intersection with Olympic View Drive and turn west onto Olympic View Drive and drive 250m to Witty’s Lagoon-Tower Point parking lot. About the Trail 500m (one way) • Footpath with mixed gravel and dirt surfaces. • Ocean and mountain views Note: The trail to Tower Point can be muddy and slippery in the rainy season. What to Expect • Parking for 15 vehicles, plus overfl ow parking (June-Sept) • No accessible parking • No public transit Extend Your Experience • Take the side trails to the picnic areas in the fi eld • Drive to Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park and do Hike #6 to the Teaching Shelter

Harbour Seals Photo Courtesy of MIke Baird 18 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS Olympic View Dr 7

Bradene Rd

Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park

Parry Bay 3

Metres 03060 Tower Point

Tower Point Trail ELEVATION PROFILE

30 15 0 1 2 3 Elevation Change (m) Elevation Distance (m) 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 ESQUIMALT LAGOON Art Space

“Leisure... a personal experience: it is a state of mind and being that is related to a perceived sense of timelessness, intrinsic satisfaction, pleasure and choice” (RIV, 1992)

20 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS 8

Getting There Travel along Island highway, turn east at the lights immediately past West Shore Parks & Recreation, turning onto Ocean Boulevard. Turn left again, and head toward Fort Rodd Hill. The art space is located at the southern end of the lagoon on the ocean side of the road. About the Trail • Stable surface to accessible picnic table What to Expect • 1 Accessible parking space • Accessible Picnic table • Accessible washrooms located at the base of Lagoon road • Beautiful views of the Juan de Fuca strait • Views of Fisgard Lighthouse • Wildlife such as seals, ducks, herons and swans • Mural on the degaussing house • Public Transit on Route 52 Extend Your Experience • Drive to West Shore Parks & Recreation and walk the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre Trail #9 • Drive to the Colwood Creek Park and walk along the creek trail #10 USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS MAP Find a user-friendly trail in your neighborhood

Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

Greater Victoria Water Supply Area (No Public Access)

Trans-Canada Hwy

Sooke Potholes 1 Regional Park

Humpback Rd Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Galloping Goose Sooke River Rd 2 Regional Trail Sooke Otter Point Rd Metchosin Kangaroo Rd Roche Cove Sooke Regional Park Basin West Coast Rd 3 Matheson Lake East Sooke Rd Regional Park

4 Rocky Point Rd Gillespie Rd East Sooke Regional Park

Rd Juan de Fuca Becher Bay Electoral Area 5 22 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS Island View Beach Island View Regional Park Rd 17 Central Saanich Central Saanich Rd

Finlayson Arm

Willis Point Rd

Mount Work Oldfield Rd Regional Park Elk/Beaver Lake West SaanichRegional Rd Park 14

Highlands 16 Munn Rd Prospect Lake Rd Saanich

Francis/King Rd Blenkinsop Lochside

13 Dr Lochside Millstream Rd Regional Park View Regional Trail

Royal Patricia Bay Hwy 15 McKenzie Ave Langford

11 Blanshard St Gorge Rd W 12 Craigflower Rd Oak

Shelbourne St 9 Bay 10 Bay St Sooke Rd Esquimalt Pandora Ave Colwood Foul Bay Rd 8 Victoria Dallas Rd

Cook St

Moss St

Metchosin Rd 6

Duke Rd 7 Witty's Lagoon Regional Park

Juan de Fuca Strait

km 01234 WEST SHORE PARKS & RECREATION Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre Trail

“The outdoors is a non-judgmental non-condescending, environment.” ~ Almut Beringer La Trobe Univ., AUS

24 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS 9

Getting There Take the Island Highway to the West Shore Parks & Recreation at 1767 Island Highway. About the Trail 2.8km (loop) • Smooth gravel surface • Trail wanders in and out of the perimeter around the outdoor facilities at West Shore Parks & Recreation • Some grades are greater than 6% on the west portion of the trail What to Expect • 35 Accessible parking stalls (located in various locations) • Room for full-size buses • Picnic shelter with picnic tables • Numerous rest areas • Accessible washrooms in Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre • Playground • Public transit on Western Exchange Routes 25, 39, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 61 Extend Your Experience • Drive to Esquimalt Lagoon Roadand enjoy the view at the Art Space #8 • Travel to the Colwood Creek Trail #10 and enjoy the open green space. COLWOOD CREEK PARK Colwood Creek Trail

Getting There Travel along Jacklin Road and turn east onto Sunridge Valley Drive. About the Trail 300m (one way) • Smooth gravel surface • Very gentle slopes • Beautiful green space located in a suburban setting within the City of Colwood What to Expect • Rest stops

• Lighting along the paths Photo Courtesy of Bobbi Neal • Foot bridge over Colwood Creek • Playground • Off leash dog area • Picnic tables • Open green spaces • Public transit on route 59 to Jacklin Road • Public parking Extend Your Experience • Drive to Esquimalt Lagoon Art Space #8 for views of the Fisgard lighthouse • Travel to the JDF Recreation Centre trail #9 and walk to the Rotary Picnic Shelter • Drive to West-Mont School #6 and walk to the teaching shelter at Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park

26 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS 10 Galloping Goose Regional Trail

Brittany Dr Veterans Memorial Pky

Sunridge Valley Dr 4

Kanaca Pl Antrobus Cres

Macan Pl C o lw o od C re ek 3 2

Cecil Blogg Dr

6 1 Sooke Rd

Metres 0 50 100

ColwoodColwood CCreekreek TTrailrail EElevationlevation PProfilerofile 8080 Colwood Creek Trail ELEVATION PROFILE

7755 )

m 7070 ( 30 n o i 6565 t a

v 15 e

l 6060 Elevation (m) E 0 5555 1 2 3 4 5 6 5050 Elevation Change (m) Elevation Distance (m)100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1,000 1,100 1,200 LANGFORD Glen Lake Park

User-Friendly trails are welcoming and enable participation from everyone.

28 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS 11

Getting There Turn north onto Glen Lake Road then turn south east on Glenview Place which enters the parking lot located on Shoreview Drive. About the Trail • Smooth gravel surface • Very gentle slopes What to Expect • 2 accessible parking stalls • Rest stops • Accessible fi shing pier • Accessible playground • Off leash dog area • Accessible picnic tables • Open green spaces • Rain garden • Boating • No public transit Extend Your Experience • Drive to Francis/King Regional Park to walk the Elsie King Trail #13 and experience the interpretive centre GREATER VICTORIA Accessible Fishing Piers

Parks and trails provide opportunities to connect

with nature and our Visit accessible fi shing piers at neighbors; they contribute 1. Durrance Lake to the overall quality of 2. Elk/Beaver Lake Trail #16 3. Florence Lake, life and well being of all 4. Glen Lake on Trail #11 residents of the region. 5. Langford Lake, Ed Nixon Trail See page 22-23 for locations

30 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS FP PORTAGE PARK Portage Trail

Getting There Turn south off of the Old Island Highway onto View Royal Avenue. About the Trail 1.1km (loop) • A mix of course gravel and paved surfaces • Paved entrance to the park located between the View Royal Municipal Hall parking lot and the 4 Mile Restaurant parking lot What to Expect

• 1 wheelchair accessible parking Photo Courtesy of Bobbi Neal space at the Town of View Royal Municipal Hall • Trail loop that leads down to beach on Thetis Cove • Great surface for scooters, power wheelchairs • Surface can be challenging for manual wheelchairs • Picnic table • Public washrooms • Rest areas Extend Your Experience • Drive to West Shore Parks & Recreation #9 and walk along the golf course • Drive to Francis/King Regional Park and walk the boardwalk on the Elsie King Trail #13

32 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS Island Hwy 12 1

Fenton Rd 2

Portage View Royal Ave Park

Thetis Aldersmith Pl Cove

Metres 02550

Portage Park Trail ELEVATION PROFILE

30 15 0

Elevation Change (m) Elevation 1 2 3 4

Distance (m) 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1,000 1,100 FRANCIS/KING REGIONAL PARK Elsie King Trail

Getting There From Prospect Lake Road travel 300m northwest on Munn Road to Francis/King Regional Park. About the Trail 800m (loop) • Boardwalk and smooth gravel surfaces Note: boardwalk surfaces can be slippery when wet, please stay on Banana Slug wire meshed surface for your safety What to Expect

• Interpretive panels and Photo Courtesy of William Ng numerous rest areas • Accessible toilets • Picnic tables • Water fountain • Nature center Photo Courtesy of Deb Thiessen • Year round parking for 17 vehicles Elsie King Trail • 4 accessible parking stalls • Room for full-size buses • No public transit Extend Your Experience • Travel northwest 6.8 km on Munn Road to Mount Work Regional Park and do hike #14 Photo Courtesy of William Ng 34 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS 4 13

Francis/King 2 6 Regional Park

Munn Rd

Forester's Cabin

To Prospect Metres Lake Rd 02040

Elsie King Trail ELEVATION PROFILE

30 15 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Elevation Change (m) Elevation Distance (m) 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 MOUNT WORK REGIONAL PARK Munn Road Loop

Getting There Follow the Trans-Canada Highway from Victoria, and take the #14 exit to Highlands. Keep right at the fork. Turn right at Millstream Lake Road and slight right at Munn Road. About the Trail 650m (loop) • Smooth gravel surface • Gradual slopes in a forested Barred Owl environment What to Expect • Parking for 10 vehicles • 3 accessible parking stalls • Room for full and mid-size buses • Accessible toilet at trailhead • No public transit Extend Your Experience • Visit the Caleb Pike Homestead at 1589 Millstream Road

36 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS 2 3 14

Mount Work Regional Park

1 4

Munn Rd

Metres 02040

Munn Road Loop ELEVATION PROFILE

30 15 0 1 2 3 4 Elevation Change (m) Elevation Distance (m) 100 200 300 400 500 600 LOCHSIDE REGIONAL TRAIL Lochside Drive to Blenkinsop Trestle

Getting There: From McKenzie Avenue travel north onto Borden Street, turn south east onto Cedar Hill Cross Road, turn north onto Lochside Drive and continue 250m to parking area. About the Trail 900m (one way) • Gravel surface multi-use trail that follows a bygone rail line Salmonberry • Views of agricultural lands and wetlands. • The historic Blenkinsop trestle Photo Courtesy of William Ng What to Expect • Year round parking for 40+ vehicles • Room for full-size buses • Public transit on route 26 & 51 Photo Courtesy of William Ng to Borden Street and McKenzie Avenue and on route 6 to Quadra Great Blue Heron Street and Mckenzie Avenue • 1 accessible parking stall • Several rest areas • No washroom facilities Extend Your Experience • Continue north 750m to the continuation of Lochside drive • Walk 500m east from rest area #2 on the Blenkinsop Greenway (part of the Saanich Centennial Trail route) to Blenkinsop Road Photo Courtesy of Deb Thiessen 38 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS Blenkinsop Lake 15 5

Blenkinsop Rd

Blenkinsop Trestle

Lochside Regional Trail

Blenkinsop Greenway

Lochside Dr

Metres 0 100 200

Lochside Drive to Blenkinsop Trestle ELEVATION PROFILE

30 DrD 15 0 1 2 c 3 4 5

Elevation Change (m) Elevation o Lochside DrD D Distance (m) 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 ELK/BEAVER LAKE REGIONAL PARK Filter Beds to Brookleigh Boat Launch

Getting There From West Saanich Road turn east onto Beaver Lake Road and drive 1.2km to the Filter Beds parking lot. From Elk Lake Drive turn west onto Beaver Lake Road and drive 800m to the Filter Beds parking lot. About the Trail 5km (one way) • Multi-use trail with a smooth gravel surface • Gradual slopes in forested and lakeshore environments • Several rest areas • Opportunities for fi shing, swimming and cycling What to Expect • Ample parking at several locations with accessible stalls at Beaver Beach (7), Eagle Beach (2) and Hamsterly Beach (5) • Room for full-size buses • Public transit on routes #70 & #72 stopping at Elk Lake Drive and Sayward Road • Accessible toilets (closed Nov- Apr) and playgrounds at Beaver and Hamsterly Beaches Extend Your Experience • Continue on the west side of the lake and complete the 10km trail

Photo Courtesy of Bobbi Neal• Explore lakeside trails between Photo Courtesy of Phil Petersen 40 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS Beaver and Eagle Beaches Brookleigh Boat Launch 8 16

7 5 Hamsterly Beach Ski Beach 6

Elk Lake

Fishing Pier 4 Eagle Beach

Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park

Equestrian North Centre Beach 3 Beaver Beaver Beach Lake 2

Filter Beds

Metres 0 250 500

Filter Beds to Brookleigh Boat Launch ELEVATION PROFILE

Beaver North Eagle Hamsterly Brookleigh Beach Beach Beach Beach 30 15 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Elevation Change (m) Elevation

Distance (m) 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 5,000 ISLAND VIEW BEACH REGIONAL PARK Beach Trail

Getting There Take Highway 17 (Pat Bay Highway) to Island View Road. Drive east 2.7km on Island View Road until you reach Island View Beach Regional Park. About the Trail 900m (one way) • Smooth gravel surface • Gradual slopes in a seashore environment, above the high Oystercatchers watermarks • Ocean, island and mountain views Photo Courtesy of William Ng What to Expect • 6 accessible parking stalls • Parking for 120+ vehicles • Room for full-size buses • Accessible toilet at trailhead Photo Courtesy of Mike Baird • Picnic shelter • Seasonal campground (May long weekend to September long weekend) • No public transit Extend Your Experience • Continue north along the shoreline trail until it merges with the beach • Drive to Elk/Beaver Lake and do hike #16 Photo Courtesy of William Ng 42 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS 17

Cordova 4 Channel Island View Beach Regional Park

Homathko Rd

1 Island View Rd

Metres 0 50 100

Island View Beach Trail ELEVATION PROFILE

30 15 0

Elevation Change (m) Elevation 1 2 3 4

Distance (m) 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 PROJECT PARTNERS

For more information about the User–Friendly Trails project contact:

CRD Regional Parks www.crd.bc.ca/parks 250-478-3344 Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Dissability Issues (IACDI) www.colwood.ca 250-478-5999 West Shore Parks & Recreation www.westshorerecreation.ca 250-478-8384

Sponsors Measuring Up Progressive, Inclusive, Community

Legacies 2012 www.2010legaciesnow.com

UBCM

Union of British Columbia Municipalities Provincial funding administered by UBCM

Government of British Columbia

BCRPA BC Recreation and Parks Association’s Active Communities® Initiative Thank you to all whom have contributed their time and eff ort to “A Guide to User Friendly Trails”.

44 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS Additional Contributors Recreation Integration Victoria District of Highlands www.rivonline.org www.highlands.ca Power to Be District of Metchosin www.powertobe.ca www.district.metchosin.bc.ca City of Colwood Town of View Royal www.colwood.ca www.viewroyal.ca City of Langford www.cityofl angford.ca Check out the trails and parks in each municipality. Links & Resources Active Living Alliance for CRD Regional Parks Canadians with a Disability www.crd.bc.ca/parks/accessibility.htm www.ala.ca/content/home.asp www.crd.bc.ca/parks/events Active Living Coalition Greater Victoria Active Communities for Older Adults www.fi tinfi tness.ca www.alcoa.ca Juan de Fuca Pathfi nders British Columbia Recreation Walking Club and Parks Association www.jdfpathfi nders.ca www.bcrpa.bc.ca Metchosin Community House Caleb Pike Heritage Park www.metchosincommunityhouse.com www.calebpikeheritagepark.org Public Health Agency of Canada’s Physical Activity Guide Canada’s Healthy Living Unit www.paguide.com www.phac-aspc.gc.ca Canadian Association for the SPARC BC Advancement of Women and www.sparc.bc.ca Sport and Physical Activity Union of British Columbia www.caaws.ca Municipalities Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle www.ubcm.ca Research Institute Victoria Airport www.cfl ri.ca www.victoriaairport.com/news Canadian Institutes of Victoria Volkssport Health Research www.vvpf.ca www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca Walk Victoria Coalition for Active Living www.walk-victoria.com www.activeliving.ca

USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS | 45 Go beyond the parking lot, experience user-friendly trails.

Front Cover Photo Courtesy of William Ng / Back Cover Photo Courtesy of Bobbi Neal