Looking for a great spot for a sunrise yoga session, or a cozy sunset date night with a big blanket? Here's some local insider tips on my favourite places to go in the Victoria/Sooke area. Most places you will need a vehicle to get to, as they are not all serviced by public transit.
Sunrise:
~The easiest spots would be Mt Tolmie, or Mt Doug. You can just drive to the top and take in the view. Watch the suns rays creep across the city as it comes to life below you. Although somedays, the gated road to the top of Mt Doug may not be unlocked in time to take in the show.
~Island View Beach is a great spot too, on a clear day you can see all the way to Mt Baker, and during the winter months, the sun actually rises from directly behind Mt Baker.
~There's a nice high point in Esquimalt as well, Highrock Park close to Lampson st, so a nice option for folks in that area of town.
~If you want to take in the view from within a park on a mountaintop, there are a few good spots as well. Lone Tree Hill is a short 30 minute hike to the summit, with an unobstructed 300 degree view (just a few trees in your way looking north). Mt Wells offers a good vantage point as well, but is a more challenging hike than Lone Tree. And of course, Mt Finlayson. Sunrise might be the best time to enjoy this summit, as it is a very busy trail, and you'll enjoy a little more peace and quiet during sunrise.
Sunrise:
~The easiest spots would be Mt Tolmie, or Mt Doug. You can just drive to the top and take in the view. Watch the suns rays creep across the city as it comes to life below you. Although somedays, the gated road to the top of Mt Doug may not be unlocked in time to take in the show.
~Island View Beach is a great spot too, on a clear day you can see all the way to Mt Baker, and during the winter months, the sun actually rises from directly behind Mt Baker.
~There's a nice high point in Esquimalt as well, Highrock Park close to Lampson st, so a nice option for folks in that area of town.
~If you want to take in the view from within a park on a mountaintop, there are a few good spots as well. Lone Tree Hill is a short 30 minute hike to the summit, with an unobstructed 300 degree view (just a few trees in your way looking north). Mt Wells offers a good vantage point as well, but is a more challenging hike than Lone Tree. And of course, Mt Finlayson. Sunrise might be the best time to enjoy this summit, as it is a very busy trail, and you'll enjoy a little more peace and quiet during sunrise.
Sunset:
This is a tricky one to enjoy. Because some parks lock the gate to the parking lots AT SUNSET... So chose your parking spot and access point wisely. I've got a few good spots that are only 15 minutes from the parking lots, so folks can still enjoy the show and are able to walk back to their vehicle with enough daylight and time to exit the parking lot.
~Lone Tree Hill is a good spot for sunset as well, since the hike down is quick and the trail is not too technical, so not too many things to trip over in the fading daylight.
~The sunset view from Mt Wells is spectacular, and with no light pollution coming from the Sooke Hills beside it, this is a good spot for stargazing, just bring a headlamp for the hike back down as this trail is quite a challenge even in the light of day. You can find parking outside the gated lot at Mt Wells if you're worried about being locked in, but I've driven Humpback rd many nights and never seen the gate for that one locked.
~Mill Hill has two trails to the summit, one of which is mostly evenly spread crushed gravel, making it easy to hike up. I used to live beside that park, and would walk to the summit on clear nights with only the moon to light my way. Its a nice view of the city, and there is good western exposure to watch the Sunset from. This parking lot is usually locked on time, as it it right beside the CRD parks head office. There is another access point to the trail beside Crystal View Elementary, with some spots for street parking. Look for a gate close to the basketball court and playing field at the school to get on the trail.
~A few good beach spots to take in the Sunset would be Aylard Farm in East Sooke Park (or any spot on the East Sooke Coastal Trail), Wiffin Spit in Sooke, Muir Creek beach about 10 minutes past Sooke, Jordan River, or China Beach. The parking areas of the last 4 spots I listed are not locked overnight, so folks can bring a blanket and watch the stars come out. The beach at Jordan River is right beside the highway, with a big pull-off area where you can take in the view from the warmth of your vehicle.
This is a tricky one to enjoy. Because some parks lock the gate to the parking lots AT SUNSET... So chose your parking spot and access point wisely. I've got a few good spots that are only 15 minutes from the parking lots, so folks can still enjoy the show and are able to walk back to their vehicle with enough daylight and time to exit the parking lot.
~Lone Tree Hill is a good spot for sunset as well, since the hike down is quick and the trail is not too technical, so not too many things to trip over in the fading daylight.
~The sunset view from Mt Wells is spectacular, and with no light pollution coming from the Sooke Hills beside it, this is a good spot for stargazing, just bring a headlamp for the hike back down as this trail is quite a challenge even in the light of day. You can find parking outside the gated lot at Mt Wells if you're worried about being locked in, but I've driven Humpback rd many nights and never seen the gate for that one locked.
~Mill Hill has two trails to the summit, one of which is mostly evenly spread crushed gravel, making it easy to hike up. I used to live beside that park, and would walk to the summit on clear nights with only the moon to light my way. Its a nice view of the city, and there is good western exposure to watch the Sunset from. This parking lot is usually locked on time, as it it right beside the CRD parks head office. There is another access point to the trail beside Crystal View Elementary, with some spots for street parking. Look for a gate close to the basketball court and playing field at the school to get on the trail.
~A few good beach spots to take in the Sunset would be Aylard Farm in East Sooke Park (or any spot on the East Sooke Coastal Trail), Wiffin Spit in Sooke, Muir Creek beach about 10 minutes past Sooke, Jordan River, or China Beach. The parking areas of the last 4 spots I listed are not locked overnight, so folks can bring a blanket and watch the stars come out. The beach at Jordan River is right beside the highway, with a big pull-off area where you can take in the view from the warmth of your vehicle.
** If driving past Shirley/French Beach area, be sure to call Stoked Wood Fired Pizzeria for take-out when passing through Sooke.
It should be ready by the time you arrive, and makes the perfect choice for dinner on the beach!
If you need a guide & a ride for a sunset hiking adventure, contact me through the website, email directly to TheNaturalConnectionVictoria@gmail.com, or call 250-588-0963.
Happy Trails!
~Ryan
It should be ready by the time you arrive, and makes the perfect choice for dinner on the beach!
If you need a guide & a ride for a sunset hiking adventure, contact me through the website, email directly to TheNaturalConnectionVictoria@gmail.com, or call 250-588-0963.
Happy Trails!
~Ryan