Beautiful Hikes in East Sooke Park (Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC)

The Aylard Farm trail is an easy and picturesque stroll on the eastern side of the park. It's not really a hiking trail but rather a leisurely walking trail. This short 15 minute trail takes you through a long-gone homestead and then to an oceanside picnic area. Follow the signs to the sandy beach along Becher Bay and then hike to Creyke Point to enjoy a secluded view of Campbell Cove. Here you can watch seals hunt, birds soar and cruise ships lumber ponderously through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The majestic Olympic mountains stand tall in the background. Consider this trail if you're looking for an easy and scenic hiking trail just outside of Victoria, British Columbia.

This is a short stroll, only 20 minutes, and fairly flat. If you decide to go to the end at rocky Creyke Point, wear good running shoes and prepare to step around some puddles. A wind jacket is suggested for the evenings if you want to watch the sunset. Click here for directions.

Dogs are not permitted in on the beach or picnic area between June 1 - September 15. They must be leasted and under controlled while on all trails.

Another picturesque and easy hiking trail in East Sooke Park is along Pike Road, an old logging road that is now a well groomed, gravel walking path. I take relatives here when visiting Victoria, BC. This flat path on the western side of the park goes through a dense forest of Douglas fir, hemlock and even Sitka spruce. In the morning, the forest echoes with bird calls as the early fog is burned off from the warming sun. When you make it to the pebbly beach along Iron Mine Bay, you'll enjoy the soothing sounds as the tidal flow laps at the beach.

Small islands dot the cove and the Olympic mountains completes the background. This is a short stroll and fairly flat. Again, good running shoes are all that is needed for this hiking trail but be prepared to step around some puddles. This hike takes 25 minutes one way. Click here for directions.

Anderson Cove is a sheltered bay off of the Sooke Basin. This is the starting point for the Mount Maguire hiking trail. Beginning at sea level, you'll hike to the peak (800') through a dense forest of Douglas firs, hemlock and maple trees. Depending on the season, you'll be greeted with soaring eagles and hawks and a panoramic view of the Olympic peninsula of Washington State.

The path is covered with tree roots and shallow mud so you'll definitely need hiking boots. Sections of the trail are quite steep but are clearly defined. A hiker with an average fitness level will be able to complete this hike in about 1 hour (one way). Don't forget this is a wilderness park and encountering wildlife close up is a possibility. Click here for directions.

This hike is mainly through second-growth forest and has no views of the water. It takes about 40 minutes to get here from downtown Victoria.

The Coast Trail in East Sooke Park offers a true west coast wilderness experience and is recommended for experienced hikers. This strenuous 10 km hiking trail weaves along the coastal boundary of the park and will take you to the edge of the pounding sea and inside heavily shaded rain forests. Numerous inclines and declines, some along rock outcrops, will challenge the most experienced trekkers but will reward you with some of the most spectacular west coast scenery Vancouver Island has to offer.

This hiking trial stays close to the ocean front from Alyard Farm to Iron Bay Cove and can easily take 6-8 hours to complete. Ensure sure you have a ride at the end of the trail or take two cars from Victoria and drop one off at the other end ahead of time. Good hiking boots are required as well as emergency equipment for unexpected weather and incidents. Click here for directions.

The trail can be quite rocky with large steps to climb and descend. The trail is well marked with yellow, metal route markers that are on rocks and trees.

Coppermine trail is a less popular hike in East Sooke Park, but it is scenic and has a long history. The hiking path follows a well groomed, former mining road that skirts beside Mt. McGuire and ends at the coast with scenic views of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains of Washington State.

The hiking path starts with a gradual incline as it skirts Mt. McGuire where an important trail junction can be found.

• To the left, a trail leads to Anderson Cove with good forest views.


• To the right, a steep trail leads up Mt. McGuire for some nice coastal views.


• Straight ahead, is the continuation of the Coppermine Trail that leads to the shore.

Continuing straight ahead, the hiking trail flattens as it bypasses marshy areas filled with Lantern plants, a location frequented by mule deer. Further ahead, the forest thickens and darkens as it approach the abandoned mine shafts that were once used for ore extraction for over 100 years. These open caverns in the side of Mt. McGuire are dark and deep and, from the looks of it, still accessible. I watched too many horror movies as a teenager so was not interested in venturing in.

From this point, there hiking trail drops rapidly towards the sea level. The road narrows to a dirt, hiking path as it meanders through open meadows and thick bush. At one point, a downed tree crossed the path, at another point it skimmed the lip of a deep ravine. With the afternoon light, great photo opportunities can be found here.

At the end of the decent, the trail connects with the more popular Coast Trail (good signage throughout the park) where great views can be had of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains of Washington State. At low tide, it would be possible to venture down to the rocky beaches at the bottom of the coastal shelf.

The difficult part of the hiking trail starts on the return journey where the 400' elevation gain makes for a hardy cardio workout. Since the forest is quite thick here, there is little wind to cool you down. Bring plenty of water.

Getting There: Drive up to the top of Coppermine Road, where the road changes from pavement to gravel. Park here and continue straight ahead. I mistakenly went to the left along Gordon Road before turning back to find the trail head. It takes about 40 minutes to get to the trailhead from Victoria, BC.

Coppermine Trail is a well groomed path that was a former mining road and takes you past two creepy mining shafts in the side of Mt. McGuire. Eventually, the path narrows and leads to the seashore where it connects with the more popular Coast Trail of East Sooke Park.

Even though the trail conditions are usual very good, the elevation change makes for a challenging cardiovascular workout.