User-Friendly Trails Guide

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 Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (IACDI). In 2006, the committee envisioned an accessible trail guide that would encourage people of all abilities to participate in the outdoors.

With the assistance of West Shore Parks & Recreation, IACDI received a grant from 2010 Legacies Now/Measuring Up. The funds allowed for the City of Colwood, City of Langford, District of Highlands, District of Metchosin and the Town of View Royal to implement a total of 13 accessible improvements.

CRD Regional Parks received a grant from UBCM to increase visitor accessibility. It included implementing a trail assessment for recreation needs of seniors and communication tools to share the results. In partnership, IACDI, CRD Parks and West Shore Parks & Recreation began to develop a tool that highlights easy to use outdoor experiences in our region.

The Guide to User-Friendly Trails is a pilot project which has focussed on the West Shore communities and CRD parks. In its creation we hope to inspire 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 Profiles

2

Map Legend

3

Being Prepared

4

Adapted Equipment Loans

5

Overview Map

22-23

13 Elsie King Trail

34

Mount Work Regional Park 14 Munn Road Loop

36

Lochside Regional Trail 15 Lochside Drive to Blenkinsop Trestle

38

Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park

Partners & Sponsors

44

Links & Resources

45

Island View Beach Regional Park

Additional Contributors

45

17

16 Filter Beds to Brookleigh Boat Launch

Beach Trail

40 42

Photo Courtesy of William Ng

USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS

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HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

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

These profiles show key features about the trail such as trail length, rest stops, view points, washrooms and grade changes.

The numbers on the profile 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 profiles 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

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Being Prepared How to Dress • Even in summer, be prepared for wet, cool conditions. West coast weather can change quickly.

• Dress in layers.

• Wear clothing that stays warm when wet and dries quickly (i.e. fleece - not cotton).

• Wear appropriate footwear (i.e. sturdy hiking shoes).

Hike Safely • Plan your trip and stick to the plan.

• Check weather forecasts before heading out.

• Make sure your equipment is in good working order.

• Know the trails of the parks you visit.

Read park brochures and information kiosks.

• Stay on designated trails.

• Hike with a friend, in a group, or leave a trip plan with a friend. If you don’t return on schedule, your friend can contact emergency personnel.

• 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

What to Bring Always carry a daypack filled with essentials. Although your plan may be for a short walk it’s a good idea to plan for a full day event in case of an emergency Here are some suggestions: • current map of area • water • snacks and extra food • cell phone • flashlight or head lamp and spare batteries • large orange plastic bag (useful as rainwear, shelter or for signalling) • extra clothing in a waterproof plastic bag (i.e. raingear, hat, gloves) • sunscreen • first aid kit (be familiar with the contents) • whistle • pack of tissues • plastic bags for pet droppings • fully charged mobility device, ie: electric wheelchair/scooter battery

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, fill 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

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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 than 2% grades • Viewpoints from Todd Creek Trestle

Photo Courtesy of Rick Leche

Black-Tailed Deer

Bracken Fern

6 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS

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 River Canyon • 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

Parking Lot 2

1

Barnes Station Historic Site

1

Sea to Sea Regional Park Reserve

Old Lodge Site

Galloping Goose Regional Trail

Sooke Potholes Regional Park

er Rd e Riv Sook

S ooke River

Crescent Beach

2

Parking Lot 1 Todd Creek Trestle 3

Todd Creek

100

Metres 200

Sooke Potholes to Todd Creek Trestle ELEVATION PROFILE 30 15 0

Sooke Ri ve r

Elevation Change (m)

0

1

Distance (m)100

200

300

400

500

600

700

2 800

900

1,000

3 1,100

GALLOPING GOOSE REGIONAL TRAIL

Sooke River Road to Charters River Trestle

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 What to Expect • Year round parking for 15 vehicles (seasonal over-flow parking available) • Room for mini buses • No designated accessible parking stalls • No public transit

Rest Station

Photo Courtesy of Phil Petersen

Golden Eagle

8 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS

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 William Ng

Getting There: From Sooke Road travel 2.3 km north on Sooke River Road to the Sooke River Road parking lot.

2 Salmon Interpretive Centre Charters River Rd

rters R C ha

2

iv er

Charters River Trestle Sea to Sea Regional Park Reserve

d rR ive eR ok So

So o

ke

Galloping Goose Regional Trail

Riv er

Sooke River Rd

1

0

Metres 200

100

Elevation Change (m)

Sooke River Road to Charters River Trestle ELEVATION PROFILE 30 15 0

2

1

Distance (m) 100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

GALLOPING GOOSE REGIONAL TRAIL

Roche Cove to Rocky Point

About the Hike 4.7km (one way) • multi-use trail with a smooth gravel surface • Gradual slopes in a forested environment • Ocean and lake views from various locations Photo Courtesy of Phil Petersen

Red Squirrel

What to Expect • Parking for 12 vehicles • Room for mid-size buses • Accessible toilets • Public transit (Mon-Fri) route #64 • 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

Photo Courtesy of Deborah Kerr

Getting There Take Highway 14 (Sooke Road) to Gillespie Road. Drive down Gillespie Road 2.7 km to Roche Cove Regional Park.

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Sooke R d

Rd

Ka

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ar

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d pie R Gilles

Roche Cove Regional Park

Rd

Galloping Goose Regional Trail

1 2

Roch e Co ve

Gillespie Rd

Matheson Lake

M

es

Matheson Lake Regional Park

Rd

Roc

on

3

Rd

th

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Ma

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Mt

0

500

Beecher Bay First Nation

Metres 1,000

DND

Rd

30 15 0

1

Distance (m) 500

2 1,000

Su tia cu m

Elevation Change (m)

Roche Cove to Rocky Point ELEVATION PROFILE

BEECHER BAY F T NATION FIRST 1,500

2,000

3 2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500

EAST SOOKE REGIONAL PARK

Pike Road to Iron Mine Bay

About the Hike 1.5km (one way) • Smooth gravel surface • Gradual slopes in a forested environment • Ocean views from a rest shelter

Aylard Farm

Photo Courtesy of William Ng

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

12 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS

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 Phil Petersen

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.

4

e Pik

d ooke R East S

Rd

Silv er S pra yD r

Pike Cree k

1

East Sooke Regional Park

2

Iron Mine Bay 0

Metres 200

100

Elevation Change (m)

Pike Road to Iron Mine Bay Trail ELEVATION PROFILE 30 15 0

2

1

Distance (m)

250

500

750

1,000

1,250

1,500

EAST SOOKE REGIONAL PARK

Aylard Farm to Becher Bay

Photo Courtesy of Phil Petersen

Aylard Farm

Photo Courtesy of Vearl Brown

Red-tailed Hawk

14 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS

About the Hike 300m (one way) • Smooth gravel surface • Gradual slopes through old farmland and coastal forest environments • Ocean views from rest shelter What to Expect • Parking for 70+ vehicles (summer overflow parking also available) • Room for full-size buses • 4 accessible parking stalls • 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 • Walk along one of the numerous trails in the Aylard Farm fields

Photo Courtesy of Phil Petersen

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.

Becher Bay R d

5 Aylard Farm

East Sooke Regional Park

1

2

3

20

Elevation Change (m)

0

Becher Bay

Metres 40

Aylard Farm to Becher Bay ELEVATION PROFILE 30 15 0

2

1

Distance (m)

50

100

150

200

250

3

WITTY’S LAGOON REGIONAL PARK

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).

Photo Courtesy of Rick Leche

Orange-Crowned Warbler

About the Trail 300m (one way) • Smooth gravel surface.

• Gradual slopes through a forested environment What to Expect • 1 accessible parking stall • Teaching shelter • Public transit on routes #54 or #55 • Accessible toilet near the teaching shelter

Photo Courtesy of Bobbi Neal

Extend Your Experience • Drive to Tower Point in Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park and do Hike #7

16 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS

Photo Courtesy of Bobbi Neal

West-Mont School to Teaching Shelter

in os

6

Rd

h

tc Me

1

ek Cre by Ru

West-Mont Montessori School

Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park

2

Teaching Shelter

Sitting Lady Falls

20

Elevation Change (m)

0

Witty's Lagoon

Metres 40

West-Mont School to Teaching Shelter ELEVATION PROFILE 30 15 0

2

1

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 overflow parking (June-Sept) • No accessible parking • No public transit

Harbour Seals 18 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS

Photo Courtesy of MIke Baird

Extend Your Experience • Take the side trails to the picnic areas in the field • Drive to Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park and do Hike #6 to the Teaching Shelter

Oly

mp

ic V

iew

7

Dr

Bra

den

eR

d

1

Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park

2

3

Parry Bay

0

Metres 60

30

Tower Point

Elevation Change (m)

Tower Point Trail ELEVATION PROFILE 30 15 0 Distance (m)

2

1 50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

3 450

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

Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

Otter

Point

Rd Hu mp ba ck

1 Sooke River Rd

Sooke Potholes Regional Park

Trans-Canada Hwy

Greater Victoria Water Supply Area (No Public Access)

2

Rd

Galloping Goose Regional Trail

Sooke

Metchosin Ka ng

Ea st S ook eR d

4 East Sooke Regional Park

Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

22 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS

Gille spie Rd

Sooke Basin

Rd

Be ch er Rd Bay

oast

tC Wes

aro Roche Cove oR d Regional Park Matheson Lake 3 Regional Park

5

Rd int Po y k c Ro

15

Langford

12

Esquimalt

Bay St Pandora Ave

8

Oak Bay

Da lla sR d

Cook S t Moss S t

Victoria

Du ke Rd Me tcho sin Rd

Colwood

6

9

d eR ok So

10

Go rge Rd W Cr aig flo we rR d

McKenzie Ave

St ard nsh Bla

11

Lochside Regional Trail

Foul Bay Rd

View Royal

Shelbourne St

13

Blenkinsop Rd

Francis/King Regional Park

Saanich

16 Lochside Dr

d Munn R

Rd

Millstream Rd

Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park

ch ni aa tS es W

14 Highlands

Rd

Prospect Lake Rd

Mount Work Regional Park

Patricia Bay Hwy

Willis P oint

Central Saanich Rd

m Ar

Island View Rd 17

Oldfield Rd

on ys a l Fin

Central Saanich

Island View Beach Regional Park

7 Witty's Lagoon Regional Park

t aS

rai

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e nd

Fu

a Ju

0

1

2

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km 4

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

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 • 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

Photo Courtesy of Bobbi Neal

Getting There Travel along Jacklin Road and turn east onto Sunridge Valley Drive.

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Sun

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Brittany Dr

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Kana ca Pl

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So ok eR d

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nP

Metres 100 Colwood C ollwoodd C Creek reekk TTrail raiil EElevation levation PProfile roffile

Colwood Creek Trail ELEVATION PROFILE

75 Elevation (m)

Elevation Change (m)

80

70 30 65 15 60 0 55

1

2

3

4

5

6

50

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 fishing 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 neighbors; they contribute to the overall quality of life and well being of all residents of the region.

30 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS

Visit accessible fishing piers at 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Durrance Lake Elk/Beaver Lake Trail #16 Florence Lake, Glen Lake on Trail #11 Langford Lake, Ed Nixon Trail

See page 22-23 for locations

FP

PORTAGE PARK

Portage Trail

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 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

Photo Courtesy of Bobbi Neal

Getting There Turn south off of the Old Island Highway onto View Royal Avenue.

Island H

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Av e

Fent

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3

Vie w

Portage Park

Al

de rs

m

ith

Pl

4

Thetis Cove

25

Elevation Change (m)

0

Metres 50

Portage Park Trail ELEVATION PROFILE 30 15 0

1

2

Distance (m) 100

4

3 200

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.

Note: boardwalk surfaces can be slippery when wet, please stay on wire meshed surface for your safety

Photo Courtesy of Deb Thiessen

Banana Slug

Elsie King Trail

What to Expect • Interpretive panels and numerous rest areas • Accessible toilets • Picnic tables • Water fountain • Nature center • Year round parking for 17 vehicles • 4 accessible parking stalls • Room for full-size buses • No public transit

Photo Courtesy of William Ng

Extend Your Experience • Travel northwest 6.8 km on Munn Road to Mount Work Regional Park and do hike #14

34 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS

Photo Courtesy of William Ng

About the Trail 800m (loop) • Boardwalk and smooth gravel surfaces

13

4

5

3

Francis/King Regional Park

6

2

7 1

nn

Mu Rd Forester's Cabin

20

Elevation Change (m)

0

To Prospect Lake Rd

Metres 40

Elsie King Trail ELEVATION PROFILE 30 15 0

Distance (m)

1 100

2 200

4

3 300

6

5 400

500

7 600

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.

Barred Owl

About the Trail 650m (loop) • Smooth gravel surface • Gradual slopes in a forested 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

14

2

3

Mount Work Regional Park

1 4

Munn Rd

20

Elevation Change (m)

0

Metres 40

Munn Road Loop ELEVATION PROFILE 30 15 0

2

1

Distance (m)

100

200

4

3 300

400

500

600

LOCHSIDE REGIONAL TRAIL

Lochside Drive to Blenkinsop Trestle

About the Trail 900m (one way) • Gravel surface multi-use trail that follows a bygone rail line • Views of agricultural lands and wetlands.

• The historic Blenkinsop trestle Photo Courtesy of William Ng

Salmonberry

Photo Courtesy of Deb Thiessen

Great Blue Heron

38 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS

What to Expect • Year round parking for 40+ vehicles • Room for full-size buses • Public transit on route 26 & 51 to Borden Street and McKenzie Avenue and on route 6 to Quadra 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 William Ng

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.

15

Blenkinsop Lake

5

Blenkinsop Rd

4

Blenkinsop Trestle

3

Lochside Regional Trail

sop lenkin

way

Green

B 2

Lochside Dr

Metres 200

100

Lochside Drive to Blenkinsop Trestle ELEVATION PROFILE

Loc hsi de Dr

Elevation Change (m)

0

1

30 15 0 2

1

Distance (m)

100

200

300

4

3 400

500

600

700

800

5 900

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.

Photo Courtesy of Bobbi Neal

Photo Courtesy of Phil Petersen

From Elk Lake Drive turn west onto Beaver Lake Road and drive 800m to the Filter Beds parking lot.

40 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS

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 fishing, 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 NovApr) and playgrounds at Beaver and Hamsterly Beaches Extend Your Experience • Continue on the west side of the lake and complete the 10km trail • Explore lakeside trails between Beaver and Eagle Beaches

16

Brookleigh Boat Launch

8

7

5

Ski Beach

Hamsterly Beach

6

Elk Lake Fishing Pier

4

Eagle Beach

Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park

Equestrian Centre

North Beach

3

Beaver Lake

Beaver Beach 2

Filter Beds

1

Metres 500

250

Elevation Change (m)

0

Filter Beds to Brookleigh Boat Launch ELEVATION PROFILE 30 15 0

Beaver Beach

1

Distance (m) 500

North Beach

2

Eagle Beach

4

3 1,000

Hamsterly Beach

1,500

2,000

2,500

5 3,000

3,500

Brookleigh

6 4,000

7 4,500

8 5,000

ISLAND VIEW BEACH REGIONAL PARK

Beach Trail

About the Trail 900m (one way) • Smooth gravel surface • Gradual slopes in a seashore environment, above the high watermarks • Ocean, island and mountain views

Photo Courtesy of William Ng

Photo Courtesy of Mike Baird

Oystercatchers

42 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS

What to Expect • 6 accessible parking stalls • Parking for 120+ vehicles • Room for full-size buses • Accessible toilet at trailhead • 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

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.

17

3 2

Cordova Channel

4

Island View Beach Regional Park

Rd athko Hom 1

Island View Rd Metres 100

50

Elevation Change (m)

0

Island View Beach Trail ELEVATION PROFILE 30 15 0

2

1

Distance (m)

100

200

300

400

500

600

4

3 700

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 effort to “A Guide to User Friendly Trails”.

44 | USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS

Additional Contributors Recreation Integration Victoria www.rivonline.org

District of Highlands www.highlands.ca

Power to Be www.powertobe.ca

District of Metchosin www.district.metchosin.bc.ca

City of Colwood www.colwood.ca

Town of View Royal www.viewroyal.ca

City of Langford www.cityoflangford.ca

Check out the trails and parks in each municipality.

Links & Resources Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability www.ala.ca/content/home.asp

CRD Regional Parks www.crd.bc.ca/parks/accessibility.htm www.crd.bc.ca/parks/events

Active Living Coalition for Older Adults www.alcoa.ca

Greater Victoria Active Communities www.fitinfitness.ca

British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association www.bcrpa.bc.ca Caleb Pike Heritage Park www.calebpikeheritagepark.org Canada’s Physical Activity Guide www.paguide.com Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity www.caaws.ca Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute www.cflri.ca Canadian Institutes of Health Research www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca Coalition for Active Living www.activeliving.ca

Juan de Fuca Pathfinders Walking Club www.jdfpathfinders.ca Metchosin Community House www.metchosincommunityhouse.com Public Health Agency of Canada’s Healthy Living Unit www.phac-aspc.gc.ca SPARC BC www.sparc.bc.ca Union of British Columbia Municipalities www.ubcm.ca Victoria Airport www.victoriaairport.com/news Victoria Volkssport www.vvpf.ca Walk Victoria www.walk-victoria.com USER-FRIENDLY TRAILS

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Go beyond the parking lot, experience user-friendly trails.

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