If you want to have a true ‘west coast’ experience – without going too far away from Victoria, nothing beats East Sooke Regional Park! East Sooke is the largest CRD Park, encompassing 1422 hectares ( 3512 acres) of natural and protected coastal landscape. In this Wilderness Recreation Park, you’ll experience solitude and harmony with nature in a par untouched by urban progress.
Over 50 kilometers ( 31 miles) of trails draw you into the timeless beauty of East Sooke.
Part of the coast trail…a true west coast feel
There are 3 different entrances into East Sooke Park:
1. Aylard Farm is popular with picnickers, and those looking for easy excursions. A 5-minute walk through open fields leads to a short steep dirt trail down to pocket beach (very small) where you can discover intertidal life, or watch river otters scurrying across the sand. Trails head inland to hilltop views, or along the rugged 10km Coast Trail. There are restrooms and a picnic area close to the very large parking lot here.
Crossing the pastures of Aylard Farm
2. Anderson Cove, on the Sooke Basin, is the starting point for hikers heading to Babbington Hill, and Mount Maguire. On these hilltops, Bald Eagles, and Red-tailed Hawks join you for sweeping views of the Olympic Peninsula. If you time it right in the fall … you’ll be blown away by hundreds of Turkey Vultures kettling (circling) getting ready for their southward migration. They aren’t the greatest of fliers, so they kettle until the wind/conditions are right for them to make the flight across the Strait. There’s no set time/day (obviously) but it’s worth a hike up to the top anyway just in case. It’s not too far up, but it is a steep path up.
3. Pike Road is the most westerly access to the park, and to the Coast Trail. An old logging road winds through forest to meadow and beach at Iron Mine Bay. Here, at low tide, look for Periwinkles, Goose Neck Barnacles, and Purple Sea Stars. There are restrooms at the entrance near the parking lot.
The stunning walk along Pike Rd to Iron Mine Bay
Iron Mine Bay
The Coast Trail
The trail itself is stunning with expansive views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Peninsula in the background. The trail is a 10km moderate to difficult with spots that require scrambling over rocks. Wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water and some food (or munchies) if you decide to hike it … it gets very hot in the summer. Give yourself approximately 7 hours to walk the entire 10km (one way). It sounds like a long time but BELIEVE ME it can take that long.
he Coast Trail has spectacular view points no matter the weather!
If you want to hike the whole Coast Trail (10.5km), leaving a car at each end of the trail (Aylard Farm & Pike Rd.) helps when you reach the end … you can drive back and pick up the other car (if there’s at least 2 of you that is!) I have seen people hike both ways, and it can be done if you’re VERY fit and don’t stop much to sight see. I would not recommend it unless you’re sure you know what you’re getting into! There is a lot of up and down and in and out around all the inlets and points along the coast.
Stunning views over Juan de Fuca Strait along the first section of the Coast Trail near Aylard Farm
View of Race Rocks from the Coast Trail
If you don’t want to hike the entire trail, the section from Aylard Farm to Beechey Head is beautiful and gives you a great sense of the what the coast along here is all about. There is also a spot along the way where you can see some cool petroglyphs. You have to watch for the signs and step off the main path a bit as they’re facing the water.
Petroglyphs
Babbington Hill
Another short(er) hike is up to Babbington Hill where you can see for miles out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. If you time it right in the fall … you’ll be blown away by hundreds of Turkey Vultures kettling (circling) getting ready for their southward migration. They aren’t the greatest of fliers, so they kettle until the wind/conditions are right for them to make the flight across the Strait. There’s no set time/day (obviously) but it’s worth a hike up to the top anyway just in case. It’s not too far up, but it is a steep path up.
Maps
Click here for the East Sooke Regional Park Map
Here are directions to East Sooke Park. Allow approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour driving time from Victoria.
Leave A Comment