If you only have time for one hike in Victoria, make it this one. Mount Douglas Park—known officially now as PKOLS. The park sits just twenty minutes northeast of downtown, yet feels like a full escape into old-growth forest and coastal air. The payoff at the top is a genuine 360-degree panorama that stretches from downtown Victoria across the Haro Strait to the Gulf Islands and, on clear days, all the way to Mount Baker.
Amazing views from the summit
Beautiful coastal rainforest on the east side of the park
A Name Worth Knowing
In 2022, the park’s name was officially restored to PKOLS (pronounced p’kohls), meaning “White Rock” in the SENĆOŦEN language of the WSÁNEĆ people. It’s a sacred site that has long served as a meeting place for Coast Salish communities You’ll still hear locals call it “Mount Doug” in casual conversation, but using PKOLS honors the history that predates the park’s colonial naming.
PKOLS sign at the summit parking area
The Hike
The mountain rises to about 213 meters, and you have a few options of how to reach the summit.
If you want to earn the view: Park at the bottom and take the trails through the forest. The main route up is roughly a 4 km round trip with about 205 meters of elevation gain. Most hikers make it to the top in 25 to 30 minutes at a steady pace. The trails wind through thick coastal forest, with ferns and moss-covered rocks, then climbs up through Garry Oak meadows that burst with wildflowers in spring. Some sections can get very steep and slippery near the summit, so wear proper hiking shoes.
Steep, rocky section of trail leading from Blenkinsop Rd
Section of trail leading from Blenkinsop Rd
Trail sign along the way to the summit
Climbing through Garry oak forest on the Harrop Trail
A section of the Harrop Trail
If you’re short on time or mobility: There is a paved road that goes up to the parking area near the summit and while there are some great views from here, the actual summit lookout is only accessable by a path that does have some stairs. The paved road, Churchill Drive, leading to the summit is closed to motorized vehicles (this includes motorcycles but excludes those using mobility devices – e.g., mobility scooters, wheelchairs) until 12 p.m. noon seven days a week to promote a more active, enjoyable leisure experience for pedestrians and cyclists. The gate remains locked over holiday long weekends.
Trail from the parking lot to the summit lookout
One local tip: Hike up the trails, then walk down the road. Your knees will thank you, and you’ll still get the forest experience on the way up.
Where to Start: You can access the trails from the main parking lot at the junction of Cedar Hill Rd and Cordova Bay Rd, or you can also start on the western side of the park from a parking area on Blenkinsop Rd. Be warned, there are some pretty steep rocky sections on this trail.
What You’ll See at the Top
The summit opens into a broad, rocky area with a viewing platform. From here, the whole region spreads out below: Victoria’s downtown and harbour to the south, the Saanich Peninsula stretching north, the Gulf and San Juan Islands scattered across the water to the east, and Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains of Washington on the southern horizon.
Enjoying the great views from the summit!
Beyond the Summit
Many visitors never leave the mountain, but the park extends all the way down to the ocean. You can walk the trails across Cordova Bay Rd or take the trail leading from the main parking area to a sandy beach on Cordova Bay. Here you can trade the forest air for ocean breeze. It’s a quieter, lesser-known side of the park that’s worth seeking out if you have an extra hour.
Mount Douglas Beach
Douglas Creek flowing below the trails near the main parking lot
Spring is arguably the best season to visit PKOLS. The forest floor around erupts with shooting stars, fawn lilies, blue camas and more. If you’re hiking in April or May, keep an eye on the meadows.
Practical Details
Getting there: About a 20-minute drive from downtown Victoria. By bus, take route #28 from the Douglas and Johnston area—roughly 45 minutes. The main parking lot is at the junction of Cedar Hill Rd and Cordova Bay Rd.
Time needed: Most people spend an hour or two. The summit itself is a quick visit; the trails are where you linger.
Dogs: This is a popular spot for dog walkers, so expect company on the trails. Keep your pup close on the busier paths
What to bring: Water, a camera, and layers—the summit can be breezy even when the city below is warm. Good shoes are non-negotiable if you’re taking the trails.
Washrooms: There are public washrooms located at the main parking area off Cordova Bay Rd
Playgound: There is a playground located at the main parking area
Map
Click here for Mt Dougas Park Map
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