Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Forlong-distancehikers,VancouverIslandbeckonsforonereason—theruggedandre-
mote
West Coast Trail.
This multi-night trek (most folks spend 6-8 days on the trail) re-
quiresadvanceplanningtoorganizepermitsandtransportation.Mostimportant,itrequires
a high level of backcountry experience (you'll need to carry your own food and camping
equipment).
While Victoria is busy year-round, the travel seasons on the rest of Vancouver Island
are more defined. July and August are very busy, especially along east coast resort towns
and around Tofino. Travel in May, June, or September and you'll miss the crowds while
savingmoneyonaccommodations.Wintersarerelativelymild,andalthoughyouwouldn't
want to plan a kayaking trip through the Southern Gulf Islands in winter, this is an ex-
cellent time of year to head to Pacific Rim National Park to watch storms batter the west
coast.
Two highways lead out of Victoria: Highway 14 heads west and Highway 1 heads north.
Highway 14 begins at Sooke, on the outskirts of Victoria, and runs a spectacular coastal
routeendinginPortRenfrew,104kilometers(65miles)fromthecapital.Alongthisocean-
hugging stretch of road are provincial parks, delightful oceanfront lodgings, and a pan-
orama that extends across Juan de Fuca Strait to the snowcapped peaks of the Olympic
Mountains in Washington State. Meanwhile, Highway 1 leads north from Victoria to the
townsofDuncan,Chemainus,andLadysmith,eachwithitsownparticular charm.Westof
Duncan is massive Cowichan Lake, an inland paradise for anglers and boaters, and Car-
manahWalbranProvincialPark,protectingaremotewatershedfullofancientSitkaspruce
that miraculously escaped logging.
About 34 kilometers (21 miles) from Victoria, Sooke (with a silent “e”) is a forestry, fish-
ing, and farming center serving a surrounding population of 12,000. The town is best
known for a lodge that combines luxurious accommodations with one of Canada's most
renowned restaurants, but a
couple
other diversions are worth investigating as well.
The town spreads for many miles along the shore of Canada's southernmost harbor.
Thesafehavenforboatsiscreatedby
Whiffen Spit,
anaturallyoccurringsandbarthatex-
