Beautiful beaches and miles of hiking, biking, and leisurely walking trails are within a short distance from the Sooke River Campground. You can click on the links provided in the post for more info.

Popular trails:

  • Galloping Goose Trail – Once an old railway, the Galloping Goose Trial is a favourite biking and walking path among both locals and visitors. This scenic trail connects you from Victoria to Sooke — a 55km journey.
  • Sooke Potholes -Further up along the Sooke River, you’ll find Sooke Potholes Regional Park. This is a must-see while in Sooke. The “potholes” are deep pools created in the river rock, offering the perfect place to take a dip on a hot day. Try out the Maryvine Creek trail – it will take you to Maryvine Falls, on to Peden Lake, and if you’re into a longer, more difficult hike, you can climb to Mount Empress where you’ll enjoy a 360 degree view.
  • Discover over 50km of breathtaking trails in the West Coast wilderness. The East Sooke Regional Park offers breathtaking tide pools, pristine pocket beaches, and stunning views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Keep an eye out for seal, sea lions, and whales!

Beaches:

From Victoria to Port Renfrew, you can access a multitude of sandy and pebble beaches, some with hidden waterfalls. This is not an exhaustive list, just the most commonly visited areas.

  • Whiffin Spit Beach – Only a few minutes down the road, you’ll find Whiffin Spit’s natural breakwater with walking trail that overlooks Sooke Harbour.
  • Gordon’s Beach – Further down West Coast Road, Gordon’s Beach offers the perfect place to watch the sunset.
  • French Beach – A sandy and pebble beach, French Beach Provincial Park also hosts a picnic/day-use area for you to enjoy.
  • China Beach – Only 15-minutes from French Beach, you’ll discover China Beach’s breathtaking shorelines and forested trail.
  • Mystic Beach – For the most iconic West Coast photo, you’ll love Mystic Beach. After a 2km hike in along the beginning of the Juan de Fuca Trail, you’ll find a small waterfall on the sandy shores of Mystic.
  • Botanical Beach – You’ll want to make sure the tide is low when you visit this one – check the office door for tide tables. A relatively easy walk will take you through the forest to the sandstone shores. Check the pools for trapped sea creatures such as crabs and octopus. After your hike, enjoy a lunch at the pub.