B.C.

Day Guide to Biking the Lochside Trail on Vancouver Island

Local history, fresh food and nature can all be enjoyed while biking Vancouver Island's Lochside Trail

By Kirsty Chan /

Credit: Flickr / Alastair Smith

Heading to the island with your bicycle in tow? Hit up the Lochside Trail

With the weather warming up, it’s the perfect time for a daytrip to Vancouver Island to tackle the Lochside Trail. The 33-km bike trail is part of the larger Galloping Goose Trail, but the Lochside Trail portion runs from Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal into downtown Victoria with no shortage of places to stop and scenery to see along the way. 



Credit: Flickr / Theresa

Sidney

The first stop on your adventure should be in the small town of Sidney-by-the-Sea. For a bit of Vancouver Island history, explore the Sidney Museum or browse the abundance of bookstores in town. You can also visit the waterfront Tulista Park, where the ferries to Washington depart from. Bike along Lochside Waterfront Park and take a break at one of the picnic tables to enjoy the view.



Credit: Flickr / Vik Approved

Heritage Acres

Run by the Saanich Historical Artifacts Society, Heritage Acres is a great place to discover preserved items from around the area. You can see retired vehicles, from old cars to farming equipment, as well as buildings, such as the Saanichton Schoolhouse. If you want to rest your legs after all that biking you can even take a ride on their scale model train. Let’s be honest – who doesn’t want to ride a cale model train?



Credit: Facebook / Michell Bros. Farm

Michell Bros. Farm

You won’t have to pedal far before reaching your next stop. Michell Bros. Farm is impossible to miss from the trail. Stop and snack on some fresh fruits and vegetables or maybe just for a quick sip of a cool drink before you continue your ride. You can sit at the picnic tables out in front to enjoy your purchases with a view of the surrounding farms.



Credit: Facebook / Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary 

Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary

The trail just skirts the edge of Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, but this beautiful park is worth the detour. Besides the tranquility of the sanctuary, it’s host to a variety of wildlife. To help out with identification, you can find a list of birds that are commonly sighted on their website.



Credit: Flickr / urban_lenny

Downtown Victoria

Downtown Victoria is the finish line of the Lochside Trail. After biking 33km, trust us, you’ll have earned the rest. Relax in one of Victoria’s many cafes, take a nap on the lawn of the Legislature Building or simply people watch at Inner Harbour. Just don’t get too comfortable – there’s still the ride back.