Sooke Hills Regional Park surrounds and protects the Greater Victoria Water Supply Catchment area. The park features Mount Braden, which is 471 meters tall and one of the highest peaks in the Capital Regional District parks.
Public access to the Drinking Water Protection Zone and The Greater Victoria Water Supply Area is not permitted. Please respect the no public access areas within the park to help safeguard this vital resource.
Note: The Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail is challenging and is not an all ages and abilities route.
Trail Rating: Challenging - not suitable for all ages and abilities
Size: 4090 ha
Location: Langford and Juan de Fuca Electoral Area
Established: 2017
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
The Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail is part of both the Trans Canada Trail and the Vancouver Island Spine Trail. It is great for hiking and cycling, and some parts allow for horseback riding. It consists of two separate areas on either side of the Goldstream catchment. The northern section opened in 2017, and the southern section opened in late 2020.
The 13-kilometer unpaved trail offers a unique experience in nature, traveling through remote areas and wildlife habitats. It runs from Humpback Reservoir in Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park to the boundary with Cowichan Valley Regional District. The trail is Walking this trail lets you connect with nature and enjoy the beautiful landscapes, including open spaces and shady woodlands.
About 2.5 kilometers from the Humpback trailhead, there’s a viewing platform where you can see Waugh Creek Falls, which is especially impressive in winter and spring. From there, it’s another 0.5 kilometers to a suspension bridge over the Goldstream River.
Watch a time-lapse video of the suspension bridge construction
In the northern section, you’ll enjoy amazing views of mountains and Finlayson Arm, as well as Greater Victoria in the distance. The views make the climb worthwhile!
Horseback riding is allowed on the northern part of the trail, from the Cowichan Valley Regional District boundary for 4 kilometers south.
The trail has steep sections (up to 16%), narrow parts, and rocky, gravel surfaces. Make sure to hike and ride within your limits and choose sections that match your skill level. It’s a shared trail, so please be mindful of others and travel safely.
South Section
If you hike to the top of Mount Braden or climb Sugarloaf, you’ll see green hills in all directions. The park’s connectivity benefits wildlife and allows hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders to access other protected areas. From here, you can reach Sea to Sea Regional Park, Sooke Mountain Provincial Park, and Mount Wells Regional Park. With multiple summits and long trails, this location offers many opportunities for adventure.
To help preserve the park:
Amenities
There are three toilets, two parking lots, a viewing platform and suspension bridge.
How to Get There
By vehicle from Victoria to North Section
Follow the Trans-Canada Highway from Victoria, and turn left on West Shore Parkway. At the roundabout, continue straight to stay on Westshore Pkwy. Turn right onto Meridian Ave. Turn left onto Irwin Rd, stay left at Humpback Rd. Destination is on the right.
By vehicle from Victoria to South Section
Follow the Trans-Canada Highway from Victoria, and turn left on West Shore Parkway. At the roundabout, continue straight to stay on Westshore Pkwy. Turn right onto Juan De Fuca Hwy/Sooke Rd/BC-14 W. Destination is on the right.
By vehicle from Shawnigan Lake to north trail head
There is no CRD parking lot at the north trail head. A Cowichan Valley Regional District parking lot for the Cowichan Valley Trail is located on Sooke Lake Road in Shawnigan Lake. Follow the trail south for 9kms where it joins to the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail north trail head.
By bike or foot from Victoria to south trail head
Follow the Galloping Goose Regional Trail that begins at Harbour Road in Victoria for approximately 15 km. Follow the “Trans Canada Trail” signage in the City of Langford to Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park on Humpback Road. Two parking lots provide access to Sooke Hills Wilderness and Mount Wells Regional Parks.
By bike or foot from Shawnigan Lake to north trail head
Follow the Cowichan Valley Trail – Malahat Connector south from the Sooke Lake Road entrance for approximately 9km, where it joins Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail north trail head.