If you ask me what I love most about Victoria, the trails are somewhere near the top of the list. After a decade of biking and hiking around this city, I still find new favourite spots. The best part for budget travellers? Most of this costs you nothing but a bit of energy.
The Galloping Goose Regional Trail
This is the big one. The Galloping Goose is a multi-use paved and packed-gravel trail that runs about 55 km from the edge of downtown Victoria all the way out through Langford, Colwood and beyond to Leechtown. You don't need to do the whole thing — most guests just ride or walk the inner section toward Saanich or Colwood, which is flat, easy and genuinely beautiful.
Why it's great for hostel guests
- The trail picks up practically from downtown, so no bus required to reach the start
- It's paved near the city end, so you can do it on any rental bike (more on rentals below)
- Free to use, any time, year-round
- The stretch through the Galloping Goose trestle bridges is a highlight — you'll want photos
Tips
- Grab a trail map at the Capital Regional District (CRD) website before you head out
- The trail links up with the Lochside (see below), so you can make a loop on a longer ride
- Morning is quieter; weekends get busy near the city end
The Lochside Regional Trail
The Lochside Trail is the Galloping Goose's quieter sibling — a 29 km route that runs up the Saanich Peninsula toward Sidney and the BC Ferries terminal at Swartz Bay. If you're heading to the ferry, this is honestly one of the best ways to do it: you ride through farmland, past herons and sheep, and roll straight toward the water.
Why it's great for hostel guests
- Flat and easy — mostly paved or packed gravel
- A practical route if you're catching the BC Ferries to the mainland (check bcferries.com for foot passenger info)
- Links with the Galloping Goose near Swan Lake, so you can connect the two trails for a proper day out
- Free, well-signed, family-friendly
Tips
- Allow a comfortable 2–3 hours to ride from downtown to Sidney
- Sidney village at the north end is a lovely little town — good spot to stop before a ferry
- Check the CRD Lochside trail page for current conditions
Mount Douglas (Mount Doug)
If you want to earn a view, Mount Doug is your hill. It's a proper forested park in Saanich with multiple trail loops and a summit that rewards you with a 360° panorama of the city, the Gulf Islands and — on a clear day — the Washington Cascades across the water.
The trails
- Summit Trail: The main route up. Expect some rocky scrambling near the top. Takes about 45 minutes to an hour return from the main trailhead
- Iroquois Trail / Norn Trail loop: A gentler forested loop at lower elevation, great if you want trees and birdsong without the climb
- Dogs are welcome on leash
Getting there without a car
- BC Transit gets you close — check bctransit.com for routes toward Shelbourne or Cedar Hill; the front desk can help you figure out the best bus combo
- It's a comfortable bike ride out on the Lochside or through the Saanich neighbourhood streets — budget about 30–40 minutes from downtown
Tips
- Go early on summer weekends — it gets busy and parking (if you have a car) fills up
- Bring water; there's nothing on the mountain
- Sunrise from the summit is *something else* if you're willing to set an early alarm
Dallas Road Coastal Walk
This one is my personal everyday favourite. Dallas Road runs along Victoria's southern waterfront from Beacon Hill Park west toward Ogden Point and beyond — and the walk along the cliff edge is free, flat, wind-in-your-face brilliant.
What you'll find
- Beacon Hill Park: A 200-acre park with peacocks wandering around like they own the place (they kind of do). Start here and walk south toward the water
- The paved path and walking trail along the cliff tops with views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca toward the Olympic Mountains in Washington State
- Ogden Point Breakwater: Walk the long concrete breakwater out into the harbour — popular spot for a sunset stroll
- The whole stretch is bikeable too if you prefer wheels
Tips
- It's an easy 20-minute walk from Ocean Island — this is genuinely your backyard as a guest here
- The wind off the strait can be serious even in summer, so bring a layer
- Whale sightings from the cliff top happen more than you'd think — keep your eyes on the water
- In summer, Fisherman's Wharf is a short walk or bike ride west from Ogden Point — grab something to eat from one of the floating food shacks and watch the harbour seals beg for scraps
Renting a Bike
You don't need to own a bike to ride any of these trails. There are bike rental shops within easy reach of Ocean Island — the front desk can point you to the nearest and most affordable option. A few things to know:
- Ask at the front desk: They know which rental spots have the best deals for hostel guests and which ones are currently open
- Helmets are legally required in BC and are usually included with rentals — confirm when you book
- For the Galloping Goose and Lochside, a standard hybrid or comfort bike is all you need
- For Mount Doug, a bike with gears will make your life easier (an e-bike even more so)
- Lock your bike whenever you leave it unattended — rental shops provide locks
Getting Around on Transit
No bike? No problem. BC Transit runs routes that get you reasonably close to most of these spots. Day passes are great value if you're doing a lot of exploring in one day. Check bctransit.com for routes and — because fares change — ask at the front desk or the website for current pricing before you board.
Quick Reference
| Trail / Spot | Distance | Difficulty | Cost | |---|---|---|---| | Galloping Goose (inner section) | 10–20 km each way | Easy | Free | | Lochside Trail | 29 km full length | Easy | Free | | Mount Doug Summit Trail | ~3 km return | Moderate | Free | | Dallas Road Coastal Walk | 2–5 km depending on route | Easy | Free |
One Last Thing
Victoria's outdoor scene is genuinely one of its best-kept budget secrets. You can spend a full week here without spending much beyond food and a bed — the trails, parks and coastline are all yours for free.
If you're not sure where to start, what bus to catch, or where to hire a bike nearby, swing by the Ocean Island front desk — we're happy to help you plan a day on the trails and make sure you don't miss anything good.
