East Sooke Regional Park
One of the best places to explore, close to Victoria, is without a doubt East Sooke Regional Park. It is like a taste of the Wild West Coast of Vancouver Island, close to civilization. The park is a 30 minutes drive from downtown Victoria, a short drive through beautiful Metchosin. Rocky Point Road will lead you to this beautiful park.
At the southern entrance, called Aylard Farm there is a big field, with old apple tree orchards and trails leading in all directions. It is a perfect place for a picnic or a stroll down to the ocean. Wildlife, like Otters, Eagles and Deer are easy to spot and some even claim to have seen the famous Kermode bear strolling around East Sooke Regional Park.
East Sooke Provincial Park is great for hiking, the Coast Trail loops around the park. The trail is 10km along a rugged, spectacular coastline, with views over the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Peninsula. You can access the Coast Trail via the park entrances at Aylard Farm, Anderson Cove or Pike Road. The Coast Trail is perfect for a warm up hike, before the summer season.
The park offers some of the best seascapes on the South part of Vancouver Island, perfect for photographers looking to capture the ocean in all its glory.
Story and Photography Snorri Gunnarsson
Related Links
Eastsooke.ca
East Sooke Regional Park
