Galloping Goose Trail RatingThe Galloping Goose Regional Trail developed from a disused railway line begins at the Johnson Street bridge in downtown Victoria and goes in two directions.  One direction goes to the Vancouver ferry terminal at Swartz Bay, 35km away.  And the other 55km through the Western Communities, out past Sooke ending near the ghost town, Leechtown.

The downtown portions of the trail are paved, however, past that  the trail is packed down gravel and hard dirt trail.  There are convenient kilometre markers all along the trail emanating from the Johnson Street starting point.  As popular for joggers as it is for walkers, hikers and cyclists, from downtown Victoria the Galloping Goose Trail is immediately impressive.  The Selkirk Trestle, a ridiculously extravagant and long bridge spans the ocean inlet that branches off from the Inner Harbour.  This beautiful, 300 metre long and several metres wide bridge is almost entirely constructed of wood.  Large fir and hemlock beams that are perfectly suited to the start of a trail rich in history and in a city that is almost always beautiful.  It doesn't matter if it is a gorgeous sunny day or a dreary and rainy day.  Crossing the Selkirk Trestle in any weather is pretty, and that is just the first 5 minutes of the marvellous Galloping Goose Trail.  A hugely popular bike trail, the Galloping Goose gets its name from the train that used to run between Victoria and Sooke, a century ago.  The train tracks are long gone, but the route remains.

Galloping Goose Regional Trail

Now the Galloping Goose is part of the enormous Trans Canada Trail.  The 15000 kilometre, multi-use trail stretches from coast to coast.  There are endless variations to hiking, biking, walking and running the Galloping Goose Trail.  There are dozens of good access points and many of them have dedicated free parking lots(see the maps for parking).  Heading out from downtown Victoria you pass by several of Victoria's best hikes and hiking attractions.  Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Park is just a short detour from the Galloping Goose Trail and well worth it.  On a bike, the detour to Fort Rodd Hill is just 10 minutes.

Fort Rodd Hill Fisguard Lighthouse

Fort Rodd Hill Fisguard Lighthouse

Fort Rodd Hill

Explore the Galloping Goose at HikeInVictoria.com

Hike in Victoria

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West Coast Trail Guide 2023 2

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