Welcome to our web site for the Galloping
Goose Regional Trail.
On the Goose, you can you can
cycle, walk, run, jog, in-line skate,
wheelchair, push a stroller, walk your
dog, ride a horse our use it to commute to work. The trail follows what used to be a 55 kilometre
railway line and is now a designated regional trail cared for and operated by the Capital Regional District (CRD). Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the Goose.
The trailed is named after an old passenger car that used to run on the rails during the 1920's between Victoria and Cowichan Lake. It was called the Galloping Goose because it would bounce along the rails. A contest was held by The Times Colonist Newspaper and CFAX radio station and a few people suggested this name. The fun name was adopted. Now you can have fun on the Goose.
The trail is connected to a second trail that runs north through Saanich to Sidney by the Sea and then to the BC Ferry Terminal at Swartz Bay.
There are a number of side trails and special things to do, so be sure to get yourself a map of the trail so you can take the best advantage of what it has to offer.
The trail starts out as a paved trail in Victoria and then changes to dirt and gravel out West. If you are cycling, a mountain bike is recommended. Since the trail follows an old railway line the grade is gradual throughout.
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The Gallopsing Goose Trail starts in downtown Victoria just after you cross the Johnson Street Draw Bridge. The current Via Rail Train Station is on the East side of the bridge and the Goose stars on the West Side of the Bridge in Vic West. The Blue Draw Bridge is a site on its own. It was designed by the same man who designed the famed Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It is a fitting start to a dramatic and exciting trail. The trail heads north and in a short distance you cross the picturesque Selkirk Trestle. From the trestle you will observe the activity in the Gorge Waterway. Kayaks from a local club practice, recreational boats move back and forth, commercial craft head out to sea and cause the draw bridge to rise, and the harbour ferries travel their routes. After you cross the trestle you will immediately enter the beautiful Cecillia Ravine.
Next, you pass through a light industrial area where you need to pay attention as you cross a number of streets. Watch for the signs, and for motorists not paying attention, and take your time. After the light industrial area you cross over Highway 1 and come to a junction.(Approximately 5 km from mile 0 at the Johnson Street Bridge). To stay on the Galloping Goose, you must turn left (West) at the Junction. If you go right, you are on the Lochside Regional Trail trail that takes you north to the BC Ferry Terminal at Swartz Bay. This is another ride for another day. The Lochside Trail is approximately 30 km long and goes through Saanich, Central Saanich, Sidney and North Saanich on the Saanich Peninsula. |
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The trail follows the highway and has a couple of major intersections that you will have to cross with the signal lights. After you pass McKenzie Avenue, you will see the Portage Inlet off to your left (Approximately 7.5 km out). It is quite spectacular and the end of the Gorge Waterway from the Inner harbour. You are looking a salt water. The trail continues West and passes the Victoria General Hopital at Helmken Road. You might want to get a check up in Emergency, you still have a long way to go. |
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| After the hospital, you will come to the Atkins Road rest stop (approx. 10 km out). There are bathrooms here, so use 'em or loose 'em. You will notice just before the rest stop that you pass under Highway number one and the Via Rail tracks as well. The Goose travels along Atkins Road for a bit and the Via Rail travels along the other side of Atkins Road. The trail turns to gravel just after the washrooms at Atkins Road. Not long after the washrooms, you will pass through a beautiful rock cut seen to the right. High rock cliffs surround you as you pass through the cut. After you pass through this cut, you will come to a bridge that goes over Six Mile Road. If you want to take a break on a warm summer day and go for a swim a Thetis Lake, you will need to turn right here and travel a short distance to Thetis Lake. There is a sign just before the bridge. |
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| The Goose then passes through View Royal and parallels Highway 1A through View Royal and Colwood. The Casino is along this road as are a number of places to eat. Most of the fast food restaurants are along this road. I like the CrossRoads pub at Colwood Corners (Goldstream Road and Highway 1A). If you are into side trips, Esquimalt Lagoon can be viewed by travelling down Ocean Blvd. or going in to Royal Roads University. The University has some great gardens to enjoy and of course Hatley Castle, home to many movies including the XMen with Patrick Stewart. During this portion of the Goose you have to cross Highway 1A twice. It is best to dismount to do this. |
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Hatley Castle at Royal Roads University above |
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Fisgard Light Station at Esquimalt Lagoon |
Esquimalt Lagoon from Fort Rodd Hill |
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| The Goose then moves into Langford. The trail passes by the West Shore town centre. There are lots of services there and many places to eat. It is just across Kelly Road from the Goose. The next eventful stop is at Glen Lake which is just after you cross Jacklin Road. Just as you are leaving Glen Lake you will notice the Cycle Inn B&B. It is one of just a few bed and breakfasts that are right on the Goose and the setting for this one is spectacular. Just past the B&B you will come to Sooke Road. It is a good idea to back track a few yards to the cross-walk so you can safely cross this busy road. Between km 18 and 19, you will find the Luxton Fairgrounds, home to the spring Luxton Rodeo. It is also the site of the Luxton Saturday Farmers Market. You can access the market on Saturdays from the Goose. The Goose then follows Happy Valley Road towards Juan de Fuca Strait before it heads West to the Matheson Lake section. This is a beautiful forested section of the trail. |
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A bridge along the trail |
Luxton Fairgrounds between 18-19 km |
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Metchosin Market |
Trail km 19-22 |
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Horses at farm along the trail |
Road crossing near Happy Valley Road |
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Beautiful Trees |
Moss Covered Rocks |
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Beautiful Farm Setting in Rural Area 18-14 km |
A heritage rest stop |
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| The section of the trail through Langford and Metchosin (km 18 to 24) is very rural, passing through a lot of farmland. It also passes a number of new housing developments along Happy Valley Road. It is a beautiful part of the trail as demonstrated by the pictures above. Much of it is rural and it is surounded by trees and rocks. There are a few road crossings but only the two across Happy Valley Road are busy. When you get to Bennett Road, if you turn left and travel a short distance down the hill there is a beautiful waterfall on the left side of the road. The next section between km 25 and 30 heads west and gets close to Juan de Fuca Strait as it paralells William Head Road in Metchosin. |
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Waterfall at Bennett Road |
| The next section, km 30 - 35 passes close to Matheson Lake. This is another place where you can stop off for a swim on a hot summer day. It is a popular place for locals to go and swim. This is also a beautiful part of the trail. |
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The trail to Matheson Lake from Metchosin |
| On occassion there are a few steep hills. The section near Anderson Cove on Sooke Basin has a couple of steep hills where caution should be taken. The picture to the right is one of the trestles accross a ravine at the bottom of one of the hills. There are washrooms in the parking lot at Roche Cove near the 35 km mark on the trail. |
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A trestle over a ravine |
| The trail from 35 km to 40 km passes around Sooke Basin and is near Roche Cove and Anderson Cove. When you cross Gillespie Road and go up a steep hill, there is a place where you can go down to the water and access beautiful views of the Sooke Basin. This is just after the Roche Cove parking lot. This is a very beautiful section of the Road because of the ocean views of Sooke Basin. When you get to Coopers Cove, there is a restuarant there that is right on the ocean. Coopers Cove is along the side of Highway 14 to Sooke. Near Coopers Cove you will have to cross the Highway to access the last part of the Galloping Goose. |
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Sooke Basin along the trail |
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Enjoying lunch on the sundeck by the ocean |
Coopers Cove |
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| The last 15 km of the trail takes you to the Sooke Potholes Provincial Park. Along this section of the trail you pass over two impressive trestles, Todd and Charters. The Sooke Potholes is a favourite place for locals to go swimming on hot summer days. There is a safe pool at the lower end of the park near the parking lot (shown to the right). Teens and more spirited adults travel up the hill and then down to the potholes to swim. Care needs to be taken when in this area as the current is often strong and diving from the rocks can be dangerous. Take care and have fun. |
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These deep pools can be seen from the parking lot at the top of the hill. It is a hike down to them and care needs to be taken in this area. This area is what is referred to as the Potholes for obvious reasons. Further up the Sooke River towards the end of the trail at Leechtown are other places where you can swim in the river as well. Some of them, you may have the river to yourself. The exploreres will find these more secluded locations. If you go to the end of the trail at Leechtown and expect to see an old ghost town, you will be disappointed. There is not much there to see, but it is for now, the end of the Galloping Goose.
There are many side trips other than those suggested. Refer to the map provided by the regional government. Be sure to print off the map and take a copy with you.
BC Transit also have racks on the front of their buses for bicycles, so you can take your bike to points along the trail by bus and then do part of the trail and ride back. Once at the end of the trail in Sooke, if you make your way back to the highway, you can take the bus all the way back into down town. Check BC Transit web site for routes and possibilities.
If you have a car and bike rack, you can do portions of the trail at your leisure by driving to one of the parking lots and then doing just a part of the trail.
For more information on the trail contact CRD Regional Parks at 250-478-3344. |
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Accommodation along the Goose:
When you travel the Goose, you may wish to stay somewhere in the Western part of greater Victoria. Below are a number of accommodations that you could stay in. |
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Skookum Bed & Breakfast, 2085 Harbour View Road, Sooke,
phone 250 642 4825, toll free: 1-877-756-6586 or
E-mail:stay@sookebedbreakfast.com
West coast home, near ocean, on three acres, 30 minutes from Victoria.
Private upper level suite with king, twin and double beds, sitting
room and bath. Full breakfast included. Sleeps 6. On Galloping Goose
Trail. $160.00 - $195.00 |
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Anderson
Cove House International: 1-250-642-6888, Toll Free Phone: 1-877-642-6810, E-mail: info@andersoncovehouse.com
Spacious, luxurious, and completely private waterfront home, with 4 bedrooms
and 4 bathrooms. Expansive lawns are perfect for family games, or
just lying around and watching deer, eagles, and other wild life
in their natural habitat. Sooke Basin is great for kayaking and canoeing.
Enjoy nearby East Sooke Park on Juan de Fuca Strait for hiking. About 35 minutes from Victoria and 15 minutes from Sooke.
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Welsford's
Harbourview Bed and Breakfast - 6460 Sooke Road,
Sooke, Tel: 1 250 642 6403 Fax: 1 250 642 6843, Toll Free 1-866-642-6403
or Email . Rates: $65 & $75
Welcome to our
comfortable home overlooking spectacular Sooke Harbour. We are within
walking distance of the village center, 10 minutes from the Galloping
Goose Linear Park, and an easy drive to Juan de Fuca and Westcoast hiking
trails. Living room with fireplace, TV, VCR, laundry facilities, BBQ.
We offer a full breakfast. Reasonable rates. |
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Cape
Cod Bed and Breakfast, 5782 Anderson
Cove Road, Sooke, phone/fax:250-642-3253,
toll free phone: 1-250-(888) 814 7773,
E-mail: capecodbb@shaw.ca
Cape Cod style home nestled in two wooded acres in East Sooke
with lovely ocean views of Sooke Basin and the Sooke Hills. Enjoy
world-class hiking, biking, salmon fishing, whale watching, kayaking
and many other outdoor activities only 45 minutes away from Victoria.
Relax in the romantic comfort of your private suite and admire
the spectacular sunsets from the deck. Nous parlons français!
Wir sprechen deutsch! |
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Hartmann
House, 5262 Sooke Road, Sooke, phone: 250-642-3761, fax: 250-642-7561, E-mail: , High Season Rate Range: $195-225.00
Hartmann House. Discover the luxury and romance of this tranquil retreat.
An artisans cottage surrounded by beautiful gardens, gourmet breakfasts,
ocean views, well appointed character suites. Featured in Best Places
to Kiss, Better Homes & Gardens 2 Sooke Road, Sooke, phone: 250-642-3761, fax: 250-642-7561 |
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Eagles Rest on Metchosin Road in Colwood
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| A B&B at Swallow Hill Farm located just of Will Head Road in Metchosin and close to the Galloping Goose |
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| Race View B&B located just off Happy Valley Road in Metchosin |
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| Birds of a Feather B&B located on the edge of Esquimalt Lagoon in Colwood |
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| The Consulate B&B on Goldstream Ave. in Langford, just a short ride to the Gallopsing Goose |
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| The Millstream Llama Farm B&B located on Atkins Road in Langford, just a short hop to the Goose. |
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| Night Skies Oceanfront B&B located on Esquimalt Lagoon in Colwood |
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| Royal Roads Oceanfront B&B located on beautiful Esquimalt Lagoon in Colwood |
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| Lilypad Studio & B&B on William Head Road in Metchosin, close to the Goose |
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| Goose Trail B&B |
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