This picturesque multi-use trail, formerly a railway line, moves through urban, rural and wilderness scenery on its 55-kilometre journey from Victoria to Sooke. You can cycle, stroll, run, or even ride a horse through the rural sections. Whether you're commuting to work, meandering on a weekend afternoon or pacing yourself from Sidney to Sooke, the trail is yours to enjoy and yours to protect.
The Galloping Goose was originally a freight railway line built during the First World War. It is part of The Trans Canada Trail, a national multi-use trail system linking trails from coast to coast to coast. “The Goose” intersects with the Lochside Regional Trail, a 29-kilometre former railway line from Saanich to Sidney. It also intersects with the E&N Rail Trail – Humpback Connector, a new 17km cycling and pedestrian trail being constructed largely within the E&N rail corridor that will link Victoria and the Western communities when complete.
Trail Rating: Accessible (paved sections) to Easy
Length: 55km
Location: Sooke, Metchosin, Colwood, Langford, View Royal, Saanich, Victoria
Established: 1987
Hours: 24/7
Things to Do
Come and experience the best of the capital region - from urban back streets to farmland and rugged wilderness, all within a day's travel of Victoria. Travel past a quiet cove, a hidden lake, rocky outcrops, marshland, canyon land, skunk cabbage swampland, tall Douglas-fir forest, Garry oak and arbutus forest, rural farmland and waterways.
Suggested Day Trips
From Victoria, follow the Galloping Goose Trail, then Six Mile Road, to Thetis Lake Regional Park (11km one way).
From Victoria, follow the Galloping Goose Trail, then Atkins Avenue, to Mill Hilll Regional Park (12km one way).
Park at the Luxton parking area at Marwood Ave., off Happy Valley Rd. Follow the Galloping Goose Trail, then Lombard Drive and William Head Road, to Devonian Regional Park (9km one way).
Park at the Galloping Goose parking lot on Rocky Point Road and follow the trail to Matheson Lake and Roche Cove Regional Parks (5km one way).
Park at Roche Cove Regional Park, and follow the Galloping Goose Trail to Sooke Potholes Regional Park (13km one way). You can also camp at the Spring Salmon Place (KWL-UCHUN) Campground within the park from May to September.
Suggested Cycle Weekend
From downtown Victoria, take the Galloping Goose Trail and overnight in the Sooke area. The next day, explore beyond Sooke or return after a detour to East Sooke Regional Park (40km one way).
Amenities
How to Get There
From Downtown Victoria
Start at the corner of Wharf Street and Pandora Avenue. Cross the Johnson Street bridge, then turn right on the paved path that connects to Harbour Road and the trail.
There are many access points and parking lots along the Galloping Goose Regional Trail.
Parking Lots
Public Transportation
BC Transit bus #61 from Victoria to Sooke stops at various locations along the route of the Trail. Contact BC Transit for schedule information.