emailGalloping Goose Regional Trail
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. “The Goose” intersects with the Lochside Regional Trail, a 29 kilometre former railway line from Saanich to Sidney.
Trail Rating: Accessible (paved sections) to Easy
Length: 55km
Location: Sooke, Metchosin, Colwood, Langford, View Royal, Saanich, Victoria
Established: 1987
Hours: 24/7
- Galloping Goose and Lochside Regional Trails brochure (PDF
) - The Green Goes On Forever sustainable tourism brochure (PDF )
- Français (PDF )
- Français (PDF
- Regional Trails System
Take the Regional Trails Survey and Enter to Win!
CRD Regional Park is conducting a survey about our regional trails this summer to gather information on trail use, experiences and management. The survey will help us prepare a trail management plan for the Galloping Goose, Lochside and E&N Rail Trail – Humpback Connector. The information we gather will provide insight into the public’s views on the management and development of these trails.
Those who complete the survey may enter to win a draw prize—a $100 gift certificate at a local restaurant of your choice. Click the link below to complete the survey. Park attendants will also have surveys available at several locations along the three trails beginning in late June. The survey ends August 9, 2013. A summary report will be available on-line after results have been compiled.
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 Hill 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 Land Conservancy of BC tent and RV campground adjacent to Sooke Potholes Regional Park from May to September. Cyclists pay by donation at the campground.
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).
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 to the Galloping Goose Regional Trail.
Parking Lots
- Directions to Atkins Road parking lot
- Directions to Aldeane Avenue parking lot
- Directions to Page Avenue parking lot
- Directions to Marwood Avenue parking lot (Luxton Fairgrounds)
- Directions to Rocky Point Road parking lot
- Directions to Roche Cove parking lot
- Directions to Ludlow Road parking lot
- Directions to Sooke River Road parking lot
- Directions to Sooke Potholes parking lot
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.
