emailMount Work Regional Park
Mount Work is one of the largest regional parks, and is the dominant hill on the horizon from many vantage points in Saanich, Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula. This popular recreation spot offers a variety of landscapes and activities.
Park Features
- Three freshwater lakes - Durrance, Fork and Pease - for swimming, canoeing and fishing (Durrance Lake is stocked with catchable Rainbow Trout)
- 11 km of trails through forest to the summit (449m) of Mount Work
- Mount Work - Hartland, a separate area of multi-use trails open to mountain biking
- Accessible loop trail at Munn Road entrance
Trail Rating: Moderate to Challenging
Size: 696.86 hectares
Location: Ross - Durrance Road and Munn Road in the Highlands; Hartland Avenue in Saanich
Established: 1970
Hours: sunrise to sunset
)Things to Do
Summit Trail
Visitors can hike to the mountain summit on a sometimes challenging trail that runs north and south, spanning the park's entire length. The trails to the summit lead through natural glacial rock formations. Conditions in the park vary with the weather, and you're fully exposed to the elements during the ascent, so plan accordingly. Please stay on the main trails, as the mossy groundcover is sensitive to damage from trampling.
Durrance Lake
Of the lakes within Mount Work Regional Park, Durrance Lake is the most accessible, and a favourite among families and picnickers. The water is cool and fresh for swimming. Nestled in a valley carved between the shadow of Mount Work and the neighbouring Partridge Hills, the lake is ringed with forested slopes.
A well-groomed path gives way to a narrow twisting hiking trail that circles the lake. Submerged logs and dead trees on the boggy south side of the lake provide important breeding habitat and a foraging area for a number of wildlife species. Durrance Lake is also a popular fly-fishing spot with a population of smallmouth bass and cutthroat trout.
Mount Work-Hartland
Multi-use trails open to mountain biking lie on the east slope of Mount Work, separate from the main park. These trails cover a range of terrain, from moderate, rolling hills to the most difficult grade for advanced mountain bikers. Use extreme caution, and be prepared for hazards or difficult sections on any trail.
For more information on the Mount Work-Hartland mountain biking trails, contact CRD Parks' volunteer partner, the South Island Mountain Bike Society, at:
Accessible trail and dock at Durrance Lake
A trail and fishing dock at Durrance Lake is accessible for youth, seniors and anglers with disabilities. The dock construction, made possible under the Province's Urban Lakes Infrastructure Project, also includes aluminum walkways and railings for increased safety.
Durrance Lake is stocked with rainbow trout annually by:
Accessible Loop Trail
Visitors can enjoy an accessible 630-metre loop trail in the midst of a medley of evergreens and rich understory of native shrubs, ferns, mosses and woodland flowers at the Munn Road entrance to Mount Work. Travel clockwise from the main trail head.
How to Get to Mount Work
Main Entrance
Follow the Pat Bay Highway from Victoria, and take the West Saanich Road exit. From West Saanich Road, turn left on Wallace Drive, and left again on Willis Point Road. Turn left on Ross-Durrance Road, which leads to the park entrance on the left. Allow approximately 40 minutes driving time from Victoria.
Durrance Lake Entrance
Follow the directions above to Willis Point Road. Turn right on Durrance Close, which leads to the park entrance.
Hartland Entrance
Follow the directions above to West Saanich Road. Turn left on Hartland Avenue, which leads to the park entrance on the right.
Munn Road Entrance
Follow the Trans-Canada Highway from Victoria, and take the #14 exit to Highlands. Keep right at the fork. Turn right at Millstream Lake Road and slight right at Munn Road.
Public Transportation
There is bus service to the Hartland Entrance only. Take BC Transit bus #83 from the Royal Oak Exchange to West Saanich Road at Hartland Road. Contact BC Transit for schedule information.
