Hiking
Salt Spring offers family-friendly hiking
View from Mount Maxwell,
over looking the Fulford Valley.
Be it wandering along the seaside, rambling through a Garry oak meadow or climbing up an island mountaintop, there’s nothing like a hike to complete the Salt Spring experience.
The island may lack the high alpine peaks found in other parts of the province, but a wide range of wildlife, plants and geological features ensures there are no shortage of wonders to please everyone walking by.
In the Hills
• Hikers with a flair for the mythic cannot afford to miss out on the one-hour hike up Mount Erskine starting from one of two trailheads along Collins Road. Be on the look-out for a few pint-sized fairy doors along the way up, then take in the views of the Coast Mountains, Vancouver Island and Northern Gulf Islands. A 2005 funding drive raised $650,000 to purchase the property and save the peak (and the fairies) from development.
• It may not be the island’s highest peak but, at 602 metres (1,975 feet), Mount Maxwell is big enough to reward hikers with some of the best views of the Fulford Valley and Burgoyne Bay. There are a number of ways up, including a moderate trail beginning at the end of Seymour Heights and a steeper option at the end of Armand Way. The round trip takes about three hours — much more if you pack a lunch and stop off at one of the many secluded picnic spots along the way.
By the Sea
• Depending on the time of year, keen-eyed hikers walking along the shoreline may be able to glimpse sea otters, killer whales and an abundance of starfish, oysters and other inter-tidal creatures. Low tide leaves more to explore, so check out the tide table in the weekly Driftwood newspaper before heading to any of the island’s classic seaside walks in Ruckle Park, at Hudson Point, Fernwood Dock, Baker Beach or Baders Beach.
• Try this trek at the island’s most northern tip: From Southey Point Road, a half-hour walk takes hikers down to a beach with views across the water to Galiano Island. Walking on the beach and around a rocky headland eventually leads to a working farm featuring seasonal produce. To complete the loop, follow the driveway and turn right on North End Road.
In the Woods
• If you find yourself in the Vesuvius area, a short walk along Duck Creek offers a great chance to spot deer or eagles or, in the fall, even salmon heading upstream. The park features a large open meadow, ideal for dogs needing to get out and stretch their legs.
• Within walking distance of Ganges is Mouat Park, where large trees and a calming brook offer some reprieve after a morning spent stocking up on picnic supplies in town or at the Saturday market. The park is located just behind ArtSpring theatre and accessible at the end of Seaview or McPhillips avenues.
• For people wanting to mix a little history into their ramblings, a jaunt through Ruckle Park is just the thing. Situated on one of the island’s original farmsteads, the park features numerous historical buildings and interpretative displays scattered among some great Gulf Islands scenery. In the summer, nature programs hosted by park staff offer hikers a chance to learn about the island’s ecology.
For more information on other Salt Spring hikes, detailed maps and guides are available at the Visitor Information Centre and in island bookstores.