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A 33-mile, mostly soft surface rail trail that runs from downtown Victoria westward to Sooke and up into the foothills to a small mining town. The road crossings are all well-marked, at least out to Sooke. The trail is mostly flat, though there are a few small hills here and there. Great scenery, and some wildlife viewing opportunities. Most of the traffic on this trail is in the section nearest downtown Victoria, and it gets quieter the further south and west you head. Around Sooke Potholes it is almost deserted.
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Trail begins just west of downtown Victoria
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Location: British Columbia
City(s): Victoria, Esquimalt, Sooke, BC, Canada
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Length: 55 miles.
km
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Popularity: Popular
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Elevation: Flat, some gradual gain
Gain
500
Loss
200 |
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Facilities |
Trail Condition |
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Drinking Water:
No
Restrooms:
Yes
Benches:
Yes
Picnic Tables:
Yes
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Surface Type:
Mixed
Surface Quality:
6
Scenery:
8
Lighting:
1
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Ratings: 0 = none/ the worst
5 = average
10 = excellent
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Website: http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/galloping-goose/index.htm
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Maps:
Bikely trail map
E & N Trail Map
Gallopping Goose Bus Stops
Goose & Lochside Brochure Map
Goose and Lochside Trails map
Lochside Trail Brochure(p.7,8)
Maps for the Galloping Goose
Overall Map
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Connections:
1. Connects with the Lochside Trail just north of the Switchbridge.
2. Connects with numerous trails in Roche Cove and Matheson Lake regional parks. Most of these do not allow bicycles.
3. Is planned to connect with the E&N Rail Trail by 2012
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Directions: http://www.gallopinggoosetrail.com/map_galloping_goose_directions.html
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Photo Gallery
A bend in the trail
Trail turns back and forth from paved to dirt surface
Ready for a meal? How about the Railyards Café next to the trail?
The Selkirk Trestle bridges the Portage Inlet
Riding under Bay Street
Get ready to crank it when you hit this bridge
Go left on the Goose towards Sooke, or straight for Swartz Bay on the Lochside Trail
A local bike shop, conveniently located right next to the Galloping Goose
Tunnel under a road
Junction with the highway 1 bike route
This hill was originally cleft through for the railroad
Pedestrian bridge
Crossing the Old Island Highway is a bit tricky. Try the crosswalks nearby
Fall is in the air in this shot
The road names are well marked on almost every crossing
Road goes ever on
Disappearing pavement… again
Lots of trees here
Can't miss the signs
Nice view of the lake from the trail
Grafitti in the Old West? Say it ain't so!
A local rodeo ground
More trees, less people. Peaceful…
Still peaceful
Fall colors from October 2006
Reflection from Mathieson Lake
A rocky way
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign…
Trail bridge a few miles from Sooke
A view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca greets the weary trail rider
Can bearly see the trail under all these leaves
Kilometerpost 38
Trail crosses the Old Island Highway near Sooke
Bench with a view
More leaves
Forest fire danger
Old railroad trestle is now a bike bridge
Got rocks?
A glimpse of the Sooke Potholes. This shot does not do them justice
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