Gowlland Tod Provincial Park — Attraction in Central Saanich

🌲 Gowlland Tod Provincial Park – A Stunning Natural Escape with Breathtaking Viewpoints 🌲

Gowlland Tod Provincial Park is a true gem for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts! Located just outside Victoria, this park offers a beautiful escape into nature with its lush forests, stunning views of the Saanich Inlet, and well-maintained trails. It's perfect for anyone interested in BC's natural beauty.

The park features several spectacular viewpoints, each offering its unique perspective of the surrounding landscape: Malahat Viewpoint: A panoramic view of the Saanich Inlet and the Malahat mountain range, making it one of the most popular stops for breathtaking vistas. Jocelyn Hill Viewpoint: Known for its steep climb, this viewpoint rewards hikers with one of the park's best views. It offers sweeping views of the Saanich Peninsula and beyond, making it well worth the effort. Holmes Peak is a quieter but equally stunning viewpoint. Its view over Tod Inlet and the surrounding forests provides a more serene experience. Squally Reach Viewpoint: A hidden gem with scenic views of Squally Reach and the inlet, perfect for a peaceful rest stop during your hike.

Ample parking is available at several access points, with the main lot offering plenty of space. You’ll also find washrooms near the parking area, which is an excellent convenience before starting your trek.

The park is home to plenty of wildlife, so be sure to check for any animal advisories before heading out. Bears and cougars have been sighted in the area, so stay alert and follow safety guidelines. Please be sure to make noise while hiking to avoid surprize encounters.

The hours of operation generally run from dawn to dusk. The best experience comes from planning ahead: wear comfortable hiking shoes (some trails can be steep or rocky) and dress in layers, as the weather can shift quickly in the shaded forested areas.

Remember to bring plenty of water, snacks, and a fully charged phone. A trail map or downloaded GPS app is also essential, as some of the trails are long and wind through the park’s dense forests. It’s always a good idea to hike with a buddy for added safety.

For birdwatchers, the best time to visit is early morning when the park is most serene. You’ll hear the symphony of birds and may spot eagles, woodpeckers, or other songbirds soaring or calling through the trees.

Whether you're out for a casual walk or tackling one of the more challenging routes to reach the viewpoints, Gowlland Tod Provincial Park offers an unforgettable experience. Take your time, savour the sights, and plan for a safe and rewarding adventure!

Highly...

Wow, this place will let you know what type of shape you are in. Had us suckin wind for a bit as we are new to the hiking/walking game. Trails were nice, could be a bit better organized in terms of signage. Stopped for snacks and made our way to Holmes Peak. The view is incredible once there, sit back and relax. Ride on the swing that goes over the cliff if you are brave enough. Almost set off my vertigo so I had to stop. Kids enjoyed the majority of the walk but afterwards they knew that walk kicked their butts. All in all, we had a great time, met some interesting people who were all very nice and were helpful in getting us on the right path since it was our first outing here. Highly recommend 👌 and we as a family will definitely be back for...

BC Parks staff need to walk their own trails and see for themselves how incomplete and misleading their signage is. Roundtree Loop's parking lot sign points only toward the power line road. Not off to the right to the return of the loop. Then, to make matters worse, at the South end of the loop, the trail sign is well off to the west of power line road and not visible from the road. Not visible at all! We and a separate party ended up walking up to the east end of the suspended high tension lines thinking that that was the trail. Only by chance did we manage to locate the loop's west trail. The other...