Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park — Attraction in Highlands

Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park is an absolute treasure for adventurers looking to explore some of the most rugged and untouched landscapes on Vancouver Island. The park's vast wilderness offers a true escape into nature. Parking is available at the nearby Humpback Reservoir parking lot, though it can be a bit limited, so arriving early is a good idea, especially on weekends. The park operates from dawn to dusk, giving you plenty of daylight to enjoy the trails.

Sturdy hiking boots are a must, as the terrain can be pretty challenging, with rocky sections, steep inclines, and uneven paths. Dress in layers to stay comfortable, as the weather can change quickly in the hills.

Bring plenty of water, snacks, a map, and a fully charged phone or GPS device, as cell service can be spotty. The trails can be remote, so staying on marked paths and letting someone know your hiking plans is crucial. There are no water sources along the trails, so please come prepared.

One of the best trails is the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It's a more challenging route but well worth it for experienced hikers. For a less strenuous option, the Mount Wells Trail is shorter and gives you fantastic views at the summit. Along the way, you might spot black-tailed deer, various species of birds, and even bears or cougars in the more remote areas, so be mindful of your surroundings.

There are restroom facilities near the parking lot, so make sure to use them before you head on your way. There are no restrooms in the park itself.

The park is great for a range of activities, including hiking, birdwatching, and wilderness exploration. However, camping is not allowed, and there are no picnic facilities, so it’s best to plan a day trip. If you love nature and don’t mind a bit of a challenge, Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park offers an unforgettable...

Some people are easily pleased. I don't mean to look a gift horse in the mouth but it's hard to figure out who this trail was made for. It's far too difficult for bicycle tourists heading up island. Even pushing an unloaded bike up some of the grades is difficult. On the return trip back from Shawnigan on the CVRD Malahat Connector my GPS measured some grades at 25%. At the moment much of it is covered in loose gravel making it very technical. Riding downhill is as hard as riding uphill. Not for novices unless you just want to go to the suspension bridge afterwich the climb starts in earnest and barely lets up. Doubtful I would...

Mountain bike trails, rock climbing, streams and waterfalls. The trail along the water is easy for beginners as it is a wide gravel path. You can hike into goldstream Park from here after crossing the suspension bridge and past the waterfall. A section of the trail is closed due to a rock slide so excersize caution and take the train tracks around the bulge of loose rocks in the cable netting. Lots of animals to see and cool...