Mount Manuel Quimper is a nice trail that makes it possible to hike through the forest with a great view of Sooke Harbour from the top. The trail is shared with downhill bikers but relatively quiet.
Mount Manuel Quimper hiking trail with 478 m (1568.2 ft) elevation gain is a moderately trafficked loop. It is placed in the Sooke area with a 10 kilometre (6.2 miles) length. Spectacular views overlooking the East Sooke, Olympic Peninsula, and the Sooke Wilderness. It is the most accessible mountain in the Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park, exemplifying Mount Manuel Quimper among other similar hiking trails. Mountain biking and wildlife viewing may be traced in this great trail. The best time for hiking on Mount Manuel Quimper is from May until October.
Mount Manuel Quimper is located in Sea to Sea Regional Park, northeast of Sooke. Getting there, park your car at Sea to Sea Regional Trail Parking lot, and from that point, start your hiking adventure. Hiking this well-marked and well-kept trail, you may have challenges on the way up, but it is easy on the way down. Hike the trail to the summit where the interesting Mt Manuel Quimper old fire lookout tower is situated. Watching the mountain bikers ride this multi-use trail is expectable.
From Nanaimo:
Getting to Sea to Sea Regional Trail Parking lot from Nanaimo is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. The whole route is 113 km (70.2 miles) and takes about an hour and a half.
Take Wallace St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S for 550 m (1804.4 ft). Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S to W Shr Pkwy in Langford and drive 94.1 km (58.4 miles). Follow W Shr Pkwy and Juan De Fuca Hwy/Sooke Rd/BC-14 W to Sooke Mountain Park Rd in Sooke. After 18.4 km (11.4 miles), you will reach Sea to Sea Regional Trail Parking lot.
From Victoria:
The access from Victoria to Mount Manuel Quimper trail is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and Juan De Fuca Hwy/Sooke Rd/BC-14 W. The route is 34.6 km (21.5 miles) and takes about a half an hour.
Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N to W Shr Pkwy in Langford for 16.1 km (10 miles). Take W Shr Pkwy to Juan De Fuca Hwy/Sooke Rd/BC-14 and after 4.2 km (2.6 miles) turn right onto Juan De Fuca Hwy/Sooke Rd/BC-14 W. Drive 13.5 km (8.3 miles) and follow Harbourview Rd to Sooke Mountain Park Rd. After 750 m (2460.6 ft), you will reach Sea to Sea Regional Trail Parking lot.