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East Sooke Regional Park

If you're a nature lover looking for a breathtaking trail for hiking while watching wildlife, follow this recommendation.
East Sooke Regional Park offers spectacular trails to experience the wild west coast of Vancouver Island. Sandy beaches, windswept rocky cliffs, over dry hilltops, through deep coastal forests to sheltered coves, run throughout the park.
East Sooke Park is so large and has three access points and also many destinations. While walking along the coast, you move to the vantage points one after another every few minutes, followed by dense coastal forest and a hidden beach. Coastal Trail, approximately 12 km (7.4 miles) long, stretches out linearly in a collection of pocket beaches, rocky views, and ultra-live tidal pools.


East Sooke Regional Park Location

East Sooke Regional Park, with a 14.3 km² (5.1 mi²) area, is located south of Vancouver Island. It is placed in the waterways of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Sooke Harbour, and Sooke Basin. The park is about 10.2 km (6.3 miles) away from the Sooke community in the west.
You can find several parks and recreational sites near East Sooke Regional Park. Some of them are Creyke Point, Copper Mine Park, Matheson Lake Beach, and Roche Cove Regional Park. By going 15.7 km (9.7 miles) to the southeast, you can reach Race Rocks Ecological Reserve; It is named for its rocky reefs and strong tidal currents, a showcase for various Pacific marine life.


How to Get to East Sooke Regional Park by Car

From Victoria:
You can reach East Sooke Regional Park from Victoria via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. It is 38.6 km (23.9 miles) and takes about 35 minutes.
Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N to Westshore Pkwy in Langford. After driving for 16.1 km (10 miles), follow Westshore Pkwy to Juan De Fuca Hwy/Sooke Rd/BC-14 W. After 4.2 km more, follow Juan De Fuca Hwy/Sooke Rd/BC-14 W and Gillespie Rd to Parkheights Dr in Juan de Fuca. Drive 16.4 km (10.1 miles) more and then turn left onto Parkheights Dr.

From Nanaimo:
You can reach East Sooke Regional Park from Nanaimo via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. It is 117 km (72.7 miles) and takes about one hour and a half.
Take Wallace St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. After driving 550 m (1804.4 ft), turn right onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. Drive 94.1 km (58.4 miles) more and continue on Westshore Pkwy. Take Juan De Fuca Hwy/Sooke Rd/BC-14 W and Gillespie Rd to Parkheights Dr in Juan de Fuca. After 22.4 km (13.9 miles), you will reach East Sooke Regional Park.


The Hike to Get to East Sooke Regional Park

Different hiking and coastal trails get you to East Sooke Regional Park and the stunning rainforest. Some of the designed ones are mentioned below:

1. "East Sooke Coast and Interior Trail Loop," with a moderate skill level, is about 7.7 km (4.7 miles) in length. The best month to use this loop is from May until September, and the elevation gain is about 230 m (754.5 ft).

2. "East Sooke Coast Trail," with a 22.2 km (13.7 miles) length, is a loop. The best months for using this trail are from May until September. It's a challenging loop with 648 m (2125.9 ft) elevation gain.

3. You can hike through "Creyke Point and Squeaky Point via Coast Trail." The location is near T'sou-Ke, and it is a 4.2 km (2.6 miles) out and back trail. It's an easy trail that has 42 m (137.7 ft) elevation gain.

4. "The Beechey Head" trail is a moderate-level loop with a 5.8 km (3.6 miles) length. The elevation gain is 146 m (479 ft).

5. "Aylard Farm, Cabin Point, and Babbington Hill" is a moderate skill level loop with an 8 km (4.9 miles) length. The elevation gain is 710 m 372 m (1220.4 ft).

6. "Anderson Cove, Mount McGuire, Coast Trail, Babbington Hill" is a 15.9 km (9.8 miles) loop. The difficulty level is moderate, and the 710 m (2329.4 ft).

7. Another moderate trail is "Aylard Farm, Cabin Point, Interior Trail Loop." This loop's length is 9.5 km (5.9 miles), and the elevation gain is 277 m (908.7 ft).

8. The "Endurance Ridge Trail" is an out and back with 8.4 km (5.2 miles) length. The difficulty level is moderate, and the elevation gain is 391 m (1282.8 ft).

9. "Anderson Cove and Copper Mine Loop" is a 6.9 km (4.2 miles) trail. The difficulty level is moderate, and the elevation gain is 260 m (853 ft).

10. "Creyke Point" is an easy loop with a 1.6 km (0.9 miles) length. The elevation gain is 20 m (65.6 ft).

11. "Parkheights, Coast, and Interior Loop" is a moderate-level loop with a 7.9 km (4.9 miles) length. The elevation gain is 313 m (1026.9 ft), and the best time to use this loop is from April until September.

12. "Anderson Cove Trail" to Mount Maguire is a difficult loop with a length of 6 km (3.7 miles). The elevation gain is 233 m (764 ft).

13. "Beechy Head to Cabin Point" is an 8.7 km (5.4 miles) loop. The difficulty level is moderate, and the elevation gain is 295 m ( 967.8 ft).


History of East Sooke Regional Park

The people of Coast Salish (the T'Sou-kes), who are residents of the area, lived at Aldridge Point; It was designated in 1927 as a Provincial Heritage Site. They did fishing in the Becher Bay area.
In 1790, the first explorer entered the Sooke Inlet; he was Spanish. After that, the British people came to the north of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Eight years after the first settlement, Vancouver Island was given to the Hudson Bay Company. East Sooke Regional Park was before heaven for harvesting trees, fishing, and mining.


Things to do around the East Sooke Regional Park Area

East Sooke Regional Park is extensive enough to explore and have lots of adventures. For picnickers, Aylard Farm is a favourite choice while you can enjoy hiking on the beach. A 10 km (6.2 miles) coastal trail and wildlife viewing will be a memorable adventure. For fishing enthusiasts, Secretary Island, Possession Point, Trap Shack, Otter Point, Sheringham Point, Point-no-PointJordan River community, and Sookeare the best spots to catch some fishes like Salmon, Halibut, and Rockfish. From April to November, you have a chance to watch Southern Resident Orcas, and from March to November, Minke Whales or even Gray whales can be seen.

The Best Parks Near East Sooke Regional Park

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

French Beach Provincial Park

French Beach Provincial Park

Jordan River Regional Park

Jordan River Regional Park

Willows Park

Willows Park

West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park

West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park

Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park

Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park

Beacon Hill Park

Beacon Hill Park

Memory Island Provincial Park

Memory Island Provincial Park

Goldstream Provincial Park

Goldstream Provincial Park

Mount Douglas Park

Mount Douglas Park

East Sooke Regional Park

East Sooke Regional Park

East Sooke Regional Park Activities

Hiking

You will find The Coast Trail in East Sooke Regional Park the most beautiful coastal day-hike on southern Vancouver Island, but regard that hiking there can be so challenging.

Swimming

There are swimming pools and beaches near East Sook Regional Park, including East Sooke, Weir Beach, SookePoint Ocean Cottage Resort, Sooke Harbour Resort & Marina, Sandcut Beach, China Beach, Sandcut Beach, Wittys Beach, China Beach Campground, and French Beach.

Storm Watching

East Sooke Park, French Beach, China Beach, Juan de Fuca and Sombrio Beach offer many storms watching opportunities.

Wildlife Viewing

It's an excellent place for watching whales, deer and birds.

Fishing

Fishing is possible at Secretary Island, Possession Point, Trap Shack, Otter Point, Sheringham Point, Point-no-Point, the Jordan River, and also Sooke. You can catch fish species like Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Pink Salmon, Halibut, and Rockfish.

Whale Watching

Whales in the area include Southern Resident Orcas, which you can see from April through November and Transient Orcas, which you can find throughout the year. You may sight Humpbacks from March through November or Minke Whales, but you may not have a chance to watch Gray whales.

What you Can Expect to Do Near East Sooke Regional Park

Hiking on the Grass Lake Trail

Hiking on the Grass Lake Trail

Hiking on Mount Manuel Quimper

Hiking on Mount Manuel Quimper

Hiking on Mount Empress from Sooke Potholes via Mary Vine and Todd Creek Trails

Hiking on Mount Empress from Sooke Potholes via Mary Vine and Todd Creek Trails

Hiking on the East Sooke Coast Trail

Hiking on the East Sooke Coast Trail

Hiking on the East Sooke Coast and Interior Trail Loop

Hiking on the East Sooke Coast and Interior Trail Loop

Otter Point Park Whale Watching

Otter Point Park Whale Watching

West Coast Outdoor Adventure Whale Watching

West Coast Outdoor Adventure Whale Watching

Cabin Point Whale Watching

Cabin Point Whale Watching

Beechey Head Whale Watching

Beechey Head Whale Watching

Spirit Bay Visitor Centre Whale Watching

Spirit Bay Visitor Centre Whale Watching

Creyke Point Whale Watching

Creyke Point Whale Watching

Victoria Harbour Ferry Whale Watching

Victoria Harbour Ferry Whale Watching

Fisherman's Wharf Park Whale Watching

Fisherman's Wharf Park Whale Watching

West Bay Esquimalt Whale Watching

West Bay Esquimalt Whale Watching

Cattle Point Storm Watching

Cattle Point Storm Watching

East Sooke Regional Park Outline

Specifications

Climate

Timing

Trails


1- The numbers are estimated on average.

What you Can Expect to See Near East Sooke Regional Park

Spiral Beach

Spiral Beach

McNeil Bay

McNeil Bay

Port Renfrew

Port Renfrew

Langford

Langford

Gonzales Bay

Gonzales Bay

Jordan River (Settlement)

Jordan River (Settlement)

Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site

Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site

Sooke

Sooke

Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens

Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

The Royal BC Museum

The Royal BC Museum

Miniature World

Miniature World

Willows Beach

Willows Beach

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Mystic Beach

Mystic Beach

Planning for East Sooke Regional Park

Suitability

Camping & Resort

Services

Tips

Packing

1. Dogs are allowed in East Sooke Park and can use the trials, but you have to control them all the time.
1. Camping is not allowed in the park.
1. There are accessible toilets at each park entrance, and the Iron Mine Bay /Coast Trail ends.
2. You can find Group picnic shelter seating for eight and a picnic table at Aylard Farm, three rest areas and one picnicking area along the Coast Trail, one picnicking area at Anderson Cove entrance.
3. There are Information kiosks at Aylard Farm and Pike Road entrances.
4. Aylard Farm parking lot offers parking for 70+ vehicles (summer overflow parking is also available), and room for full-size buses, and four accessible parking stalls. Anderson Cove parking lot has room for 20+ vehicles and room for mid-size buses. Pike Road parking lot has parking for 20+ vehicles and room for mid-size buses.
5. Public transportation is available for getting to the East Sooke Regional Park. Take BC Transit 64 East Sooke Loop Bus from 17 Mile House to East Sooke Road. Next to the entrance to Anderson Cove, There is a bus stop. Just remember that BC Transit 64 has no service on the weekend, which only runs Monday to Friday.

What Do You Think about East Sooke Regional Park?