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, 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.
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.
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).
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.
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-Point, Jordan 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.
