The Gowlland Range is a small and low mountain range on southern Vancouver Island, south of Brentwood Bay and east of Saanich Inlet. The Gowlland Island, adjacent to the city of Victoria, has a 58 sq km (22.3 sq miles) area, and it is a subrange of Vancouver Island Ranges.
Portions of the Gowlland Tod Provincial Park along the Finlayson Arm embed parts of the Gowlland Range. The highest mountain of the Gowlland Range is Mount Work, 449 m (1473 ft.) in height. Another mountain within the Gowlland Range is Mount Finlayson, with 419 m (1374 ft.) height.
The Gowlland Range towers 430 m (1410 ft.) over Finlayson Arm and has spectacular views and varieties of animals such as blacktail deer, cougar, river otter, raccoons, black bear and birds as hawks, eagle, grouse, and owl.
Mountaineers would experience fantastic climbing and hiking trails passing through a beautiful forest ornamented with plentiful, stunning wildlife.
Ascending the Gowlland Range, the awe-inspiring views of the mountains surrounding the area, packed trees below your feet overlooking the Saanich Inlet are fascinating, garnished with colourful birds and wildlife creatures.
The Gowlland Range Trails offer fantastic hiking, winding around grassy meadows and rocky knolls through gorgeous Douglas fir trees and an old-growth forest. Rare species elsewhere flourish in this area, where a lot of wildlife and birds are living. The abundance of marine creatures attracts visitors worldwide and offers scuba diving and other marine activities such as boating seeking calm waters, and a peaceful environment.
The Gowlland Range is located south of Vancouver Island, 20 km (12.4 miles) northwest Victoria, between Saanich Inlet and Brentwood Bay. The Gowlland Range stretches west of the Saanich Peninsula. Finlayson Arm of the Saanich Inlet borders the southwest of the Gowlland Range to the northeast; the stretch finishes at Brentwood Bay.
Along the Finlayson Arm, portions of the Gowlland Tod Provincial Park encompass parts of the Gowlland Range. The park is a paradise for hikers offering 25 well-maintained hiking trails winding through packed with a variety of beautiful trees and wildlife creatures around grassy meadows and rocky knolls.
The Gowlland Range towers 430 m (1410 ft.) over Saanich Inlet near Victoria. There are several beautiful parks around the Gowlland Range, at which visitors can have some lovely recreational days and enjoy several activities.
Should you have time, check out the Goldstream Provincial Park within 5 km (3.1 miles) southwest of the Gowlland Range. Other nearby parks are Thetis Regional Park 5 km (3.1 miles) to the southeast, Mt Work Regional Park adjacent to the Gowlland Tod Provincial Park and the Butchart Gardens.
Sooke Lake and Shawnigan Lake are located 10 km (6.2 miles) northwest of the Gowlland Range, having breathtaking views of the lake and ambiance. Visiting Elk Lake and Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park would be fun, and you can have the pleasure of kayaking. Langford Lake and Glen Lake are two gorgeous lakes in Langford, about 10 km (6.2 miles) south of the Gowlland Range.
From Nanaimo:
The fastest route to get to the Gowlland Range from Nanaimo is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. It is a 102 km (63.3 miles) route that takes about 1 hour 26 minutes to get there.
Head east on Wallace St toward Fraser St. 350 m (1148 ft.) further, Wallace St turns slightly right and becomes Victoria Crescent. Continue for 170 m (557 ft.), then turn left onto Esplanade. After 36 m (118 ft.), turn right onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. Continue driving for 91.2 km (56.6 miles), then turn left onto Finlayson Arm Rd. After 5 km (3.1 miles), turn left onto Millstream Rd. Follow Millstream Rd for 4.4 km (2.7 miles), then turn left onto Martlett Dr. Continue for 350 m (1148 ft.) to reach the Gowlland Range.
From Victoria:
Getting to the Gowlland Range from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and Millstream. It is a 22.2 km (13.7 miles) route and takes about 26 minutes to get there.
Head west on Pandora Ave toward Government St. After 99 m (324 ft.), turn right onto Government St and continue for 1 km (0.6 miles). Slight right toward Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and 72 km (44.7 miles) further, use any lane to turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. Drive 10.9 km (6.7 miles) then use any lane to turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. Continue for 700 m (2296 ft.) and merge onto W Coast Rd/Millstream Rd/BC-14 E. After 9.1 km (5.6 miles) driving, turn left onto Martlett Dr. Continue 350 m (1148 ft.) to reach the Gowlland Range.
The Gowlland Range and its nearby area offer several hiking trails with beautiful scenery as the "Gowlland Range Trail." The Gowlland Range starts outside of the Gowlland Tod Provincial Park ends in the Gowlland Range. It is a 1 km (0.6 miles) out-and-back trail with an elevation gain of 113 m (370.7 ft). The Gowlland Range Trail is primarily used for nature trips, hiking, viewing wildlife, and birdwatching.
The evidence of first nations' pre-contact use of the range's area exists at six archeological sites along the Gowlland Range shoreline. Also, there are reminders of pioneer activity such as the old logging and mining roads network, the homestead at Caleb pike, an early copper mine, and Vancouver Portland Cement Company, which was later developed as the Butchart Gardens adjacent to Tod Inlet.
Visiting the Gowlland Range induces a fresh sense besides its spectacular views. Mountaineers and visitors would enjoy several activities in the area and Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, such as climbing the mountains with awe-inspiring views.
Hiking the well-maintained trails with the beautiful scenery garnished by beautiful wildlife and vagrant birds as well as open meadows and beautiful trees induces a sense of freshness. Due to various marine creatures and marine activities, the area attracts scuba divers, kayakers, and canoers who seek calm waters and peace to spend even a whole day paddling and enjoying the pleasant atmosphere. Visitors would have fun cycling and horseback riding on designated areas through Gowlland Tod Provincial Park.
