Discovering Sooke, British Columbia
Published April 8th, 2024
“Welcome to our island paradise,” a friend said as we arrived in Sooke. Home to a friendly village, lush rainforests, off-the-beaten-track hiking trails, unspoiled stretches of beach and the rocky coastline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, visitors come to unwind and connect with the beauty of British Columbia’s wilderness. Find it on a map on the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island, 45 minutes from downtown Victoria.
Sooke takes its name from T’Souke – the indigenous people who were the first inhabitants.
This tree-hugger’s paradise welcomes visitors year-round. In spring and summer, you can see whales as they migrate through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Fall is when to enjoy the vibrant foliage in the wild. Winter months, when temperatures seldom dip below freezing, is the time to storm watch and see massive waves crashing against the rugged coastline. Any time of the year, be prepared for showers.
Here's what is waiting to welcome you:
Trails, trails and more trails
East Sooke Regional Park, a beautiful, rugged area of more than 3,500 acres blessed with old-growth giants, valleys and coastal scenery lays claim to over 50 kms of hiking trails. Options abound, with a trail for every hiker.
The challenging 27.5 km loop East Sooke Coast Trail leads through dense forest of fir and arbutus trees and past stunning ocean-side viewpoints. It takes about 7 to 8 hours to complete.
Anyone looking for a less strenuous hike can follow the 1.8 km loop to Creyke Point. It runs alongside the rocky coastline through an old-growth forest of mossy trees and takes about 25 minutes. Perfect for families.
If you are a picnicker looking for an easy excursion, Aylard Farm is a 5-minute walk through open fields that lead to a short steep dirt trail down to a beach where river otters scurry across the sand. The trail heads inland to hilltop views, or along the rugged and steep 10km Coast Trail.
Then there’s the 2.7 km trail, along the Whiffin Spit, a slender slip of a peninsula which separates Sooke Basin from the wild waters of the Juan de Fuca Strait. On a clear day, you can see the Olympic Mountains on the horizon. A relatively flat trail, it’s ideal for strollers and wheelchairs. Birdwatchers and photographers gravitate here. If you’re lucky you’ll see a Humpback whale, or even an Orca.
If biking is your thing, the 55-km Galloping Goose Trail that stretches from downtown Victoria to Sooke, could be your first choice. Originally the route of the CN railway, the trail passes through urban, rural and wilderness areas. Expect to meet hikers, runners, and horseback riders along the way.
Sooke Marine Boardwalk
For a leisurely stroll or morning jog, the Sooke Boardwalk loop allows locals and visitors to enjoy waterfront views and often provides an opportunity to meet locals fishing for Dungeness and Red Rock crabs. The wooden boardwalk stretches for two kilometres along the village waterfront. It’s accessible from the Ed MacGregor Park, a small, picturesque landmark in the heart of the town, named after Sooke’s first mayor. Wind your way down through a forest of giant fir trees to the water, where you get a maritime view of the Sooke Basin. At the end of the board walk you can either retrace your steps (about 1,000 of them) or pick up a trail which leads uphill to the village. Along the way to the pier, you may spot harbour seals, herons, sea gulls. And have an opportunity to chat with locals who are crabbing – a popular pastime here. You will discover why, if you want the sweeter Dungenesss variety for dinner, you don’t put them in the same bucket as those aggressive Red Rocks.
Sooke Potholes
Summer in Sooke means Potholes. Not the potholes you find on a highway, but stunning geological formations and natural swimming holes carved into Sooke River’s bedrock by “glacier-deposited boulders.” Find them in Sooke Potholes Provincial Park. They are worth exploring. You can drive into the park, leave your car in one of three designated lots to hike along the almost 9 km trail, with stops at various beaches where you discover the sparkling swimming holes. Off season, you’ll share the park with locals walking their dogs; in summer you’ll find it “bulging” with locals as well as tourists. At the north end of the park, the 67-site tent an RV campground operates each summer on a first-come, first-placed basis.
AdrenaLine Zipline
For a drone’s eye view of the area, AdrenaLine Zipline takes thrill seekers on an exhilarating two-hour Canopy Tour. The tree-top adventure through the coastal temperate rain forest operates from April through October. You’ll experience the thrill of zooming through eight different ziplines ranging from 45 to 305 metres in length and catch the majestic beauty of the forest canopy along a 100-foot suspension bridge. At the same time, you’ll learn about the area’s wildlife and history. www.adrenalinezip.com
Discover the beating heart of Sooke
Café V0S1N0, tucked in around a corner, off the main drag at 6715 Eustace Road, is where you go for an awesome cup of coffee, where you go for Eggamajig and other tasty treats and where you go to meet people. “It’s all about connection,” says Wendy O’Connor, a local mover and shaker who saved the original coffee shop, Stick in the Mud, when it was up for sale. “If you drop in not knowing anyone, you will end up chatting. It’s where you make friends and where you connect with this awesome community.” The name V0S1N0, in case you were wondering, was the original Sooke postal code for the entire town.
Where to Stay
Indulge in a stay at Prestige Oceanfront Resort for a luxurious, tranquil seaside retreat. Enjoy the breath-taking views of Sooke basin, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains. Enjoy a signature treatment at Coastal Tides Day Spa and dining at renowned West Coast Grill. www.Sooke@PrestigeHotels.ca