Lochside Trail – Alternate Route on the Trans Canada Trail between Victoria and Tsawwassen
Distance

DISTANCE

28km
GPS

GPS DOWNLOADS

Distance

MAP

About the Journey

This route is a suitable alternative to traveling the Trans Canada Trail north on Vancouver Island to reach the lower mainland (Vancouver area) via the Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen ferry. Our Southwest region maps provide information on routes connecting from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal.




Staging Areas:

GPS INFORMATION:

  • KML/KMZ files can be opened in Google Earth, and many smartphone apps.
  • GPX files can be opened by most GPS software apps when KMZ cannot. Note, GPX files do not contain custom colours and icons that we use on our maps; all tracks and icons will appear the same colour and styles. We recommend using KMZ instead of GPX if possible.

The files below include data for only this specific area. For all of our Trans Canada Trail data for the entire province (including features, campsites and alternate routes), download our BC.kmz master file (1.2 MB) Visit our GPS & Navigation page for instructions of how to use your smartphone as a GPS device (even when outside of data coverage) or how to import data to your Garmin unit.


GPS DOWNLOAD (KMZ FILE)
GPS DOWNLOAD (GPX FILE)
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Staging Areas:

Washrooms:

An outhouse is located at Island View Road, which is basically the halfway mark between Victoria and Sidney.

Route Highlights:

This picturesque 29 kilometre multi–use trail, formerly a railway line, stretches from Swartz Bay to Victoria, past beaches, farmland, and wetlands, down country lanes and beside suburban backyards. The trail has a more civilized personality than its more rural cousin, the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. While some parts of the Lochside Trail are off-road and others downright pastoral, in some places trail visitors must share paved or gravel public roads with motor vehicles and farm vehicles. You can cycle, stroll, run, or even ride a horse through the rural sections. Whether you’re commuting to work, meandering on a weekend afternoon or pacing yourself from the Switch Bridge to Swartz Bay, the trail is yours to enjoy and yours to protect. The former railway which once called the Lochside home was known as the Canadian Northern Pacific (By 1918 Canadian National) Railway. Starting from Victoria, the railway travelled north along the peninsula to Patricia Bay – therefore the northern segment of the trail is not technically rail trail. The railway was abandoned and sat for many years until the trail was opened in 2001. For those travelling on foot, you may wish to take a short detour in Sidney to follow the walking trail along the waterfront. The Lochside Trail intersects with the Galloping Goose Regional Trail and Trans Canada Trail just north of Victoria. Island View Regional Park is a great spot for a picnic and makes an ideal resting point as it is roughly near the halfway mark between Victoria and Sidney. Turn east when you reach Island View Road. Alternatively, stop for a lunch break at Michell’s Farm located at the insection of the Lochside Trail at Island View Road.


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Shopping:

Mattick’s Farm is a popular stopping point north of Victoria, found at the Cordova Bay Golf Club – which is about 5 km north of Royal Oak Drive. There is a small fruit and veggie market located at the corner of Island View Road and the Lochside, located roughly halfway between Victoria and Sidney.

Accomodations:

Transportation: