211 cycling stops along this route · Vancouver Island
The beloved beginner overnighter: from Swartz Bay, follow the Lochside Trail through Saanich farmland and the Galloping Goose's rail-trail wilderness to Sooke Potholes Provincial Park, about 75 km each way with barely a hill, 95% of it on trail. Camp near the river and spend the evening swimming in the famous rock pools; the park squeezes cyclists in even when sites run out. Bike shops and resupply sit right on the route, and the trail never strays far from help. Bring cash for the campground and a book for the beach.
The full map, turn-by-turns, and GPX for this ride are on Gravel Buddies. Our map shows roughly where the ride goes, not how to follow it.
The dashed line is our rough sketch, drawn only to show where the ride is. For the real, rideable route, get the route from Gravel Buddies.
Ready to ride it?