Walking (and Jogging) the Waterfront

 

Sunset off Dallas Road | Photo: Mike Nelson Pedde

 

Like to get your regular exercise? The conference is ideally located for enjoying your daily dose of aerobics in the fresh, sea air.

Starting from the Empress Hotel, cross the street and take the stairway down to the waterfront. Turn right (north) and follow the walkway over boardwalk and past marinas until it takes you back up to street level near the landmark Johnson Street Bridge. Cross the bridge (you’re now heading more-or-less west) and follow the walkway down in front of the Ocean Pointe Resort and along the shoreline for about 4 km (2.5 miles) to West Bay Marina.

This is a beautiful route along the waterfront, including boardwalks across little bays and short detours through oceanside parks. Highlights include local folk art and the not-to-be-missed Spinnakers Brew Pub. Between Spinnakers and the end of the trail, you’ll pass a long, zig-zaggy flight of stairs — great for a couple of runs up and down.

If you cross the bridge on the north side, you will see a trail leading off to your right. This is the beginning of the fabulous Galloping Goose Trail, named for a rail car that carried mail and passengers between Victoria and the western community of Sooke during the 1920s. If you have the time, it will take you nearly 60 km (37 miles) through city and country to Leechtown, once a gold rush town, now just forest. The part close to downtown follows the harbour past an eco-friendly condo development and crosses the Gorge waterway — a lovely place to lean on the railing and take in the surroundings.

Head in the other direction (south or left) from the Empress and you will find that the waterfront walkway is broken up in places by detours along the street, but you will eventually get to the Ogden Point Breakwater — another not-to-be-missed place. There’s a great little café at the shore end.

From Ogden Point, a path meanders east along the Dallas Road cliffs to Gonzales Bay. On a clear day, Washington State’s Olympic Mountains form the backdrop to a spectacular view across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. There are many points of interest to watch for: the world’s largest freestanding totem pole (actually in Beacon Hill Park), a cairn honouring Marilyn Bell’s 1956 swim across the Strait, Mile Zero of the Trans Canada Highway and more.

Turn north again to wander through beautiful Beacon Hill Park, 62 ha (154 acres) that have been protected for the enjoyment of the public since 1858. A network of trails leads through wooded areas, by ponds and creeks, alongside landscaped gardens and eventually back to Douglas Street, just a couple of blocks from the Empress.

If you get tired of walking, go to Munro’s Books — fabulous!

All of these routes provide interesting, scenic opportunities for walking and jogging. Enjoy them.

Guest blogger Gretchen Eddy Carroll & APH Member Pattie Whitehouse