It is important to respect other trail users and support the organizations that maintain the trails where ever you ride.

Tips on how to ride safely and responsibly.

Vancouver Island

Victoria

Riding in Victoria
Photo by Matt Smith

Island City Riding

Victoria is BC's capital city and the surrounding area offers island riding at its finest. A quick drive from downtown Victoria, you will find a variety of trails for every kind of rider at Hartland Mountain Bike Park - from easy blues to black and double black rides. The South Island Mountain Bike Society (SIMBS) maintains the trails in Hartland and has recently added new trails as well as upgraded some existing trails including 90's Jank, Sofa King (rebuild), and Organ Donor (extension). Middle Earth is a new climbing trail that features a bridge through the middle of a tree and Southridge Flow is...you guessed it...the latest flow trail at Hartland.

Connecting Victoria to the surrounding communities are several rail trails. The Galloping Goose (Victoria to Sooke), Lochside (Victoria to Swartz Bay), and the E&N (Victoria to Langford) offer a great alternative to driving and a means to explore more trails in the region including Victoria's urban bike parks. Close to downtown is Topaz Bike Park featuring a new asphalt pump track that will test any rider's fitness and skill from beginner to advanced. Or ride the Lochside trail to the Tripp Station Bike Park and practice sending it on the progressive dirt jumps.

Between rides, stroll Victoria's downtown shops and cafes, walk along oceanside trails and promenades, go whale watching, or visit iconic museums and art galleries.

Number of Trails:
87
Highest Elevation:
373 m
Trails:
easy
5
intermediate
47
difficult
24
extra difficult
11
Riding in Victoria

Getting Here & Trail Access

It's easy to get to Vancouver Island's largest city.

Victoria is located at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Access is along Highway 1 south from anywhere up island, or via Highway 17 from Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.

  • Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal - 37 km (23 mi), 35 minutes
  • Duncan - 55 km (34 mi), 1 hour
  • Nanaimo - 110 km (68 mi), 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Sooke - 40 km (25 mi), 50 minutes

Victoria International Airport is 27 kilometres (17 miles) north of Victoria, but highways make travel to the city quick and easy. From Victoria International Airport, exit south onto Patricia Bay Highway all the way to downtown Victoria.

Or you can take Harbour Air floatplane flights from Vancouver, Richmond, Whistler, Nanaimo, Tofino, Powell River, and Sechelt to downtown Victoria direct.

Mtb trails in Victoria:

Hartland Mountain Bike Park

Partridge Hills / Gowlland Todd Provincial Park

Regional rail trails:

Galloping Goose (Victoria to Sooke)

Lochside (Victoria to Swartz Bay)

E&N (Victoria to Langford)

Urban bike parks:

Topaz Bike Park (Topaz Avenue & Blanchard Street)

Tripp Station Bike Park (near Willow & Borden Street)

See Tourism Victoria Opens in a new window/tab. for more info

Support Our Local Trails

Consider supporting SIMBS which helps maintain the trails in Victoria and advocates for the mountain bike community. Special thanks to the Greater Victoria Sport Tourism Commission for their support and for growing sports tourism for the benefit of the Greater Victoria region.

Nearby Spots