The Galloping Goose

A Ride on South East Vancouver Island

Alan Williams

Lochside and Galloping Goose Trails

The old railways were abandoned in the 60’s. 

The Capital Regional District lifted the rail tracks and built a dedicated cycle path that runs from the ferry terminal at Swartz Bay to Leechtown and the potholes on the Sooke River.

The route is popular with hikers and cyclists.

We parked our car at the marina in Point Roberts. Parking cost nothing there!

Following a short ride back into Canada we headed for the Swartz Bay ferry.

The Lochside bicycle trail starts at Swartz Bay. It is a pleasant  ride through Sydney and into Victoria. It is mostly paved. Some is compacted gravel on an old railroad bed long since removed. The Capital Regional District has set the route aside for recreational use.

The Galloping Goose begins in Victoria and runs approximately fifty kilometers west to Sooke.

In all we cycled 230 km in four days.

Spring flowers along the trail.  Being a green thumb, Nancy spent a lot of time getting images like this.


The old railways were abandoned in the 60’s. 

The Capital Regional District lifted the rail tracks and built a dedicated cycle path that runs from the ferry terminal at Swartz Bay to Leechtown and the potholes on the Sooke River.

The route is popular with hikers and cyclists.

In Sooke we booked into a nice bed and breakfast and enjoyed a delightful eggs benedict breakfast prepared by master chef, Pat.

He made marmelade jam containing broom petals.  Quite different.

We saw lots of deer. They are the favourite food of mountain lions that also frequent the area.



The Galloping Goose
  1. Lochside and Galloping Goose Trails