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The Sooke Hills are located west of Victoria, between the western communities of Langford, Metchosin and the Town of Sooke. In accomplishing the vision of the Sea to Sea Green Belt, TLC purchased 1376 hectares (3400 acres) in the Sooke Hills. TLC’s successful purchase of this land has completed a critical link between Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park and Sooke Mountain Provincial Park. Protection of this land was proposed and supported for years by a broad alliance of local conservation groups. By working together, these groups hope to further link existing parks from Salt Spring Island to East Sooke and create a 200 square kilometer corridor of permanently protected land and marine area on the western boundary of the Capital Region. These critical lands included in the 1376 hectares include:
- 610 hectares of forested hills on the northern boundary of Sooke Mountain Provincial Park
- 768 hectares on the park’s southern boundary;
- A 1-acre area along the Galloping Goose Regional Trail at Sooke Basin;
- Mt. Manuel Quimper (and many of the other Sooke Hills);
- Three beautiful lakes (Grasse, Shields and Crabapple lakes); and
- Large sections of both Ayum Creek and Charters River valleys.
All the parcels that make up the 1376 hectares are being passed to Capital Regional District Parks over five years to manage as regional parkland.
Acquisition Information
TLC received a contribution of $2 million by the Federal government toward the purchase of the property. Their contribution was added to the $3 million from the parks levy agreed to by the Capital Regional District in January 2001. TLC is raising a final 138,000 needed to complete the purchase.
Access to the Site
There are no signed trails or walkways developed through the Sooke hills at this time. Access may be gained by parking at Harbourview Road and walking up a path from the parking lot. There are many informal trails leading from the main path.
Please note: access into this property by motorized vehicles is prohibited.
