Hit the Road: Two Spectacular Day Trips from Victoria, BC

Not only is Victoria an absolute pleasure to explore, but it also has some of Vancouver Island’s most spectacular day trips right on its doorstep. Here’s the lowdown on two of the prettiest…

Victoria to Duncan

76 kilometres, around 1 hour and 10 minutes
Head north of Victoria along Highway 1 and you’ll find yourself cruising through lush, temperate rainforest. At Goldstream Provincial Park, hop out of the car and soak up the views over the stunning Saanich Inlet from the Malahat Lookout. Check out the old-growth forest and hike the trail up Mount Finlayson for some fantastic views of the city, ocean and forest. Duncan itself is known as the ‘City of Totems’, as there are more than 80 First Nations carvings to see.
 
Hot Tip: Just 45 minutes north of Victoria in the Cowichan Valley, make a stop at the Merridale Ciderworks. Non-drivers can enjoy a cider tasting, while drivers can sample some pretty special pizza – they use cider yeast as a leavening agent, which gives the pizza its distinct flavour.
 

Sooke to Victoria

41 kilometres, around 45 minutes
Twist and turn your way along the coast from the heritage-lined streets of downtown Victoria and through peaceful rural landscapes to the small, picturesque harbourside town of Sooke, where there are stores, restaurants and galleries to explore. Along the way stop off at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse, where you can tour through secret bunkers, military command posts and original 19th century buildings. This artillery fortress was on active duty from 1895 to 1956. You can also visit Fisgard Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse on western Canada's coastline.
 
Hot Tip: Pay a visit to Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery in Sooke, BC’s first licensed meadery. They’ve been making mead (honey wine) here for over 25 years, so it’s well worth visiting their tasting room.
 
If you’re looking for a great Victoria hotel to use as a base, The Days Inn Victoria Uptown is the perfect option. Offering breathtaking views of the Gorge Waterway by day and the sparkling lights of the BC Legislature Building by night, the hotel is a fantastic accommodation option for a long weekend getaway on Vancouver Island this summer.

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