Update: Here is a walk from the field in behind. Great place for dogs! and Bird Watching! And another one...Otter enjoying a fish!
Tod Inlet, Brentwood Bay, BC
Tod Inlet is one of our favorite places. Easy walk down to the inlet. Stroller Friendly so you see a lot of families. Again there are signs that say all dogs on leash... Here are a few photos of my most recent visit. They are still working on cleaning up all the beaches. There is nice sand there now. Not muddy anymore.
There are so many beautiful trails from Sooke onwards to Port Renfrew. A windy road and no cell service are the only negatives. (but I know this is a positive for many!)
Botanical Beach has an easy walk trail down to the beach. There are two trail choices they both are the same loop. When the tide is low the tide pools are amazing. When it is high. It is a bit sketchy for dogs to go near the water. The surf is big. Still worth a walk and there is a little sand area for your dog to run around. There are no garbage containers. But there are outhouses. I believe all provincial parks are on-leash parks on the trails.
Mackenzie Bite trail, Gowlland Park Provincial Park. This is a nice hike to the beautiful beach. Quite steep but not a long hike. I don't recommend packing too much stuff. Coming back up is a work out. There are outhouses there and usually you will see the odd boat anchored in the area. A beautiful swimming beach! You can also access this beach via Mark Lane at Willis Point by car.
Witty's Lagoon, Metchosin
This a a great beach for skim boarding when the tides are low. This picture shows the tides at mid way. Access to the beach is not clearly marked. The main access is closed right now. But you can still access from Tower Point. Park at the parking lot at Tower Point and there is nice dog friendly path that will take you to the point. However, not much space there. Instead if you park and then walk further down the street to the end of the culdesac there is a set of stairs. Prepare to get your legs wet if it is high tide. You can't get through without getting wet. If you stay right to cross it is shallower. No dogs are allowed to stay in the summer, however there are always dogs there and they are mostly out in the water.....
Here is the link to Witty's Lagoon
Dog Walks
Please go to contact page with your link if you would like to share a dog walk.....
These videos will get better as I go... still working on what is worthy of showing. I"m also not adding music because I want people to know what it is really like there.
Dean Park, North Saanich, BC
Dean Park has great trails. Some good steep climbs if you choose and some amazing view points. Watch the trail signs. They are a bit confusing! Good to download the map off the internet if you have never been there before. The signs do say keep your dog on leash. (Most dogs are not but I have come across non dog walkers that are angry if your dog is off leash.
Still trying to figure out where this is on the maps of Saltspring. Off of Musgrave Rd near Fulford Harbour. I think this is Mt. Tuam. Little tough to navigate where we were going. But there are numbered tags on trees to tell you what trail you are at. Beautiful look out and great hike. Hoping the PARC will get some maps available!
Gowlland Tod, Saanich Peninsula
There are many trails. to choose from at Gowlland Tod. This trail is accessed near Durance Lake on Willis Point Rd.. You need to pass the Mt Work parking lot and park down the road on the right pull out you will see the Mackenzie Bite sign there. These trails are fairly wide and moderate hiking. Some steep parts. Here is the link to the park info site. Signage is not excellent in there, so I would suggest printing out a map from the parks website.
Centennial Park, Central Saanich, BC
Centennial Park is a municipal park with lots of trails. It is very dog friendly. Off Leash friendly and just a great place to take your dog. The trails are not long but with all the loops and cut throughs you can get a pretty good walk out of it. Stroller friendly, horse friendly, bike friendly!! Please be respectful of the horses and keep your dogs back.
Island View Beach is located in Central Saanich. This is a dog friendly walk (well except CRD is trying to change this... (see friends of Island View Beach for more info). Very flat and easy. If turn left at the sign and follow it past the campground there is a second parking lot. (mostly dog walkers). Park here and take the trail (not the beach one on the right) This trail is a nice walk and if you stay straight it will eventually end up at the beach. Easy walking and there is a garbage at the beach access there to drop off any poop you might be carrying. (Dog waste bags not available at the park so bring your own.)
Once at the beach you can walk further down, however this is Native land and there is a warning sign telling you not to trespass so use the beach.
At low tide there are big sand bars to walk on, but check the tides you don't want to get stuck out there when tides start to come in.
Here is a quick peek at the beach with Roxy and her friend Tess.