How to Experience Victoria by Bike and on Foot
Victoria is incredibly bikeable and walkable – just ask the many locals who opt for two wheels instead of four. With so many attractions and amenities so close together, it only makes sense to park the car, and put on your walking shoes or strap on your helmet.
Are you ready to explore like a local? Read on for inspiration!
Cyclists at the BC Parliament Buildings | Photo Credit: Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Victoria On Two Wheels
Victoria is one of the most bike-friendly cities in North America – even deemed THE most bikeable city in Canada in 2020, by Redfin! It’s a great, bike-lane equipped destination to grab wheels and head out!
With special signals and bike-only paths, it’s fast, easy and safe to navigate your way through downtown. With the weather becoming increasingly sunnier, it’s the perfect time to start preparing for National Bike to Work Day (May 19th) and GoByBike Week (May 29th – June 4th).
Beacon Hill Park is a beautiful place to ride and take in Victoria’s great sights. Photo Credit: Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Bike Tour Operators
Victoria also has several incredible bike tour operators that can take the fear out of riding for beginners. Check out the Pedaler Cycling Tours and Rentals. Aside from rentals, the Pedaler offers many themed guided bike tours – we adore their Hoppy Hour Tour, which leads you to Victoria’s best craft beer spots for tastings!
North 48 Bicycles offers out-of-city guided bike tours ranging from Easy to Epic. Head out with a small group through the rolling farmlands of the Saanich Peninsula, or down the pleasantly-paved Galloping Goose Trail down to the community of Metchosin. Their longest tour takes you 100km to Sooke, allowing your group to experience the wild, wild west coast – old growth forests, ocean views, and rolling roads are all part of the fun.
Roche Cove Park in Sooke
Specialty Tours
Derailed Adventures was started by cycling enthusiast Tristin, who aims to share his love of bikepacking with the world. You read that right – bikepacking! Take to the trails for a few days out-and-back with a small group and your guide, for an overnight biking experience you will never forget. Nutritious camp dinner, epic views, and awesome company are included.
Seeking a mountain biking experience? Look no further than Oak Bay Bikes. Their mountain bike tours include transportation, a knowledgeable local guide, and some of the best singletrack on Vancouver Island. Discover the scenic rides of Hartland, Bear Mountain, and Jordie Lunn Bike Park in a beginner-friendly, personally-catered ride. If you fall in love with the sport (and you will), Oak Bay Bikes also sells their wide fleet of mountain bikes that you’ve just demo-ed!
Mountain Biking in Hartland | Photo by Deddeda Stemler
Want to explore Victoria’s brewery scene by bike? How about one huge, mega-bike, that holds you and 16 of your closest friends?! Victoria Pedal Tours will take you out to different pubs around the city, with the first round of beers on them. It’s the best party on wheels!
Bike Rentals
Check out the places below for bike shops and rentals:
- CycleBC.ca Rentals (685 Humboldt St) – rentals for those interested in biking, scootering… and even motorcyling!
- Sports Rent (3-1950 Government St) – not just biking rentals, but also winter sports, mountaineering, surfing, camping… you name it!
- Pedego Electric Bikes (701 Belleville St) – the electric bike haven!
- Trek Bicycle Store Victoria (338 Catherine St) – your one-stop-shop for all bike-related things!
Bike-tacular Accomodation
If you’re staying at the Robin Hood Inn & Suites, or the Parkside Hotel & Spa – both offer complimentary bicycles for their guests (Robin Hood Inn also offers e-bikes, and for the truly adventurous… kayaks!).
Robin Hood Inn & Suites has an impressive fleet of bikes and e-bikes available for their guests.
Without further adieu, our biking itinerary:
Bike down Dallas Road for a buttery-smooth path with unbeatable views. Stop in at the Breakwater Cafe & Bistro to relax your legs and soak in the ocean breeze.
Image: Dallas Road
Further down Dallas Road you can make a slight detour around Beacon Hill Park for breathtaking, garden-filled vistas on the way. Keep an eye out for all the unique bird-life!
If you’re looking for more adventure and enjoy a hilly, breathtaking ride, the trip down Dallas Road that leads into Beach Drive is for you, with its countless viewpoints along the way such as McNeill Bay and King George Terrace.
Keep making your way to Oak Bay, and cruise the gentle yet vibrant Oak Bay Avenue. With many stops to choose from, here are a few of our favourites:
There are many more trails to bike in Victoria, like the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. This 55 km journey can take you all the way from Victoria to Sooke. It’s the perfect route to train on for the Tour de Victoria, started by Ryder Hesjedal. This is a mass-participation cycling event riding through Victoria’s world-class cycling routes and breathtaking scenery.
Image: Deddeda Stemler. Selkirk Trestle, Galloping Goose Trail
Victoria On Two Feet
This walking tour is extensive and can be done in one day (for the seasoned walker) or two days for a more leisurely experience.
Downtown and the Inner Harbour has everything at your doorstep, or should we say footstep. Stay in Victoria’s Downtown or the Inner Harbour, and you can begin your adventure right from your hotel – the Fairmont Empress, Inn at Laurel Point, Delta Hotels by Marriott Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort or Hotel Grand Pacific are all well-located options. On your way downtown, you’ll pass the picturesque Parliament Buildings and the must-see Royal BC Museum.
Image: Derek Ford. Fisherman’s Wharf
For the foodies – Off the Eaten Track Tours offers several themed walking tours through downtown’s many neighbourhoods, making stops at iconic Victorian restaurants, pubs, and bakeries for a bite. Stroll down Government Street and stop in at Merchant Quarters General Store to find some unique, and true-to-Victoria goodies. Then, keep heading down the cobble street and stop in for a truly delectable experience at Roger’s Chocolate.
Locals Tip: Don’t forget to try one of Roger’s cream chocolates — one bite will transport you to a chocolaty dreamland!
Stop for a pint at the Bard & Banker or the Irish Times Pub, then make your way through Bastion Square and onto Wharf Street where more dining options await.
Looking for the true Island seafood experience? Check out Nautical Nellies, or keep heading down to the water to local favourite Red Fish Blue Fish. Sit back in the Inner Harbour and watch the Harbour Air Seaplanes make an elegant landing on the water. Taking a Seaplane flight over to Victoria is also a perfect option for those looking to leave behind the car, landing in steps from boutique hotels and major attractions in Victoria’s downtown core.
You can take your feet as far as they will let you – walk over the Johnson Street Bridge and enjoy the beautiful Songhees Walkway. This is also the location of the Songhees Welness Centre, where culture, people, and tradition all come to meet. Explore Songhees departs from here – an Indigenous cultural walking or canoe tour led by members of the Songhees Nation. These meaningful tours shed light on the history of the Songhees peoples, who have thrived on this land since time immemorial. For fabulous views and delicious cocktails along the way, stop at Boom + Batten.
If your feet are starting to give out, Victoria Harbour Ferries has you covered. You can hop on at the dock right by Boom + Batten and tell the friendly captain where you want to head to next. We suggest floating on over to Fisherman’s Wharf to see the vibrant colours of the houseboats. Then just up and over the lawn, the most delicious freshly-caught seafood awaits you at Finest At Sea.
The next destination is a stroll down the Ogden Point Breakwater.
Locals Tip: Feeling adventurous? Take the route off the beaten path via the giant rocks along the water. Watch out for the waves!
From the Breakwater, the walk along Dallas Road is like no other. With the buzz of cyclists, dog walkers, runners, and the unmatched views of the sea and Olympic Mountains across the water in Washington State, you’ll feel energized to continue on to Cook Street.
From the Breakwater, the walk along Dallas Road is like no other. With the buzz of cyclists, dog walkers, runners, and the unmatched views of the sea and Olympic Mountains across the water in Washington State, you’ll feel energized to continue on to Cook Street.
The last stop is Cook Street Village. This vibrant, chestnut-lined village has wonderfully-chic boutiques and lots of eats. Grab a delicious pizza from authentic Pizzeria Prima Strada or make a quick stop at locals’ favourite Big Wheel Burgers; both are great options for a re-fuel with tasty carbs and a delicious drink to pair. Cheers to a great day!
Local Tips: Some great walking tours in the city are through Discovery Walk History Tours or through That Girl in Victoria. As in the name, Discovery Walk History Tours bring Victoria’s history, culture, architecture, and traditions to life! They offer several themed walking tours, including the year-round popular Ghostly Walks telling you about haunted Victoria, and Chinatown Walks for background knowledge on one of our city’s most dazzling neighbourhoods. That Girl in Victoria will charm the shopper, foodie, and hidden-gem seeker all at once. Michele Davis (That Girl!) leads private-group tours or self-guided tours through her app, and adds a delightful amount of personality, humour, and flair into her tours.
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HAPPY EXPLORING, RIDERS AND WALKERS!
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