East Sooke Park is spectacular natural reserve just outside of Victoria, BC, close to Sooke, BC. It offers treks through the coastal hills of southern Vancouver Island and along the shores of the Juan de Fuca Strait. It’s a nature-lover’s paradise that shows the beauty of the rainforest and the ruggedness of the Canada’s Pacific coast.
It could take weeks to explore all of the hiking trails in this 3500 acre park, but an easy introduction to the park is along an abandoned mining road. The Pike Road hike is along a wide, well-groomed gravel road that meanders through a thick rainforest and leads to the a secluded cove with expansive waters views with the Olympic Mountains of Washington State. It takes only 25 minutes of slow walking to get to the coastal view-point.
Me & my dog on the Pike Road hike in East Sooke, BC.
This hike is actually a leisurely walk through the forest. The flat trail has very little elevation gain and is gentle for most couples with kids or older hiking companions. During the winter months, there may be a few mud puddles which can be circumvented with good hiking shoes. Runners will be sufficient at other times of the year.
Video – Pike Road Hike in East Sooke Park, BC
As you saunter through the thick rainforest, you’ll be deafened by the numerous bird calls. There are plenty of bird nests in the tall trees near the bog that’s located at the half way mark. I’ve had plenty of high-pitch whistling conversations with the resident avians (and received plenty of odd looks from my fellow hikers).
The trail ends on a pebble beach overlooking Iron Mine Bay, a sheltered cove that’s an oasis for coastal water foul. If you reach this point at low-tide, you can venture out on a rocky outcropping to view the entire Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.
Note: There are clean washroom facilities at both ends of the hike. These come in handy at times!
Video – Iron Mine Bay View-point
For more coastal hiking around Victoria and Sooke, BC visit Comfort Cove Cottage. Plenty of romantic getaways are available at Heavenly Hideaways.
There are plenty of romantic things to do in Sooke and the rest of Vancouver Island.
Everest Base Camp Trek- 16 days
Our Everest base camp trek is a great introductory trek for those travelers who wish to visit Everest base Camp. This trek offers sensational mountain views and an insight into the lives of the Sherpa people. Travelers who have good acclimatization health and have enough experiences over trekking in Himalayas can sign up for this two week trip. After exploring the temples, shrines, bazaars and restaurants of Kathmandu we take an exciting mountain flight to Lukla and trek up the Dudh Kosi Valley, surrounded by the soaring peaks of Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru. It’s a steep ascent to Namche Bazaar, capital of the Kumbu Sherpas, where we are again greeted by spectacular mountain vistas. A rest day here aids acclimatization and there are great optional walks to enjoy the area. We then follow the trail to famous Tengboche, located high on a ridge where a magnificent 360-degree panoramic view awaits you. The views of Everest, the Lhotse-Nuptse, Ama Dablam and Kantega dominate this peaceful and spiritual location – surely one of the most tranquil and inspiring places in this world.
Everyday passing the Buddhist monasteries views of Everest and get closer to the mountain culture. This stunning trek visits both, Everest base camp and Kala Patthar (5550m), a viewpoint recognized as the best vantage point to see Mount Everest which is a premier goal for many adventurous trekkers in the Himalaya. After trekking to base camp and Kalapattar we return at our leisurely pace back to Namche and Lukla for our return Trans Himalayan flight to Kathmandu.
Itinerary Details
Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu, transfer from airport to hotel 1300m
Day 02: At leisure in Kathmandu, preparation for trek
Day 03: Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding 2800m
Day 04: Phakding to Namche Bazaar 3440m
Day 05: Acclimatisation day in Namche 3440m
Day 06: Namche to Tengpoche 3870m
Day 07: Tengpoche to Dingboche 4410m
Day 08: Acclimatisation day in Dingboche 4410m
Day 09: Dingboche to Lobuje 4930m
Day 10: Lobuje to Gorak Shep, side trip to Base Camp (5360m) 5160m
Day 11: Ascent of Kala Pattar (5545m), trek to Pangboche 3860m
Day 12: Pangboche to Namche Bazaar 3440m
Day 13: Namche Bazaar to Lukla 2800m
Day 14: Fly to Kathmandu
Day 15: At leisure in Kathmandu
Day 16: Transfer from hotel to airport, fly home