Devonian Park
This great – tho small – park is about a 40-minute drive from Victoria and well worth it!
Features include a gentle walking trail through mixed woodland and along a winding creek, cobble beach (no sand!) for picnicking and exploration, bird watching at Sherwood Pond (although the pond is getting quite overgrown lately!), spectacular views of Juan de Fuca Strait, Race Rocks, The Olympic Mountains and Victoria off in the distance. Click HERE for a map of the park. It will take you approximately 15 minutes +/- to walk the 1km from the large parking lot to the beach. It is a moderate walk – not wheelchair accessable and some clambering over rocks as well as a couple of stairways.
Things to Do
Follow the trails and Sherwood Creek through Douglas-fir and broadleaf maple forests. At one spot you’ll cross the creek and (if it’s in the ‘rainy season’) see a lovely small waterfall.
Picnic at the cobble beach — you might see river otters, harbour seals or even a pod of orcas. On a clear day you can see Victoria, with Mount Baker rising in the background.
There are lots of logs to sit on … or plan to take either blankets/folding chairs. Beachcombing is great with lots of washed up ocean ‘stuff’ for the kids to comb through. If you like rocks … you’ll be in 7th heaven!
This isn’t a super well known/popular place, so often you’ll have it all to yourself. Great to listen to the sound the waves make as they roll off the rocks. Very soothing!
If you’re on horseback, enjoy the equestrian trail with its view over neighbouring meadows.
- Restrooms (at start of trail)
- Picnic Area (at start of trail)
How to Get There
Follow the Trans-Canada Highway from Victoria, and take the Colwood exit. Follow the Old Island Highway, which turns into Sooke Road. From Sooke Road, turn left on Metchosin Road, which turns into William Head Road at the Happy Valley Road junction. Follow William Head Road to the park entrance on the left. Allow approximately 30 – 40 minutes driving time from Victoria.
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