Rolston Trail in Victoria, BC: Let's Go For a Walk

Welcome to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Victoria sits on the west coast of Canada on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. The city has mild temperatures year round and is known for its beautiful flowers and ocean views as sits close to the Pacific Ocean. Victoria is also the capital city of BC.

Today we journey to the Rolston Trail, located in the District of Saanich. Saanich is a municipality which is part of Greater Victoria.

The trail has is part of a pilot project of Saanich Parks to designate the trail as pedestrian only. No bikes are currently allowed on the trail, as part of the project, perhaps due to etiquette problems with walkers. The pilot project runs until June 30, 2012, at which point a final decision will be made.

Put on your runners and come join me on the walk. Don't worry, there aren't any big hills!

The trail runs from Shadywood Drive to Emily Carr Drive, and from Emily Carr Drive to Royal Oak Drive. The trail also extends into the Rithet's Bog Conservation Area.

Our walk today takes about thirty minutes at a brisk walk. The symbol on the pole up ahead indicates a walking stick but you won't need that today my friend.

The sun is shining and, as we walk, the dirt/stone surface of the trail crunches under our runners.

Along with the crunch of our steps we hear birds singing amongst the trees around us. I do not see the birds; they must be nestled among the branches. You can keep looking around, but I do not know if you will see any of the birds. Besides, you really should watch where you are going so that you don't run into anything and hurt yourself!

As we walk along the Rolston Trail, there are trees along both sides of us. There are Gary Oaks and Douglas Firs. Douglas Firs tower over many parts of Vancouver Island, throughout parks like Mount Douglas Park and alongside roads. The trees add a countryside feel to the walk today. Doulgas Firs are tall evergreens that extend upwards of 200 feet!

The trunks rise high into the air and are anchored by shrubs of bright green. Ah look, a large group of ferns at the side of the trail! Let's stop to take a photo.

Now I hear running water. Where is the sound coming from? To the right of the trail, off a slight bank, is a small stream. There is no sign to give a name to the stream. The water is clear. I am thankful there is no litter to tarnish the wonderful sight. I don't see any fish, but I do still hear the birds up in the treetops.

Continuing on our walk (we do have to get exercise, you know), we come across a bench alongside a small park. No children are playing here, yet. We think about stopping to try out the swings but instead decide we best be continuing the walk. We have to be home for dinner time!

Now we're moving along the trail. How nice, a series of chain-linked poles to guide us along. The fencing helps separate the trail from the nature around us to ensure our path is kept wide enough to walk comfortably. The path is well taken care of and ready for more walkers to join us! Up ahead, oh wow what a gorgeous sight! I see a large pond with houses that extend out onto the water, built on stilts.

Nature is so beautiful here for us today! What a fun walk around Greater Victoria this has been today. I say we head home now; I am feeling hungry after all of the walking we did today. What do you want for dinner? Ah, let's discuss the food options while we walk back home from here!