Hiking The Pipeline in Sooke, British Columbia
If you've ever thought about traveling to the West Coast of Vancouver Island, an experience that you most likely won't find in the guide books, but one that shouldn't be missed, is hiking the old water pipeline in Sooke, British Columbia.
Built at the beginning of the 1900s, the pipeline was the main source of water for Victoria until 1970, when the Sooke section was decommissioned.
The pipeline is made out concrete segments 1.
07 meters in diameter.
It spans a total of 44 kilometers, although not all sections are good for walking on.
Walking along the pipeline is a unique experience.
There are sections when it traverses steep cliffs and even crosses rivers and creeks on trestles.
It is both exhilarating and peaceful, as you rarely see anyone else on the pipeline.
There are several points of access, but I recommend using the access trail at the Sooke Potholes Parking Lot.
If you park your vehicle in Lot #2 (note: there is a parking fee of $3.
00 in the summer months), the trail is immediately in front of you, veering off to the right of the Galloping Goose regional trail.
The trail is fairly easy going.
I have taken my nephews of 7 and 5 up there without much difficulty.
However, there are a couple steep sections and you should be in fairly good shape if you are going to attempt this access trail.
It is best to hike the pipeline in fair weather, as both the trail and the pipeline itself can be slippery when wet.
Once you get up to the pipeline, there is a small wooden ladder that helps you get up on it.
Then you can choose to either head left or right and walk to your heart's content.
Because the pipeline is fairly wide, keeping your balance is not very difficult.
However, if you bring dogs with you, be careful when they pass you while on the pipeline, as they tend to do that at high speed and can knock your balance off.
Contrary to what you might think, walking on sections where moss has overgrown the pipeline actually make it less slippery.
So feel free to take the road less traveled.
Taking children across the aqueducts (where the pipeline crosses water on a trestle) is not recommended.
The cantilevered gangway that hangs on the side is beginning to show its age and may no longer be safe.
You can choose to get off the pipeline at crossings and hike down to the water and cross that way, or simply turn around and head back in the other direction.
Just walking along the pipeline is fun and will create fond memories for you and your family.
Make a mental note of where you got onto the pipeline so you don't over shoot the trail on your way back.
The little ladder is a good landmark to make a note of.
So if you happen to be on the West Coast of Vancouver Island on a sunny day, take the family for a neat little hike and walk the pipeline.
It's an experience not to be missed.
Built at the beginning of the 1900s, the pipeline was the main source of water for Victoria until 1970, when the Sooke section was decommissioned.
The pipeline is made out concrete segments 1.
07 meters in diameter.
It spans a total of 44 kilometers, although not all sections are good for walking on.
Walking along the pipeline is a unique experience.
There are sections when it traverses steep cliffs and even crosses rivers and creeks on trestles.
It is both exhilarating and peaceful, as you rarely see anyone else on the pipeline.
There are several points of access, but I recommend using the access trail at the Sooke Potholes Parking Lot.
If you park your vehicle in Lot #2 (note: there is a parking fee of $3.
00 in the summer months), the trail is immediately in front of you, veering off to the right of the Galloping Goose regional trail.
The trail is fairly easy going.
I have taken my nephews of 7 and 5 up there without much difficulty.
However, there are a couple steep sections and you should be in fairly good shape if you are going to attempt this access trail.
It is best to hike the pipeline in fair weather, as both the trail and the pipeline itself can be slippery when wet.
Once you get up to the pipeline, there is a small wooden ladder that helps you get up on it.
Then you can choose to either head left or right and walk to your heart's content.
Because the pipeline is fairly wide, keeping your balance is not very difficult.
However, if you bring dogs with you, be careful when they pass you while on the pipeline, as they tend to do that at high speed and can knock your balance off.
Contrary to what you might think, walking on sections where moss has overgrown the pipeline actually make it less slippery.
So feel free to take the road less traveled.
Taking children across the aqueducts (where the pipeline crosses water on a trestle) is not recommended.
The cantilevered gangway that hangs on the side is beginning to show its age and may no longer be safe.
You can choose to get off the pipeline at crossings and hike down to the water and cross that way, or simply turn around and head back in the other direction.
Just walking along the pipeline is fun and will create fond memories for you and your family.
Make a mental note of where you got onto the pipeline so you don't over shoot the trail on your way back.
The little ladder is a good landmark to make a note of.
So if you happen to be on the West Coast of Vancouver Island on a sunny day, take the family for a neat little hike and walk the pipeline.
It's an experience not to be missed.
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