Adventure & Outdoors
A flat, shaded 2.6 km through big cedar to a sheltered saltwater lagoon with benches right at the water, behind Butchart Gardens.
Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, Wallace Drive entrance
More infoTod Inlet is the rare trail that asks almost nothing and gives back a lot. From a gate on Wallace Drive it drops gently for about a kilometre through tall cedar and fir, then opens onto a warm, sheltered arm of Saanich Inlet with a small sand beach, a jetty and benches at the waterline. It is rated 4.5 on AllTrails from more than 850 reviewers, and the reason is obvious once you sit down: this is somewhere to stay for an hour, not somewhere to conquer. Old cement-works ruins are scattered through the woods, which is either atmospheric or cluttered depending on temperament. Spring brings trilliums and fawn lilies, and after winter rain a set of small waterfalls runs beside the path.
Park on the gravel shoulder of Wallace Drive at the metal gate between Garden Gate Drive and Benvenuto Avenue. It is easy to drive straight past, so look for the line of parked cars rather than a sign. The trail runs about 1.3 km downhill to the inlet, gently enough for almost anyone, and takes roughly 20 minutes each way. At the bottom there is a small sand beach, a jetty and benches, plus pit toilets. Bring something to sit on and treat the walk as the commute rather than the point. Note the return is the same path, uphill, so keep a little in reserve. Dogs are welcome on leash but not on the sand at the dinghy dock.
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