Shawnigan Lake and Area
Sightseeing
The Skywalk gets you into nature with a spectacular view of the inlet. It's accessible to all ages and abilities.
This is only about a 15-minute drive from our place. I have yet to go, but our neighbours love the slide.
108 locals recommend
Malahat SkyWalk
901 Trans-Canada HwyThis is only about a 15-minute drive from our place. I have yet to go, but our neighbours love the slide.
The Great Outdoors
Cobble Hill Mountain Regional Recreation Area is a popular destination for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The Recreation Area is made up of 26 kilometers of signed trails ranging in difficulty from easy, technical single-track to double-track mountain bike trails. These trails lead through a variety of forest ecosystems and feature several viewpoints that collectively offer a 360-degree view of the surrounding area.
46 locals recommend
Cobble Hill Mountain Regional Recreation Area
Cobble Hill Mountain Regional Recreation Area is a popular destination for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The Recreation Area is made up of 26 kilometers of signed trails ranging in difficulty from easy, technical single-track to double-track mountain bike trails. These trails lead through a variety of forest ecosystems and feature several viewpoints that collectively offer a 360-degree view of the surrounding area.
This repurposed rail bed is now a beautiful walking, biking, and horseback riding trail. It is easy to moderate if you stay on the railbed, and all you need are runners. If you want to take a walk/hike along the river, bring your boots it can be muddy around the roots.
168 locals recommend
Kinsol Trestle
2869 Glen Eagles RdThis repurposed rail bed is now a beautiful walking, biking, and horseback riding trail. It is easy to moderate if you stay on the railbed, and all you need are runners. If you want to take a walk/hike along the river, bring your boots it can be muddy around the roots.
Looking for a great activity for a date with some horses? Book a trail ride at Alpine Stables, they have access to amazing trails for all riding levels. You might even run into me when I am tacking up my leased horse for my lesson.
https://www.alpinestable.com/
9 locals recommend
Alpine Stables
3700 Holland AveLooking for a great activity for a date with some horses? Book a trail ride at Alpine Stables, they have access to amazing trails for all riding levels. You might even run into me when I am tacking up my leased horse for my lesson.
https://www.alpinestable.com/
Looking for another horse experience? Check out the Maple Heart Ranch. They are a little closer to us, but you will definitely need a vehicle with decent clearance or be good at driving a logging road to get to their location. I recommend booking ahead.
http://mapleheartranch.com/Trail_Rides.html
Maple Heart Ranch - Homestead
1890 Sooke Lake RdLooking for another horse experience? Check out the Maple Heart Ranch. They are a little closer to us, but you will definitely need a vehicle with decent clearance or be good at driving a logging road to get to their location. I recommend booking ahead.
http://mapleheartranch.com/Trail_Rides.html
This is a fantastic and challenging 30min-1h hike up depending on your experience. I recommend hiking boots, but runners will do. I do warn you it's vertical most of the way up, but it's so worth the view at the top.
Old Baldy Mtn Trailhead
2351 Strathcona Heights RoadThis is a fantastic and challenging 30min-1h hike up depending on your experience. I recommend hiking boots, but runners will do. I do warn you it's vertical most of the way up, but it's so worth the view at the top.
Beautiful field, light trails, and beach access to the lake.
27 locals recommend
West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park
West Shawnigan Lake RoadBeautiful field, light trails, and beach access to the lake.
Food scene
Fantastic cider and food. A must-go for lunch or dinner!
105 locals recommend
Merridale Cidery & Distillery
1230 Merridale RdFantastic cider and food. A must-go for lunch or dinner!
Beautiful property and even better wine. Enjoy some tours or reserve a table at their restaurant.
111 locals recommend
Unsworth Vineyards
2915 Cameron Taggart RdBeautiful property and even better wine. Enjoy some tours or reserve a table at their restaurant.
Fantastic food and cocktails. This place has a rotating seasonal menu so every time I go it's always something different. It's a beautiful location for date night and to enjoy the lake view.
47 locals recommend
The Lakehouse at Shawnigan
2460 Renfrew RdFantastic food and cocktails. This place has a rotating seasonal menu so every time I go it's always something different. It's a beautiful location for date night and to enjoy the lake view.
Coffee and chocolate, yes, please! If you're as big into coffee and chocolate as I am, you'll absolutely love this place.
36 locals recommend
Shawnigan House coffee and chocolate
1761 Shawnigan Lake-Mill Bay RdCoffee and chocolate, yes, please! If you're as big into coffee and chocolate as I am, you'll absolutely love this place.
Looking for a night off from cooking? Order in pizza, they deliver to our place, and being as remote as we are, that's a big deal. Plus their pizza is worth the drive if you want to pick it up yourself.
19 locals recommend
Sarpino's Pizzeria
7143 W Saanich RdLooking for a night off from cooking? Order in pizza, they deliver to our place, and being as remote as we are, that's a big deal. Plus their pizza is worth the drive if you want to pick it up yourself.
I've heard their bar is a good scene, but I've only ever ordered for take-out or delivery. Their food is worth the break from cooking. If you get it delivered, make sure to re-heat it so you get to enjoy the meal's full potential.
21 locals recommend
Black Swan Pub & Liquor Store
2890 Shawnigan Lake RdI've heard their bar is a good scene, but I've only ever ordered for take-out or delivery. Their food is worth the break from cooking. If you get it delivered, make sure to re-heat it so you get to enjoy the meal's full potential.
Bridgemans Bistro
740 Handy RdHave a meal on the docks in Mill Bay and enjoy the ocean view.
The Mill Pizza & Grill
260-2720 Mill Bay RoadBru-Go's Coffee
2720 Mill Bay RdRusticana Coffee
803 Deloume Rd