The South Island Sundowner

The South Island Sundowner Bikepacking Route

The Sundowner is a 148 km bikepacking route that connects the best, publicly accessible double track, single track, fire roads, and rail trail in the Greater Victoria Area. With over 70% off-pavement, it can be ridden as an ambitious - sundowning overnighter - or in two nights at a more reasonable pace. The route offers a highlight of the beauty of the region, passing through lush rainforest, along the pacific ocean, and by several lakes and rivers which provide ample opportunities for swimming. It also passes by four mountain bike areas in the region which allows riders to further explore as they desire.

“Sundowning:
A state of confusion that occurs in the late afternoon and lasts into the night”

Route Map

Disclaimer: Although this route has been appropriately researched and ridden we cannot ensure its accuracy and you are best to supplement it with your own research. The Vancouver Island Bikepack Collective Society, its partners, and affiliates accept no responsibility for any personal injuries, property damage, or other issues that may occur while cycling or following this route.

Trail Update: As of August 15th, 2024 the Galloping Goose Trail north of the Sooke Potholes Parking Lot #2 around marker ~51 km is closed due to the Old Man Lake Wildfire. The Sooke Potholes Campground is also closed and trail users are to head south towards Sooke.

Route Info

The Sundowner passess on the traditional and unceeded territories of the Songhees, Esquimalt, T’Sou-ke and Scia’new Nations. Please be respectful of the land and leave no trace. Should you choose to use this route, do so at your own risk and make sure to check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. Please ensure you obey all land use restrictions, including refraining from wild camping, and carry proper safety and navigational equipment, such as bear spray.

Using Bikepacking Roots' rating scale, the Sundowner is rated as:
- Physical difficulty (6/10): Rugged terrain with frequent climbs, some of which may be steep and unrelenting.
- Technical difficulty (6.5/10): Continuous sections of track may be rocky, loose, and steep; (e.g., 4×4 roads or singletrack in rugged/rocky terrain) suitable for riders with intermediate off-road experience. Occasional narrow trail with regular obstacles, sustained steep grades.
- The Sundowner is best experienced between April and mid October as there is more daylight/ less rain and there are more camping options.
- There are a few stream crossings in the Sea to Sea Regional Park which are much more difficult to navigate in the winter.
- The route can be completed as an overnighter (camping in Goldstream) or as a two-nighter (camping first near Sooke and then at Goldstream).
- The route offers riders the opportunity to further explore many of the adjacent mountain trails (especially if done in three days).
- Riders will be able to pack relatively light due to many resupply options which will help with the one mandatory section of hike-a-bike in the Sea to Sea Regional Park.
- 71% off road including ~10km of single track
- Best experienced on a hardtail but can be ridden on a rigid bike
- 50mm or wider tires recommended
- There are several opportunities for food resupplies at stores and restaurants (our favourites are noted in the GPX file).
- Water is plentiful along the route including several fountains which operate March through September.
- All campsites have running water.
- Wild camping is not permitted anywhere along the route.
- There are three camping options near Sooke, the most ideal being the Sooke Potholes (open mid May to mid Sept, four hiker bikers sites on first come first serve basis). The other two options are private campgrounds closer to Sooke.
- Goldstream Provincial Park is open year round however a reservation is recommended.
- Hatley Castle - a national historic site featured in several films, such as X-Men and Deadpool, and adjacent to a migratory bird sanctuary.
- Leechtown - a ghost town and former gold mining colony.
- Deer Trail Resort - a crumbling cliffside ruin hidden in the woods.
- Sooke Potholes - unique geological formations - deep pools in the river rock - that offer some of the best freshwater swimming in the region.