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Vancouver Island :: Victoria :: Thetis Lake

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Thetis SkyCloud Pattern above largest Thetis Lake, BC Regional Park established as Canada's first nature sanctuary in 1958

Fabulous Skies over lower Thetis Lake from South Beach

Multiple Dates, last October 22, 2021

There are several lakes in Victoria vicinity but Thetis is probably nicest. It is the Regional Park and one of most visited. No wonder - there are two lakes (lower and upper), network of hiking/walking/running trails, couple of beaches and in summer I've seen divers too.  Take exit 10 coming from downtown Vic, then Island Highway and right onto Six Mile Road to Park Entrance (first gallery photo) and Main Parking which is free after Oct 1, but paid in summer season. There are also several smaller roads through the park where people sometime leave their cars.

This page presents most frequently done loop around both lakes in CCW direction, starting and ending at South Beach, including side trip up Seymour Hill - highest point in the park, rising on right (east) side of lower lake.  Follow lower lake trail just for a short bit, then diverge right and up.  Trail is bit steep but this is the only real elevation gain for entire hike.  Soon it tops on open rocky bluffs ~100m above the lake with great views of wider Victoria region.  On the other side trail descends over some Rocky outcrops (hands needed in one or two spots if slippery after rain), then loops back to lower Lake trail.  Reaching junction lower lake trail turns left and loops back to South beach; follow right side trail for upper lake.  Pleasant walk across several small forested raises and openings with views of wetland ensues.  Eventually past several marked junctions trail reach junction lower lake junction near smaller west beach and continues back to south beach.  Side trails lead to small peninsulas overlooking lower lake and are well worth short extension.

Gallery