Victoria's Inner Harbour
The British Columbia parliament buildings dominate one end of the Inner Harbour and you are free to wander much of this astonishingly old and ridiculously extravagant building. The beautiful Empress Hotel sits across from the Inner Harbour as well and along with being a luxury hotel, it is a free museum of sorts on its lower level. You can wander through the lower hallways that take you back over a century as you look at artifacts and hotel menus from the 1800's.
Just a five minute walk from the Captain Cook statue past the Empress is the wonderful Royal BC Museum. This amazing museum houses a seemingly endless array of local history ranging from thousands of years ago to recent decades. No where else in the world will you find such a breathtaking collection of totem poles. The causeway continues in both directions. If you walk to the left (in the direction of the Parliament Buildings) and follow the waterfront you will connect to a beautiful trail that skirts the Inner Harbour for quite some distance. After about 30 minutes you will arrive at Fisherman's Wharf. This cute little marina is a world of its own with its permanent residents living in floating houses in Float Home Village. There are some great places From Fisherman's Wharf you can continue walking along the waterfront for several more kilometres if you want. The next sight further along is the Ogden Point Breakwater. A giant cement walkway that takes you straight out into the crashing ocean all around. Along the way seeing fishermen casting off from the walkway as well as scuba divers just a few metres away in this popular Victoria diving location. This is also the beginning of the beautiful Ocean Drive and Beacon Hill Park. From here you could literally walk for hours along the beach and breakwater, through fields of flowers, up to hilltop viewpoints and circle back to the Inner Harbour. Again, not really a hike, but a wonderfully long walk in this beautiful city. Directions to Victoria's Inner Harbour
Victoria's Inner Harbour is the centre of tourism in Victoria and therefore all roads lead to it. Easy to find and plenty of parking options. Street parking at metres is good for an hour or two and plenty of parkades to choose from for fairly cheap.
Victoria Area Hiking Trails
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