Charlie's Trail walk (at Royal Roads University)

Every year, our group goes to the grounds of Royal Roads University to walk Charlie's Trail. Not only is it a great trail, but it's also the favourite trail of Tidbit and I.

Charlie's Trail changes with the seasons. Fall is wonderful, but in my opinion, spring is the best. The trail is shady and beautiful, with lovely ferns and thick tall cedars. It's wide in places, and narrow in others. At this time of year, the stream will be bubbling and babbling, and it's easily accessible. The waterfalls will be splashing, and the birds will be singing.

The trail runs from the Galloping Goose at the upper end, and goes downhill all the way to the edge of Esquimalt Lagoon. It's a rolling trail with a difference in elevation of about 130 feet from top to bottom. We'll take the trail at a gentle pace so you can stop to take pictures as we go.
Please note: there are steps to negotiate, and roots and rocks. Those who are looking for a flat, easy walk had best skip this walk and sign up for another. The dogs will do fine on this walk.

At any time of the year, there's nearly always a couple of muddy patches on this trail, although when I walked the trail recently, there wasn't much mud and I noticed some new wooden walkways. Sometimes you'll do fine just wearing runners. It's up to you if you want to wear a pair of light boots.

Unfortunately, last July RRU handed over campus parking to Robbins Parking. They immediately implemented 24/7 paid parking for every square inch of the campus. Rats! So our lovely free parking zone at the foot of the trail is no more. Instead, we'll meet at a new parking area (free!) at the corner of Aldeane Avenue and Sooke Road. Instead of turning off Sooke Road and on to University Drive, as we used to, now you'll turn off Sooke Road and on to Aldeane Avenue. It's the same intersection, just in the opposite direction. (See my map attached.)

I can't give you an address for your GPS. On Google Maps, our meeting place just shows at "Aldeane Ave Parking Lot at Galloping Goose Trail". The parking lot itself only holds about 15 cars, but there's lots of parking all the way down both sides of Aldeane Avenue.

Look for my Victoria Small Dog Walk and Play Group signs.

Pictures are attached.