Tod Inlet Walk

The time has come, Cynthia! Yes, ask no more, it's time for our annual walk at Tod Inlet!

I'm not sure what makes this such a popular walk. Perhaps it's the gentle slope. Maybe the beautiful scenery. Or the fact that it's easy to get to, and to find parking. Whatever it is, I hope you and your pup will join us.

Tod Inlet is located in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, adjacent to the world-famous Butchart Gardens. As mentioned above, the trail down to the Inlet is wide, well-maintained, and easy to walk.

The Tod Inlet trail makes a gentle descent (1.3 km) through tall cedars, pine, and fir trees. Most of the path is shaded, providing protection from either sun or rain. Hopefully, we'll enjoy patches of sunshine drifting down through the canopy.

We're doing this trail later in the year this time, so the trail will likely be covered with leaves. Once you reach the bottom of the trail, there are benches along the water's edge for relaxing and a small sandy beach. The natural walking surface is typically at least 1 meter wide, often much wider. There are wooden bridges that have railings and great views.

This gentle trail is appropriate for members of all abilities, including those with walkers and strollers.

This is not officially an off-leash trail, although I've seen plenty of dogs off-leash when I've done this trail.

Meet at the Tod Inlet trailhead on Wallace Drive.
6537 Wallace Dr, Brentwood Bay

Driving directions (please read):
There are a number of ways to get here, and if you know where you're going, by all means follow your nose. But for those who need directions, it's probably easiest to just pretend you're going to Butchart Gardens.
Here's the way I do it (travelling from Vic West)...
Take Hwy 17 (Pat Bay Hwy) north out of the city. Take Exit 18 to Keating X-Road, using the new Pat Bay Hwy to Keating X-Road overpass. Take Keating X-Road to the traffic lights at Hwy 17A (West Saanich Rd). You should see a big-ass sign pointing to Butchart Gardens. Go straight through the traffic lights at Keating/Hwy 17A. Keating X-Road is now called Benvenuto Road. Keep going straight. Just before you get to Butchart Gardens, turn left on to Wallace Drive. Drive about 700m on Wallace Drive to the Tod Inlet Trailhead. You should see cars parked along the road. There is no parking lot. Look for my Victoria Small Dog Walk and Play Group signs.