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Thetis Lake Hills
Park: Thetis Lake Regional Park
Terrain: Moderately smooth
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Elevations (in meters) |
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| Start | End | Minimum | Maximum | Gain |
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| 60 | 60 | 60 | 131 | 71 |
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Thetis Lake Trailhead: (9 km from Saanich Hall). From Saanich Hall take the exit near the police station, cross Vernon Ave to the south bound lanes. Get quickly into the right hand lane and turn left at Ravine Way (.5km). Turn left of Carey and then right onto the Trans Canada Highway (.8km). Drive through the intersection with McKenzie Ave (2.9km) to exit 10 (the Colwood exit 5.7km) and turn right at Six Mile Road (the first light after going under the highway, 7.4km).
When approaching from the north take exit 11 and turn left at the T junction.
Note: A $2 parking fee is charged from May through (September?).
(A $2 parking fee is charged.)
Facilities available at the trailhead include:
- Picnic tables
- Shelter is available
- Toilets and/or outhouses
Uses
| Dayhike | 2 boot (easy to moderate). | 1.5 hours for the loop. | Suitable all year. |
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Description
From the kiosk at the end of the parking lot take the trail to the right. You will climb gradually in a forest of Douglas-fir which gives way to a mix of Arbutus, Garry Oak with some Douglas-fir remnants. The trail roller-coasters along with some nice views leading to a junction with the Seymour Hill Trail. Turn right on this trail and head up to the summit. Make sure you look for the viewpoint over the lake.
To descend, with your back to the lake take a left turn at the kiosk. Descend with care as the trail is steep in places. Once at the base keep to the left and complete the loop around Lower Thetis Lake.
To extend the hike turn right at the base, this provides an option to circle both Lower and Upper Thetis Lakes making for a 2 1/2 to 3 hour hike.
Features
This trail features flowers, forests (Arbutuus, Douglas fir and Garry oak), lakes and swimming.
View trail condition reports for this trail.