Mill Hill Regional Park covers 50 hectares of forest adjacent to Thetis Lake Regional Park, 15 minutes northwest of Victoria. From April through July, the park is ablaze with delicate wildflowers, boasting showy displays of common camas, white fawn lilies, tiger lilies and calypso orchids.
Mill Hill used to function as a forestry watch tower, the concrete foundation of which still remains on the hill summit.
Beginning at the parking lot, a 30-minute trek along the Calypso Trail winds through the old forest of Douglas-fir, cedars and grand firs to the Summit Trail, which takes you to the summit of Mill Hill, elevation 200 metres.
From here there are spectacular views of Victoria, Esquimalt Harbour and the Sooke Hills. On a clear day the Olympic Mountains across the Strait of Juan de Fuca beckon from Washington state in the US.
For more adventurous hikers, a trail winds down the eastern side of Mill Hill and connects with a trail to Thetis Lake Regional Park on the other side of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Facilities in the park are restricted to picnic tables and toilets. Camping is not permitted.
Follow the Trans-Canada Highway from Victoria, and take Exit 14 south to Langford. From Veterans Memorial Parkway, turn left on Hoffman Avenue. Turn right on Winster Road at the four-way intersection. Turn left on Atkins Avenue. Follow Atkins Avenue for one kilometre to the park entrance on the left. Allow approximately 25 minutes driving time from Victoria.
Public Transportation
Take BC Transit bus #50 to the Western Exchange, then transfer to #53. There is a bus stop near the park entrance. Contact BC Transit for schedule information.
Nearby Regions & Towns
Park Notices
