Mount Wells is a remote wilderness park located only half an hour west of Victoria on the edge of an immense protected area of green space. Highlights of the 123-hectare park include a colourful display of spring wildflowers, the hike to the summit of Mount Wells (352 metres), and spectacular views of Juan de Fuca Strait, Victoria, the Sooke Hills and the Sea to Sea Green Blue Belt.
Hikers can follow the trail to the summit for sweeping views of Juan de Fuca Strait, Victoria and the Sooke Hills. The trail climbs through Douglas-fir forest and sensitive Garry oak ecosystems to open rocky hilltops dotted with arbutus trees, hairy manzanita and a mosaic of lush mosses. The trail is steep and challenging, especially in wet weather, and is suitable for fit hikers.
In the spring, native wildflowers such as camas, shooting star and satinflower carpet the slopes. Mount Wells is the only place in Canada where the endangered Prairie lupine grows. Please stay on the trail and keep pets on the trail to protect this fragile habitat. Even if wildflowers are not visible, walking off trail can damage bulbs that lie dormant under thin soils.
On your journey to the summit, you may see turkey vultures and band-tailed pigeons, or hear the drumming of ruffed grouse. The park is also an important wildlife refuge for animals such as black-tailed deer, red squirrels and alligator lizards, who sun themselves on exposed rocky outcrops.
Mount Wells is the gateway to Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park Reserve, the largest park area in the region at 4,124 hectares. Both parks provide a buffer to the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area and help protect the region’s supply of drinking water. The Humpback Reservoir at the base of Mount Wells was once part of the water supply system for Victoria residents. You will cross an old flow line near the beginning of the Summit Trail.
Mount Wells Regional Park and Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park Reserve are part of the Sea to Sea Green Blue Belt, a 1,390-hectare corridor of protected green space linking Saanich Inlet in the east to Juan de Fuca Strait in the west. The Sea to Sea Green Blue Belt separates the developed urban area of the Capital Region from tracts of forest land to the west.
To protect the park’s fragile ecosystems, visitors are requested to please stay on designated trails, follow trail markers in open areas, keep pets on the trail and under control, pick up your dog’s droppings, and carry out any litter brought in.
Mount Wells Regional Park is located in Langford, a 30-minute drive west of Victoria. Follow the Trans-Canada Highway from Victoria, and turn left on Sooke Lake Road. Turn left on Humpback Road. At the intersection with Irwin Road, stay right. Follow Humpback Road to the park entrance on the right.
Take BC Transit #50 from Victoria to the Langford Exchange. Transfer to #58 to Sooke Lake Road at Humpback Road. The park is approximately a 1.5-kilometre walk from the bus stop. Contact BC Transit for schedule information.
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