Salt Spring Inn, Salt Spring Island
This tasteful Inn is situated in the heart of Ganges. With seaviews and fireplaces this 7- room accommodation offers a comfortable stay on Salt Spring Island.
Get away from it all! Journey to a place where lush forests meet the deep blue sea. Sail away to the beauty and tranquility of western Canada’s Gulf Islands. Explore four unique islands as you hop from one to the other. Follow peaceful trails and old logging roads to unspoiled coves, where seals and orcas gambol and seabirds wheel overhead. Slow down and relax as you experience the natural wonders that these coastal enclaves have to offer. Your days will be filled with experiences you’ll treasure forever.
Gulf Islands Hiking 7 Days
Salt Spring Island
Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada
Day 1+2
Galiano Island
Galiano Island, Southern Gulf Islands, BC, Canada
Day 3+4
South Pender, Saturna
South Pender Island, Southern Gulf Islands, BC, Canada
Day 5
Saturna Island
Saturna Island, Southern Gulf Islands, BC, Canada
Day 5+6
Trip Inclusions
What’s Included
- 6 nights hotels
- All breakfasts and 1 dinner
- Luggage transfers (we enlist your help getting the luggage onto and off the ferry)
- Comprehensive Tour Details with detailed pre-trip information
- GPS routes and maps
- Orientation with our Area Manager
- Area Manager available on call throughout the tour
- Access to Loyalty Program and other exclusive benefits
- Private water taxi to South Pender Island and Saturna Island
What's Not Included
- Ferry fares to Salt Spring Island and Galiano Island*
- *Ferry from Salt Spring to Galiano can sometimes be very early or late in the day. If you prefer a private water taxi, the cost is approximately CAD $250
Particulars
Departure Dates
| Start any date between Apr 1 and Oct 31. |
|---|
| Custom trips are also available and can start any date, call or email for details. |
Total Days
7 days / 6 nights
Arrive/Depart
Salt Spring Island / Victoria
Activity Level
Moderate
3 to 7 hours hiking daily
Terrain
This is a hilly region with climbs each day
Cost
Casual Accommodation: CAD $2,050
Single Supplement: CAD $520
Classic Accommodation: CAD $2,450
Single Supplement: CAD $620
Luxe Accommodation: CAD $2,950
Single Supplement: CAD $750
Prices are per person before tax. British Columbia applies a 5% GST.
Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Hotel availabilities may also necessitate alterations. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. If you have any questions before making your reservation, please contact us.
Getting There
Your trip begins on Salt Spring Island, with Day 1 considered your arrival day.
To reach Salt Spring Island (Long Harbour ferry terminal), you can take a BC Ferries sailing from either Swartz Bay (Victoria) or Tsawwassen (Vancouver). Please visit BC Ferries for current schedules and fares.
Victoria International Airport is located north of Victoria, and the Swartz Bay ferry terminal is just a short taxi ride from the airport. Major airlines offer flights to Victoria International from Vancouver, Seattle, and other cities.
If you are travelling from the United States, you may also choose to fly into Seattle and take the high-speed catamaran from downtown Seattle to Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
1
Day 1
Salt Spring Island
Your trip starts at Long Harbour ferry terminal on Salt Spring Island (this is one of three ferry terminals on the island). If you have arrived in time for a hike, there is a hike option up Mt. Erskine.
Distance: 3.8 km; elevation gain: 201 m
2
Day 2
Salt Spring Island
Today’s walk begins with a transfer to Beaver Point Hall, from where you begin your exploration of the southeast corner of Salt Spring Island. You’ll follow well-marked trails to Ruckle Provincial Park, named after the family whose homestead this was in the 19th century. Walk along the shore to King’s Point, with an option to continue to Yeo Point, where you’ll enjoy views of the Channel Islands, home to frolicking marine mammals and a colony of cormorants. Continue along the water’s edge through the Tsawout Band Reserve. Then return to your accommodation.
Distance: 18 km; elevation gain: 280 m or 10 km; elevation gain: 100 m
3
Day 3
Galiano Island
Then take the ferry to Sturdies Bay on the southeast tip of Galiano Island. Named for the Spanish sea captain who explored the surrounding waters in 1792, Galiano Island is home to more than 130 species of birds and a haven for naturalists. Enjoy quiet roads and Douglas fir forests. Walk to Bellhouse Provincial Park, where the wind and the sea have carved and pocked the sandstone rocks of the beach. Watch for the many eagles that glide overhead.
Distance: 4.3 km; elevation gain: 38 m
4
Day 4
Galiano Island
Today’s walk takes you to three great viewpoints. Climb up Mount Galiano where there’s a wonderful view of Active Pass and the southern Gulf Islands. Head into Bluffs Park, where you hike amongst cedars and ferns to the top of the bluff, where there are stunning views of Prevost Island and the south face of Mount Galiano. From Galiano Cemetery you’ll see seals sunning themselves on their private island.
Distance: 16.5 km; elevation gain: 480 m or 14.7 km; elevation gain: 390 m
5
Day 5
South Pender Island & Saturna Island
Hop onto a private water taxi, which will take you to South Pender Island in the morning. Start at the canal that separates the two Pender Islands and climb an old logging road to the edge of Mount Norman Provincial Park. Walk into Beaumont Provincial Marine Park, then up to the summit of Mount Norman, from where you can see part of the U.S. San Juan Islands and the Olympic Range in Washington. As you descend, you might be able to see the Vancouver skyline in the distance. Return to the canal, from where you’ll be transferred to Saturna Island for the night.
Distance: 10 km; elevation gain: 472 m
6
Day 6
Saturna Island
This morning, you’ll be taken to the end of Narvaez Road, where the walk begins. Follow old logging roads and goat trails to the top of Mount Warburton Pike, then descend to the Saturna Winery, in a spectacular setting near the water, and the pebbly beach at Thomson Park. Then head back to your accommodation on Saturna Island.
Distance: 15.7 km; elevation gain: 464 m
7
Day 7
Depart
After breakfast, depart at your leisure.
Casual/B&B
Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa*, Galiano Island
This luxurious oceanfront resort and spa features large guest rooms, each with a breath-taking view, wood burning fireplaces, and a casually elegant décor. The restaurant has been receiving rave reviews for its inspired West Coast cuisine.
*Luxe Accommodation
Saturna Lodge, Saturna Island
This casual island inn boasts views over Boot Cove. The 7-room property includes extensive gardens and there is an outdoor hot tub to relax in after your day of hiking or biking. The restaurant here serves inspired cuisine in a lovely setting.
Classic
Harbour House, Salt Spring Island
This (now) upmarket hotel has recently undergone a major renovation inside and out and has a great location close to town and overlooking Ganges harbour.
Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa*, Galiano Island
This luxurious oceanfront resort and spa features large guest rooms, each with a breath-taking view, wood burning fireplaces, and a casually elegant décor. The restaurant has been receiving rave reviews for its inspired West Coast cuisine.
*Luxe Accommodation
Saturna Lodge, Saturna Island
This casual island inn boasts views over Boot Cove. The 7-room property includes extensive gardens and there is an outdoor hot tub to relax in after your day of hiking or biking. The restaurant here serves inspired cuisine in a lovely setting
Luxe
Hastings House, Saltspring Island
A boutique luxury waterfront lodge, spa and restaurant on 22 acres close to the village of Ganges. It is a magnificent 11th century Sussex-style Manor House overlooking peaceful Ganges harbour. 18 unique guest rooms and suites, each with its own décor and history are situated in seven lovingly maintained buildings around the estate. Relais & Chateaux.
Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa, Galiano Island
This luxurious oceanfront resort and spa features large guest rooms, each with a breath-taking view, wood burning fireplaces, and a casually elegant décor. The restaurant has been receiving rave reviews for its inspired West Coast cuisine.
Saturna Lodge, Saturna Island
This casual island inn boasts views over Boot Cove. The 7-room property includes extensive gardens and there is an outdoor hot tub to relax in after your day of hiking or biking. The restaurant here serves inspired cuisine in a lovely setting.
Tour Reviews
“The B&Bs you have chosen are wonderful in terms of really getting to know the islands and areas.”
“All of our accommodations were great – especially the Lyall Harbour B&B. The food was delicious and the family made us feels very much at home. Everything was great!”
“I wanted you to know that we had the absolutely best time on our trip to the Gulf Islands. Your planning was perfect, the hikes were varied and inspiring, the B&B were all great – the one in Victoria so beautiful and elegant. The islands are beyond gorgeous, and we cannot wait to come back and explore more. Each day got better and by the time we got to Saturna we never wanted to leave! We loved all the accommodations; especially Lyall Harbour. The service provided by Randonnée was excellent. We felt very well taken care of and very efficiently organized. And we knew we had someone available if we needed help at any point. Your Travel Advisor was wonderful. Thank you so much for all your help and support. It was an amazing introduction to a wonderful part of the world, and we will definitely visit again.”
“It felt very unique to have a single taxi driver to help us around on Salt Spring Island and a private water taxi – getting to know the islands through these locals. While all our accommodations were excellent, Saturna Lodge was our favorite. It was like being right at home. Lastly, the hikes were all so beautiful!”
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