Mount Finlayson Trail Hike

he trail is popular, remote traffic noise all trail long, no shade in exposed rock area closer to the top. Uneven ground, rocks and roots, loose stones, several steep sections. Hiking poles and boots are highly recommended.

Vancouver Island, Victoria & Gulf Islands Backroad Mapbook (9th edition) Trailhead Coordinates: Page 4 (Sooke) E3.

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Mount Finlayson Trail is located on Vancouver Island in Goldstream Provincial Park by Langford, BC, about 15 minutes of driving West of Victoria. This trail has several trailheads, and we started from the one located by the main parking lot of Goldstream Provincial Park, about 200 meters down Finlayson Arm Road after turning from Highway 1. From here, it's just over 2 km to the summit of Mount Finlayson.

The trail first goes for about 1.3 km through a forest with not much to see, but then emerges onto a mostly exposed rocky area with fine views of Langford, a bunch of hills, and remote mountains, including Mount Baker in Washington state. You can also (kind of) see golfers doing their thing at the Bear Mountain Golf Club far below.

Upon reaching the summit, which has rather obstructed views compared to the trail before that, it is possible to proceed further and hike a loop trail via Finlayson Arm Road. Another trailhead is located on Country Club Way, and it connects with our trail (which starts in Goldstream Provincial Park) right where the forest ends and the exposed rock begins.

*All trail distances are based on a GPS odometer and are approximate.

1. Here is a Google Maps location of Mount Finlayson trailhead in Goldstream Provincial Park.

2. And here is the turnoff from Highway 1 onto Finlayson Arm Road in Langford, BC, just West of Victoria.

3. After the turn, Finlayson Arm Road is straight ahead. A small parking lot is on the right side, and larger parking lots are to the left (but beware of gate closing times for larger parking lots).

Here is our video of driving on Highway 1 to Goldstream Provincial Park.

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4. Proceeding down Finlayson Arm Road. About 110 meters from Highway 1.

5. Another 100 meters, and Mount Finlayson trailhead is on the right side. Proceeding further on Finlayson Arm Road would lead to another trailhead, the one you would end up at if you would proceed further upon reaching the summit, as opposed to coming back the same way you came.

6. Here is a map posted at the info board seen in the photo above. The red square indicates our current location, and the yellow square is the summit. The distance is just over two kilometers.

7. Just 30 meters into the hike, Prospectors Trail appears on the right side. Keep left.

8. Mount Finlayson Trail at 250 meters from the trailhead.

9. At 390 meters, a connecting trail to Prospectors Trail appears on the right. Keep left.

10. At 440 meters of Mount Finlayson Trail in Goldstream Provincial Park.

11. 170 meters later.

12-13. At 715 meters, Mount Finlayson Trail gets rather rough, though not terribly complicated.

14. Something like that. At 1.09 km here.

15. At the 1.14 km mark of Mount Finlayson Trail.

16. At 1.32 km, the forest ends, and the exposed rock begins. This is also we meet a trail which stars from Country Club Way.

17. Looking back, we can see the intersection very well. It's about 700 meters to Mount Finlayson summit from here. Coordinates: N 48⁰28.796' W 123⁰32.261'. Elevation: 245 meters.

18. After emerging from the forest, the trail gets to be even more complicated (if not by much), but also the views start appearing in earnest. This is right after the intersection.

19. Zooming in, we see Mount Baker in Washington state.

20. At 1.60 km, a view of Langford below.

21. Looking left at 1.65 km. Bear Mountain Golf Club can be seen in the middle-right.

22-23. Here it is with much zoom.

24. Looking right from the same location.

25. Now at 1.71 km of Mount Finlayson Trail in Langford, BC.

26. 30 meters later.

27-30. At 1.76 km, arguably the best view of the hike. Left to right followed by a panorama.

Here is our video of the views from Mount Finlayson.

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31. At 1.80 km from the trailhead. Approaching the summit.

32. Looking back.

33. At 2.02 km, we are almost there, with the Mount Finlayson summit marker seen straight ahead.

Mount Finlayson Trail is fairly short, not overly complicated, and has fine views. Recommended.

    

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ihikebc.com Trip 310 - Mount Finlayson Trail Hike (Goldstream Provincial Park near Victoria, BC)