Sunriver Nature Trail Park is in the seaside community of Sooke, one of thirteen communities that form the Capital Regional District of British Columbia. Bordering on the Sooke River, the eleven hectare Sunriver Nature Trail Park hosts a couple of kilometers of trail through the tall cedar, fir and hemlock forest. Incredibly, a few very old trees can be found among this small second growth forest of the Sooke River valley. This is a popular park for dog walkers, hikers and other who wish to stroll in nature. There are two sections of trails in the park. A short section is accessed before Sunriver Way with a half kilometer long nature trail. The other section has the longer two kilometer riverside trail with great views of the Sooke River. There is a staircase along this pathway. This can be a good place to watch salmon spawning in the autumn. The pathways are gravel and dirt that meander through the trees and near the river. A few sections of boardwalk complete the trail. On the flood plain of the parkland is a large meadow with a big leaf maple tree. Himalayan blackberry bushes and small shrubs are found here. Cedar, fir, hemlock and big leaf maple trees are found in this parkland. The understory includes salal, ocean spray, ferns and mosses. This walk along this park in the Sooke River floodplain is a great place to walk in your back yard.
Geographic location N48º 23’ 37” W123º 42’ 33”
Sunriver Nature Trail Park can be reached from the Trans Canada Highway. Take the Langford Parkway exit and follow along to reach Sooke Road (Hwy 14). Follow Highway 14 to Phillips Road. Turn left onto Phillips Road and look for the parking area for the park once you are across the bridge for DeMamiel Creek. The parking area is near the junction with Sunriver Way and the postal boxes. There is limited parking along Phillips Road near this parkland. City buses travel along Sooke Road and Phillips Road.
Walks in Your Backyard 