Langford

Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) passes through Langford on its way between Victoria and the other cities further north on Vancouver Island. Highway 14 connects with Highway 1 in Langford.

On weekdays, traffic congestion is considerable getting in/out during rush hour. This is an issue in all of Victoria's West shore communities.

Goldstream Ave from Colwood is the other main way into Langford.

The Galloping Goose Regional Trail passes through Langford and is a favourite of cyclists.

• Tofino Bus (Vancouver Island Connector). Service to Tofino, Nanaimo, and Victoria, summer months only. (updated Jan 2023)

Langford is well-connected to Victoria by BC Transit (see Get around below), where more connections are possible.

Getting around on foot is fine for the downtown core but a bicycle or vehicle are better options for the outskirts including shopping at the big box stores.

The city has created marked bike trails along key roads allowing easy travel throughout the city. The Galloping Goose Trail, bike and pedestrian trails along the old railway tracks and along Goldstream Ave connect well the different sections of the city.

City Center Park has bicycle rentals.

• BC Transit (Victoria Regional Transit System), ☏ +1-250-382-6161. Runs a bus network within Victoria, between Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula including Sidney, and between Victoria and cities to the west including Langford and Sooke. (updated Mar 2022)
  • The two main public transport hubs are Langford Exchange at Westshore Town Centre (formerly CanWest Mall), south of Langford's "downtown"; and Western Exchange at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in Colwood.
  • Notable bus routes:
    • 50 - Frequent route between downtown Victoria and Langford. Travel time between Victoria and Langford is 45 to 50 minutes.
    • 61 - During morning and afternoon rush hours from Monday to Friday travels between downtown Victoria and Sooke. Outside of those hours, the route travels between Langford and Sooke (connects with route 50 in Langford during this time).

• BC Transit (Cowichan Valley Regional Transit System), ☏ +1-250-746-9899. (updated Mar 2022) Bus routes:
  • 44 - Route between downtown Victoria and Duncan with a stop in Langford. Cost per trip is $10. Operates several trips on Saturdays. As of September 3, 2023, these trips will be renumbered as route 66.
  • 66 - Route between downtown Victoria and Duncan with a stop in Langford. Cost per trip is $10. Trips from Monday to Friday leave Duncan in the morning before 6:30 am (before 9:30 am as of September 3, 2023), and leave Victoria in the afternoon.
  • 99 - Route between downtown Victoria and Shawnigan Lake. Operates Monday to Friday, consisting of early morning trips to Victoria and afternoon trips to Shawnigan Lake.

• Victoria Taxi, ☏ +1 250-383-7111, toll-free: +1-888-842-7111. (updated Jul 2022)
• Yellow Cab of Victoria, ☏ +1 250-381-2222, toll-free: +1-800-808-6881. (updated Jul 2022)

In Colwood you will find:

• 🌍 Fisgard Lighthouse. A long-time running historic lighthouse at the head of Esquimalt Harbour. It can be reached by footpath from Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Park. (updated Jul 2023)
• 🌍 Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site, 603 Fort Rodd Hill Rd, ☏ +1-250-478-5849. Explore the underground magazines, a popular attraction that features an exciting array of historical gun batteries and bunkers. The site is filled with informative panels and there is an entrance fee. (updated Feb 2023)

• 🌍 Glen Lake. Has a kid playground and sandy beach. Fishing for bass off the pier is pleasant. (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 Langford Lake. Good for swimming, boating, and fishing (nice boat launch, trout and bass). (updated Jan 2023)
• Ed Nixon Trail adjacent Langford Lake, The Galloping Trail adjacent Glen Lake and 🌍 Mill Hill Regional Park (high view point, good hike with ocean views) are best for jogging or nature walks.

There is also 🌍 Florence Lake for fishing and swimming.

The Galloping Goose Trail, the Langford section is mostly packed dirt and gravel, is great to commute toward downtown Victoria. Going west the trail is great with kids as it goes through active farms (horses, sheep, cows, chickens, ducks), there are also birds and deer wildlife in abundance. The trail is wide. The fall colours and the section near Hatley Memorial Gardens (cemetery) is especially nice; that section is great to grab blackberries in the Summer and the branches from mature trees on each side of the trail form a tunnel.

Good road options are going to Happy Valley Road, to Metchosin Road, (shortcut at Latoria Rd), further through to the Coburg Peninsula, then to Sooke Rd and back on Goldstream road (15-25 km).

There are four or more little independent bikes shops around town happy to help cyclists. The one by the Galloping Goose Trail at Sooke Rd comes in handy to trail travelers.

• There is are two spectacular golf courses at Bear Mountain designed by Jack Nicklaus, the 🌍 Valley Course and the 🌍 Mountain Course.
• 🌍 Royal Colwood Golf Club, 629 Goldstream Ave, ☏ +1-250-478-8331. This is a private golf course. Young deer are often seen there. (updated Feb 2023)

• The trails, lakes and parks offer plenty to the hobbyists and enthusiasts alike. Events at City Centre Park and Westshore Motorsports Park offer live sporting options. The old rail vestiges have interesting views and they lead all the way to the trestle in Goldstream Provincial Park.

• In the summer there are regular concerts, markets and events. Check the city web site for info.
• Remembrance Day ceremonies (11 hour, 11 month (11:00, Nov 11)) are attended by thousands in the park.
• The fountain and Vimy Rigde partial replica statue give a solemn feeling to the park. The other end is playful with the bandstand and kid playground.

• City Centre Park has the only bowling alleys in greater Victoria. Book early it’s often full.

• Go-cart racing is available at Westshore Motorsports Park.

• There is a water parks and playground at Centennial Park on Carlow St that is good for young children (free).
• There is a big water park (free for residents) at City Center Park.
• Memorial Park has a good kid playground.
• Glen Lake Park has a good playground and a sandy beach. It is quieter than most lakes shore areas.
• Mini Golf and Playzone at City Centre Park.

• 🌍 City Centre Park. Offers water park, skating, bowling, mini golf, soccer/rugby fields. Starlight Stadium, located in the park, hosts many Rugby Canada events, most notably the country's stop on the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series for national rugby sevens teams. It is now also home to the local professional soccer team, Pacific FC (see below). (updated Jan 2023)
• Pacific FC, Starlight Stadium (City Centre Park). Soccer team that began play in the new Canadian Premier League in 2019. (updated Aug 2022)

🌍 Goldstream Provincial Park is a provincial park with old growth forests, salmon streams, eagles, picnic areas, nature house and spectacular hiking trails.

Drive north along Highway 1 until you see the park entrance on your right to access the more popular locations within the park. Parking is free along the highway. Or you can help pay for the park and use the park pay parking nearby.

Between October and December the Goldstream River within the park has people flock to the creekside to witness the annual salmon run.

A popular and slightly challenging hike is Mount Finlayson, Greater Victoria's tallest mountain. The views on top are spectacular. Depending on your level of fitness going up is 50-90 minutes. There are precipices and for those scared of heights or with young children you may want to pass.

There are also two waterfalls located within the park: Goldstream River takes a small plunge over 🌍 Goldstream Falls in the southwest corner of the park; and Greater Victoria's very own Niagara Falls are a very tall and thin chute on Niagara creek.

Although not apart of Goldstream Provincial Park, the Niagara rail trestle is another popular attraction, accessed by Goldstream Park trails. Crossing the highway is best done using a tunnel underneath.

The nature house is great for kids. It has an eagle cam, various bones and animals on display. A gift shop well stocked with books on the local nature, coffee and lights snacks are also available.

In Metchosin you will find:

• The expansive 🌍 Witty's Lagoon Beach (great for skimboarding!), 🌍 Matheson Lake, a drive up Lombard Drive, and a visit to My Chosen Cafe (on the corner of Metchosin Road and Happy Valley Road). Metchosin is connected to Sooke Road in Westshore by Happy Valley Road (in Langford) and Metchosin Road (in Colwood). It is also connected to Sooke by Rocky Point Road.

In View Royal you will find:

• Swimming at 🌍 Thetis Lake Park in the small town of View Royal between Langford and Saanich (though it is part of Westshore). Kayaking, beaches and trails are all available here. This popular lake is accessible by Six Mile Road and by Greater Victoria public transit (catch #50 to Langford from downtown, get off at Six Mile Road, then hitch a ride to the park... everyone on Six Mile Road seems to be heading to the lake and it is probably one of the easiest places in Greater Victoria to hitchhike).

• Goldstream News Gazette, ☏ +1 250-478-9552. (updated May 2023)

• The nearest hospitals are in Victoria, the closest of which is Victoria General Hospital.