Witty's Lagoon

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Overview

The Beach Trail to Witty's Lagoon begins from the Nature Centre and passes the scenic Sitting Lady Falls, before descending down towards the lagoon and following a fairly easy trail the beach. The beach area is beautiful and is a popular family beach where the low tide creates visible sand dunes surrounded by water shallow enough to walk to. The area is also popular amongst bird watchers as the lagoon provides shelter and an ecosystem of food for many different shorebirds.

From the parking lot off of Metchosin Road, walk to the Nature Centre, taking a look at some of the photos they have posted and a look inside if they are open. Follow the trail past the Nature Centre and down the hill, walking the short distance to the bottom where you quickly arrive at a junction. Go right and onto the wooden bridge, along the Beach Trail. Sitting Lady Falls is located just under this bridge and can be seen from a side view via a platform several meters down the trail. The best viewpoint for the waterfall is opposite it by returning to the junction and going the other direction along the Lagoon Trail.

After viewing the waterall and canyon, continue along the Beach Trail as it continues to descend down some stairs and then along a dirt trail. The trail opens up and passes through a section of marsh to the left, until it reaches a small wooden bridge. Cross the bridge and follow the trail into the forest as it meanders through the trees, offering occasional views of Witty's Lagoon.

Eventually, the trail passes along a section surrounded by bushes before crossing a wooden bridge and arriving at the beach. The beach area can be popular during the summer as people picnic at the tables, lounge on the sand, and children run and play in the water. During the other seasons, the beach is much quieter but still a nice walk or popular place for bird watchers.

Return via the same route you came, leaving the beach area and following the trail through the forest. Cross the wooden bridge and follow the trail as it heads uphill and along the wooden railings, past Sitting Lady Falls, and over the bridge. If you didn't see the viewpoint for the waterfall, go right for a short side trip, then return via the wide trail, uphill the hill to the Nature Centre where you began your hike.

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Driving Directions

Witty's Lagoon is located in the Metchosin area, west of Victoria. To drive to the start of the Beach Trail at the Nature Centre from downtown Victoria, drive to Douglas Street and head northbound out of the city. Douglas will turn into Highway #1 as you leave the city. Take Exit #10: View Royal / Colwood and as you exit, stay to the left so that you follow the exit that passes under the highway.

Continue driving along what is now the Island Highway, then turns into Sooke Road about 2.5km later. Turn left onto Metchosin Road and follow it for about 7km. As you near the park, watch for signs for Witty's Lagoon and the Nature Centre. Turn left into the parking lot for the Nature Centre and the trail begins at the far end of the lot.

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Public Transportation

It is possible to take the bus to Witty's Lagoon from downtown Victoria. The trip will take about 1 hour and 20 minutes and require you to take two buses, the #50: Langford and #54: Metchosin.

From Douglas Street downtown (near Pandora), take bus #50: Langford northbound. You will want to get off the bus around the Westshore Town Centre shopping mall, which will take about 40 minutes to reach.

After exiting the bus, look for bus #54 to Metchosin. Tell the bus driver you would like to get off the bus at the Nature Centre for Witty's Lagoon Regional Park. The bus will take about 25 minutes to reach this stop. The bus stop should be located directly across the street from the parking lot, allowing you to carefully cross the street and walk down to the Nature Centre where the Beach Trail begins.

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Additional Information

Dog-Friendly

Dogs are allowed off-leash and under control on the trails to the beach at Witty's Lagoon. However, from June 1 - September 15, dogs must be on a leash at the beach area and are only allowed to pass through (ie. not allowed to stay). Please abide by these rules to keep park trails dog-friendly. Also, please ensure to pickup after your dog and remove all excrement from the park.

Toilets

There are pit toilets near the Nature Centre at the start of the trail and also at the beach area near the picnic tables.

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