SALT SPRING ISLAND ACCOMMODATION

THE BEACH HOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST

Outdoor Recreation

Salt Spring Island and outdoor recreation go hand and hand. Many people attracted to the island are lured by the natural amenities, water sports, West Coast climate and the spectacular scenery. For the benefit of those thinking about visiting Salt Spring we have included some highlights of outdoor recreation on the island. This is not intended to bean a total list of activities but to feature some of the most popular ones.

Cycling:

The gulf Islands have become something of a cyclist's summer mecca, due in part to the camping grounds and receptive B&Bs. Any visitors forego their cars, riding bikes onto the ferry and spending a couple of days exploring the back roads.

Many first time visitors a rather surprised at how hilly the islands are and don't always come prepared for the terrain. The main road on Salt Spring, The Fulford-Ganges Road is narrow by highway standards and at times can be quite busy with truckers transporting their goods and trades men trying to get to their jobs, not to mention both residents and visitors getting around by car.

Salt Spring has enough ups and downs to test most cyclists. In fact, if you arrive at Vesuvius or Fulford, you are greeted almost immediately by an uphill climb. That is to be expected as most of the ferries do dock at sea level and that's about as low down as cycling ever gets.

David Payne, author of Island Cycling, calls the 55-kilometre Salt Spring circuit the route that inspired his book. He allows two full days to tour it all.

In addition to being a great destination for a few days of outdoor recreation, Salt Spring also offers a base from which to make day trips to the other islands, returning to Salt Spring to enjoy a broader choice of food, beverage and cultural amenities. Gulf Islands Water Taxi offers round trips to Galiano and Mayne Islands (cyclist's with their bikes are welcome) on Wednesdays and Saturdays during July and August.

For those who are flying into the area or do not have your bikes with you, rentals are available right on the dock at Fulford as well as Ganges.

Golfing:

With golfing being the fastest growing sporting activity on the West Coast, Salt Spring offers the choice of two golf courses. Golfers will enjoy the nine-hole Salt Spring Golf & Country Club, north of Ganges near Central. (250-537-2121).

It is open daily from 7 AM - 8 PM and accepts tee time bookings 7 days in advance. The driving range is open 7 AM – 6PM. Check out their website at www.saltspringworms.com or email golf@saltspring.com.

This charming piece of property was the original homestead of one of the island's first authors, Reverend E.F. Wilson, who wrote Salt Spring Island in 1895.his son Norman converted their farm to a golf course in the 1920's. The family home, Barnsbury, was the clubhouse until it burned in the mid 1960s.

The course is open year round and is home of the Falconshead Bar & Grill.

Located in the southern end of the island, Blackburn Meadows Golf Club is a target style executive course that offers challenges of play to both experienced and beginner golfers. Perfect for families , the interesting and varied layout provides an opportunity to learn new skills or test one's playing ability, all while surrounded by nature and the abundant wildlife that call Blackburn Meadows home. The course is maintained organically and is chemical free in order to protect the watershed where it exists. At 1608 yards par 32, a foursome can complete 18 holes within three hours leaving the rest of the day to see Salt Spring. It has a 200+ yard driving range and lessons are available. Tee times may be booked in advance. (250-537-1707). Check out their website at www.blackburnmeadows.com or email clubhouse@blackburnmeadows.com.

Freshwater Fishing:

A number of island lakes are stocked annually, providing good angling year round. St. Mary Lake is well known for small-mouth bass. The lake also offers cutthroat, rainbow trout and steelhead.

Four other lakes provide good fishing spring to fall. Those with small boats will find launches on Cusheon, Stowell and Weston Lakes with cutthroat trout awaiting you. Only electric boat motors are allowed. Weston has some good sized rainbows. A good place for the casual angler is Blackburn Lake, where a small fishing float sits at the end of a short lane beside the Fulford-Ganges Road. Both cutthroats and small-mouth bass provide the entertainment.

All anglers over sixteen must have a fishing license which may be purchased from the Government Agent's Office in Ganges (250-537-5414).

Saltwater Fishing:

This is salmon country and in spite of the declining stocks, sports fishers still enjoy the thrill of hooking into a spring, sockeye, pink, or chinook salmon during season. Cod, sole, and halibut are also caught here. Several local businesses offer boat rentals and fishing charters to visitors.

A license is also required for Salt Water Fishing and may be obtained online at website: www.pac.dfo-mpa.gc.ca/recfish.

Hiking:

This is definitely one of the most popular pass times for both locals and visitors alike. However, one of the downsides of this island's early settlement is the fact that almost 92 percent of the island is now privately owned. The rest is divided between parkland and crown land. An excellent source of hiking information comes from Charles Kahn in his 2004 Revised edition of Hiking the Gulf Islands. Charles lives on Salt Spring and is an active member of the salt Spring Trail and Nature Club. His book features nineteen hikes, nineteen beach walks and eighteen road walks.

Given five ***** stars by Khan, Ruckle Provincial Park is one of my favourite places on the island and should not be missed. Located in the south east corner of the island, it has over 15 km. of trails, including 7 km. of shoreline. The park was originally part of the Henry Ruckle's nineteenth century homestead and the family still operates a farm on the edge of some of the trails. (Please respect their privacy).

BC Parks has installed many "you are here" signboards at most of the trail accesses and intersections. You can hike the trails in many directions but the route along the shoreline is very scenic. Although there is water available, near the camping area, I advise guests to take bottled water with them and any snacks you may wish. The park does have picnic facilities and out houses. If possible, allow yourself the time to give this tranquil beautiful setting the attention it deserves.

Another South end trail that is highly recommended is the Indian Reserve. It is about 1 km. each way which should take about 40 minutes, round trip but you will want to stay longer to relax and absorb the beauty of the vistas. You walk through mixed forest and some of the prettiest shoreline on Salt Spring. Access to this trail is at the end of Menhinick Drive.

Another Provincial Park is Mount Maxwell which provides a fabulous lookout point with spectacular views spanning from Fulford Harbour, northwest to Vancouver Island. You can either hike up the mountain or you can drive up to the parking lot and access the lookout point from there. Either way, the expansive views are worth the trip. This is a must see if you are visiting the island without low cloud cover.