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The BEST

WALKS & HIKES

NORTH PENDER ISLAND

Scenic view from George Hill Park of Clam Bay Farm, Plumper Sound, Mayne and Saturna Islands, and snow-capped Mount Baker in Washington State (040722).

Photographs, videos, audio, and text Copyright © 2026 Richard Philpot/SGIOUTSIDE.ca.

NORTH PENDER’S BEST

George Hill Park-Port Washington Loop (PIPRC) • Last hiked by RP: June 2026  Loop • STRENUOUS to the George Hill summit; MODERATE otherwise • MAP • Trailhead post on south corner of Walden and Ogden Rds • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.81972, -123.32062  4.3 km (approx. 2.7 mi) • Allow at least 1.5 hrs Highest Elevation: 123 m/404 ft (Gain: 121 m/approx. 397 ft) • Parking spots on Ogden Road  Amenities: Bike racks, four resting benches (permanent binoculars at summit bench) • NO pit toilets or fresh water • Birders: 99 species seen since 2017 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: Half a dozen spectacular high-peak lookouts and a wide variety of plants • Best time of year: Anytime.

Found Road Ocean Access Trail (PIPRC) • Last hiked by RP: June 2026 • Out & Back • STRENUOUS • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.81234, -123.30543 • 2 km (1.25 mi) return • 45-60 mins • Highest Elevation: 68 m/224 ft; Lowest Elevation: Sea level • Parking for 6-8 motor vehicles off the northside of Clam Bay Road • Amenities: Map and distance/elevation profile on Welcome sign, bike rack, seven interpretive signs, bench, ocean access • NO pit toilets or fresh water • Highlights/Notes: Trail meanders thru five different ecological zones, described by seven educational/interpretive signs; long boardwalk thru wetlands; second half of trail descends steeply down several wooden, rock, and earth staircases; nice view from shoreline of south Mayne Island and Mount Parke; lots of embedded tree roots and rocks in trail • Best time of year: Anytime.

 

Mount Menzies Double Loop Trail (GINPR) • Last hiked by RP: June 2026 • Double Loop with short Out & Back • MODERATE • MAP • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.78782, -123.25679 • 3.5 km (approx. 2.2 mi) return • 90 mins • Highest Elevation: 124 m/407 ft (Gain: 31 m/approx. 102 ft) • At the end of Hooson Road • Parking for a dozen motor vehicles around Hooson Road cul-de-sac • Amenities: Traihead post, bike rack • NO pit toilets, fresh water, or ocean access • Birders: 33 species seen since 2022 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: Gradual uphill to the Crooked Tree Lookout Trail, taking you to a stunning 180-degree view of neighbouring SGIs (a great picnic spot); wonderful wildflower array along the Out & Back section; mostly good footing, roots and rocks on the final downhill part • Best time of year: Anytime, unless you’re partial to seeing wildlflowers, then late-April thru June. 

 

Oaks Bluff Up & Back (PIPRC) • Last hiked by RP: June 2026 • Up & Back • MODERATE • MAP  Trailhead Coordinates: 48.75129, -123.26477 1.37 km (.85 mi) return • 30-40 mins Highest Elevation: 123 m/404 ft (Gain: 36 m/approx. 118 ft) • Off Pirates Road, across from the Bonin Blueberry Farm • Amenities: Four parking spots, bike rack, Southern Resident orca art sign, four benches, picnic table, binoculars • NO pit toilets, fresh water, or ocean access  Highlights/Notes: A short climb to one of the best views and picnic spots in the Southern Gulf Islands and maybe the world (see photo above); possible sightings of orca, Humpbacks, Harbour seals, and Turkey vultures • Best time of year: Anytime.

Roe Islet Trail, Roesland (GINPR) • Last hiked by RP: June 2026 • Out & Back • EASY • MAP • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.79386, -123.30683 • 1.23 km (approx. 3/4 mi) • 30 mins Highest Elevation: 11 m/36 ft (Gain: 11 m/approx. 36 ft) • Parking lot on the west side of the road at the Roesland sign/disability parking spot across from Pender Islands Museum • Amenities: GINPR/Parks Canada office, information board, picnic tables and bench, bathrooms, bike rack, dock, historic artifacts, Pender Islands Museum • No fresh water • Dogs on leash • Birders: 101 species seen since 2015 (eBird​)  Highlights/Notes: Spring offers an abundance of wildflowers; tasting the orchard’s fruit in late summer/early fall • Best time of year: Anytime, but the ocean tide must be 2.7 metres (9 feet) or lower to cross the beach to Roe Islet. 

Roe Lake Loop Trail (GINPR) • Last hiked by RP: June 2026  Loop with Out & Back at start • MODERATE • MAP • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.78692, -123.30863  2.8 km (approx. 1.7 mi) • 60 min Highest Elevation: 178 m/584 ft (Gain: 120 m/approx. 394 ft)  Parking along Shingle Bay Road near trailhead sign (dirt/gravel road) • Amenities: GINPR info sign, bike rack, multiple trail map signs • NO pit toilets or fresh water • Dogs on leash • Birders: 106 species seen since 2016 (eBird​)  Highlights/Notes: Wonderful mountain lake with diverse array of plant life (Story: Why is the Western redcedar referred to as the Tree of Life?); loop portion more challenging on the south side with intricate tree-root webs to navigate (a Parks Canada work-in-progress sign signals that a second south-side trail option is coming); locals have been swimming in the lake for years (west and north side access), but a recent Blue-green algae public health advisory by Parks Canada has curtailed this • Best time of year: Anytime; the east end of the loop trail can be mucky during rainy season.

HIKES

Roe Islet Trail
Oaks Bluff
Mount Menzies Double Loop Trail
Found Road OA Trail

CRD - Capital Regional District 

GINPR - Gulf Islands National Park Reserve 

PIPRCPender Islands Parks & Recreation Commission

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Copyrighted Content Copyright © 2026 Richard Philpot/SGIOUTSIDE.ca

​Photographs, videos, text, audio, and blog posts from SGI OUTSIDE may not be copied, reused, or reproduced in any form or medium without prior express permission from Richard Philpot. Contact. All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 2026 Richard Philpot/SGIOUTSIDE.ca. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer: There is risk in all outside activities. Richard Philpot/SGIOUTSIDE.ca has done its utmost to present readers with accurate information and to inform them about some possible dangers. But it is the reader’s responsibility to acquire the outdoor skills and knowledge needed to safely walk, hike, paddle, or bike in the Southern Gulf Islands, and to avoid harm when interacting with nature. Outside adventurers using SGIOUTSIDE.ca as part of their trip planning do so entirely at their own risk. Richard Philpot/SGIOUTSIDE.ca disclaim any liability for injury or other harm that a reader may suffer by using the information provided.

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