Bellhouse Park (BC Parks) • Last hiked by RP: January 2026 • Loop • EASY • Trailhead 1.6 km from ferry terminal • MAP • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.87261, -123.31296 •  700 m (approx. 1/2 mi)  • 10 mins to the shoreline bench/15 mins to complete loop (allow extra time to explore the sandstone shore) • Minimal elevation gain • Parking for 4-5 vehicles at the end of Bellhouse Road • Amenities: Information and interpretive signs, bike rack, picnic table, pit toilets, resting/view bench • Dogs on leash • Birders: 105 species since 2007 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: Unique shoreline rock formations, Active Pass bird and marine life (including orca), views of Mayne Island’s Georgina Point Lighthouse and snow-capped Mount Baker; signed Restoration Area (stay on the designated rock path, avoid moss-covered areas); be conscious of the BC Ferries-created waves (i.e., ferry wash) and the sometimes dangerous Active Pass currents • Best time of year: This 2-ha park is one of the more unique in the islands; field guides or apps in hand, you can learn much about the wildflowers present here for several months in the spring.

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Dionisio Point Park Shoreline Trails (BC Parks) • Boat access only • Last hiked by RP: June 2026 • Out & Back (or Loop) • EASY • MAP • Starting/Finishing Coordinates (Coon Bay beach): 49.012178, -123.574154 • 3 km (approx. 1.9 mi); can form a 5 km loop (approx. 3.1 mi) by using the Maple Bay Trail and a portion of the park service road • 1-2 hrs • Provisions/Amenities: Information/educational signs, picnic tables, pit toilets, backcountry camping (30 walk-in sites in Parry Lagoon and Sandstone campgrounds/self-registration/no reservations, stairs to an above-tide kayak rack at Sandstone campground, camping not permitted in Coon Bay picnic area) • Fresh water: Hand pump (boil water advisory) • Birders: 102 species since 2005 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: Sculpted-sandstone shelves on Dionisio Point and along Raymond V. Smith Interpretive Trail shoreline, sand beach in Coon Bay, shell middens, wildflowers, rich intertidal life, Porlier Pass marine life, and picturesque views of the mainland moutains including Mount Baker • Best time of year: Anytime, but low tides are the most interesting. This park is an extraordinarily beautiful place.

Extra knowledge: Although Dionisio Point Park is usually accessed by watercraft only, locals often arrive on foot using the through-private-property Mystic Woods Trail (2 km). In June 2025, Galiano Island resident Corinne Matheson posted these responses to this question on the Galiano Island X Facebook page:  What is the correct way to access Dionisio Point Park on foot?

Corinne Matheson Part One: “The ONLY way to reach Dioniso by land is by going through private property. There is NO public access. That being said, my husband and I built a trail [Mystic Woods Trail] through our property so the locals can access the park off Cook Road, which is for hiking only. NO bikes allowed on the trail. If you want to bike through, you will have to trespass, as the first part of the “Private road” belongs to our neighbours.

Corinne Matheson Part Two: “We really appreciate it when people ask permission to go through, as they are more respectful, instead of people thinking they have a right to go through, which they do not . . . So please, if you are going to tell people to go on our property, you must let them know it is private property. We do not have to let anyone through, but we wish to be courteous and allow people to enjoy the park, as long as people also respect the park and keep it clean. And I have horses that graze along our section of the paved road, so people need to respect that also and not scare them if they are coming through on bikes.”

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Galiano Mountain Trail (Mount Galiano Nature Preserve/84 ha) • Last hiked by RP: July 2025 • Out & Back • STRENUOUS • MAP • Trailhead Coordinates (in parking lot off Active Pass Drive): 48.86512, -123.35269 • 6 km (approx. 3.7 mi) • 2-2.5 hrs • Highest Elevation: 299 m/981 ft (Gain: 252 m/approx. 827 ft) • Parking lot off Active Pass Drive • Amenities: Bike rack (NO bicycles on trail) • NO pit toilets or fresh water • Birders: 68 species since 2005 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: Galiano Island’s highest peak; twisted tree roots cross the trail repeatedly, making cautious foot placement critical on your descent; read about some of the history of the Mount Galiano Nature Preserve • Best time of year: Anytime, but a clear day provides a superb view from the summit of the Southern Gulf Islands and beyond, and BC Ferries vessels entering and exiting the west end of Active Pass.

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Gray Point Trail/Montague Harbour Marine Park (BC Parks) • Last hiked by RP: June 2026 • Loop • EASY • Trailhead sign at south end of day use parking lot • MAP • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.90006, -123.40701 • 2.5 km (approx. 1.6 mi) • 60 mins • Highest Elevation: 36 m/118 ft; Lowest Elevation: Sea level  (Gain: 36 m/approx. 118 ft, primarily due to a 47-step wooden staircase) • Parking at the end of Montague Park Road • Beach access • Amenities: Interpretive kiosk/map, pit toilets, recycling and garbage receptacles, bike rack, picnic tables, seasonal drinking water (March 15 to October 31), resting benches, great walk-in and drive-in camping with public dock (35 anchor buoys) • Dogs on leash • NO biking on trail • Birders: 129 species since 1970 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: Gray Peninsula shell middens so “evidence of native occupation dating back more than 3,000 years”, tidal salt marsh, abundant shoreline Arbutus, turquoise ocean water, views up Trincomali Channel to neighbouring Parker, Sphinx, Wise, and Charles Island and Montague Harbour; the branch trail at the base of the 47-step wooden staircase leads to a covered picnic shelter featuring wood stoves, a BBQ stand, a fire ring, and seasonal fresh water, and is next to the walk-in camping area • Best time of year: Anytime, but winter through spring is most peaceful.

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Active Pass Beach Trail/Matthews Point Regional Park (CRD) • Last hiked by RP: February 2026 • Out & Back with potential LOOP by incorporating the Ridge Trail and Bluff Road East • MODERATE • Trailhead on southside of Bluff Road East, next to 617 Bluff Road East • MAP • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.86683, -123.32272 • 600 m (approx. 650 yd) + 25 m (approx. 27 yd) to walk the beach end to end • 15 mins • Highest Elevation: 41 m/135 ft; Lowest Elevation: Sea level • Parking for a half-dozen vehicles off Bluff Road East • Amenities: Trailhead marker, picnic table, bench with ocean view, pit toilet near link to The Viewpoint Trail • NO bicycles on trail • Birders: 79 species since 2010 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: A staircase and rope “handrail” assist with the steep final 150-metre stretch and 40-metre descent to the beach; be aware of ferry wash and the sometimes dangerous Active Pass currents (the narrow pass is excellent for marine mammal viewing, including orca); the sometimes confusing Ridge Trail leads to pretty views of Mount Galiano, Active Pass, and beyond and connects with The Viewpoint Trail/The Bluffs • Best time of year: Anytime, but the 400-metre-long soft, sandy beach is most pleasant in sunshine and at tides below 3 m (approx. 10 ft); allow extra time for a beach picnic.

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The Viewpoint Trail/The Bluffs (Galiano Club & GIPRC) • Last hiked by RP: January 2026 • Out & Back • EASY • Trailhead off Bluff Road via The Bluffs sign • MAP • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.86721, -123.33725 • 300 m (approx. 330 yards) • 5-10 mins • Highest Elevation: 124 m/407 ft (Gain: 1 m/approx. 3.3 ft) • Parking lot at end of rough earth road • Amenities: Bluff Park Kiosk, bike rack (NO bicycles on trail) • Birders: 102 species since 1990 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: Only half as high as the Galiano Mountain Trail summit, the view of Active Pass from The Bluffs is decidedly more intimate; a wonderful picnic and reading spot that’s accessible to everyone (allow an hour or two here); a trail sign west leads to an early 1900s Japanese Charcoal Pit Kiln (5-10 min walk); a short trail east connects with the adjacent Matthews Point Regional Park Ridge Trail, (with pit toilet near the junction/not far from Bluff Road East arrow) and leads to the sandy beach along Active Pass • Best time of year: Anytime.