A loop in Spectacle Lake Provincial Park around a small lake with a diverse shoreline, including rocky bluffs, marsh and a small swimming beach.
LOCATION
Almost 11 km north of Goldstream Provincial Park on Highway 1 (the Malahat), you see the well-signposted turn for Spectacle Lake Provincial Park onto Whittaker Road. About 300 m along, turn left to stay on Whittaker Road, again signposted for the park. After about 800 m, fork right to follow the signs a short distance to the parking lot.
DISTANCE
2.4 km
ELEVATION GAIN
Negligible
DIFFICULTY
Easy, but with a few stumbly bits and pieces of roots and rocks on the west side (the return part of the loop suggested here).
SEASON
All season, though obviously beach season has appeal.
OF SPECIAL INTEREST FOR CHILDREN
Be a little wary of the sign indicating the trail is suitable for biking. It isn’t – at least not all the way around (though the east side is easy and broad). The small swimming beach is an obvious magnet. And the picnic tables are there for a reason.
1.You’ll probably want to look at the pretty, little beach (and who cares that it is artificial?) where the trail from the parking lot first reaches the lake. For obvious, practical reasons you may want to postpone any watery pleasures you or the young ’uns have in mind and, noting the potential usefulness of the waste bin and outhouse, head off to the right of the beach. Here you pick up a broad, level and smooth roadbed running parallel to the east shore of the lake.
The view from the rocky bluffs on the east side of the lake
2.When, after a short distance, you see a small trail leading towards the lake, take it. Otherwise, you’ll be missing out on one of the prettiest sections of the walk. Experiencing the rounded, rocky bluffs with patches of moss and the view up and down the lake, you may find the words “picture perfect” floating across your mind.
3.Swinging away from the lake to the main trail, continue to the end of the lake. The trail changes character as it passes behind the marsh, through some alders and over an attractively curving bridge. Pass through some large cedars and over a second bridge.
4.Now you are on the shady, southwest side of the long, narrow lake. The comparatively narrow and uneven trail along this side of the lake will take you over a boardwalk and up through small firs to rocky bluffs. Although the lake is partly screened by trees along this section, small side trails lead to viewpoints. A park bench beside two magisterial firs encourages you to pause and solve some the world’s more pressing problems.
5.Continue on the clear, well-marked trail as it drops to low ground and brings you back to your starting point. Time to break out the bathing suits and/ or peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
