Cycling Nervana—Swartz Bay to Victoria Airport

The following is a description of the 'bicycle tourist's escape from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal'.  I'm surprised that this route is not published anywhere--it's gold.  You avoid all of the motor traffic and end up on a recreational pathway beside the Pat Bay Highway . 

Yes, you can take the Pat Bay Highway , but that route is for losers.  The route below is a much more intelligent and peaceful way to get to both Sidney and the Airport. And it is not inefficient or circuitous.  I’ve taken several groups on this route and they all loved it.

The following contains a number of Google map links.   Once you examine the satellite photo of the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal compound, you’ll get the lay of the land and should be able to find the pathway exit.  Getting this right is critical to the journey so pay attention.

At Swartz Bay Terminal

After you disembark the ferry, get out of the traffic stream as soon as possible and stay left. This may mean crossing the traffic at your earliest safe opportunity. Head for the visitor centre (where drivers go for coffee and washrooms).  From the visitors centre, staying left, head towards the exit and sneak through the left most toll booth (backwards).  This toll booth is rarely manned and if it is they will know why you are there.  Just past the row of toll booths, and locate the pathway on your left.  This bike/ped pathway brings you up to Dolphin Rd at the intersection of Canoe Cove Rd.   Here is the satellite photo of the terminal.  ‘A’ marks the pathway access point. http://tinyurl.com/dfag8k

Over the past 5 or 6 years that we have used this short cut, I have never noticed a sign of any kind to help cyclists find it.  A crime, really. 

Note that there is a great pub (The Stonehouse Pub) and an ok restaurant just down the Canoe Cove Rd if you need sustenance.

Zoom in on the map using the wheel on your mouse and note the route from ‘A’ to ‘B’.  This route takes you from the perimeter of the ferry terminal compound to the start of the Lochside Trail. This route is not intuitive so click on ‘map’ and print the sheet so you will have a pocket reference.  A GPS won’t find this route from standard mapping software.

From the Northern Terminus of the Lochside Trail

So if all goes well, you are now on the paved pathway with doubles as the driveway access to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club on your left.  Continue south along this pathway  and you will pass a gate that keeps motorists off the pathway beyond. 

As you pedal along, you will eventually come to a pedestrian overpass that crosses the Pat Bay Highway .  Pass around this structure then left onto McDonald Park Drive .  This is the end of the pathway.  From here on you are on low traffic streets.

If you follow the next Google map, http://tinyurl.com/ba3grf you will end up at Resthaven Drive and Beacon Ave.

Sidney to the Airport

If you are continuing on to the Airport, here is the next map segment. http://tinyurl.com/caxvys

Note the Mary’s Bleue Moon Café is at 9535 Canora Rd at Weiler Ave.     An excellent place for a great meal and to pass the time while waiting for a flight.

When you get to the Victoria Airport , look for the bicycle set up facility in the parking lot.  There is a work stand for prepping your bike for the flight as well as a bike rack to lock to if you go into the terminal to meet and greet.  The work station is covered to give some rain protection.