Part of the Pacific Marine Heritage Legacy, the 149 hectare Bodega Ridge Provincial Park is located on Galiano Island.
Although the area the park is in is undeveloped, there are several well-developed hiking trails along Bodega Ridge. Trails range in length from 1 km to 8 km. When using this area in the summer, please remember that the forest fire hazard on Galiano is almost always extreme.
From the trailhead, the top of the ridge is a 1 km, 30 minute uphill hike through forested sections, and then along the cliff line. After five minutes hiking, you will encounter a warning sign that reads "Proceed at your own risk. Steep-rugged terrain"; shortly after the sigh the trail branches--take the trail branch to the north (left) to stay on the main trail. Approximately half way along the 8 km trail to Bodega Hill, the trail becomes quite overgrown with salal and nettles. As a great lesson in the difference between a GPS straight-line distance and the reality of a twisting trail, set a waypoint for Bodega Hill at UTM 10U 462682E 5422007N.
The view at clearings is fantastic. To the south, Wallace Island and Reid Islands; Saltspring and Crofton can be seen across Trincomali Channel. Kuper and Thetis Islands can be seen to the northwest, and the mainland can be seen to the north across the Strait of Georgia. On clear days, the layer of fresh water from the Fraser River mixing with the salt water from the Georgia Strait makes ever changing patterns.
Directions:
From the Sturdies Bay ferry terminal on Galiano, follow Porlier Pass Road for 19 kms. Past Retreat Cove, turn right onto Cottage Way. The trails start at the Bodega Ridge Nature Trail sign at the end of Cottage Way. UTM 10U 462458E 5422007N.
Posted By: supertoddy
