The Saanich Peninsula has so many great rural areas that can be biked with relative ease. We selected this trail as it was straightforward for all ages and off heavy-traffic streets when you select the second start below.
The Interurban Rail Trail is another spectacular Centennial Trail. The trail follows the central part of the former British Columbia Electric Railway line from Interurban Road at Goward Road and West Saanich Road to Wallace Drive. The railway originally ran from Ogden Point to Deep Cove.
Route Details
We decided to start close to a beach for a cool down after our ride, so we parked along the side of the road next to the Tod Inlet Trail Entrance at 6537 Wallace Drive.
Riding down Wallace Drive, we took our time past the beautiful farms and Peninsula countryside. The road undulates lightly and is generally an easy ride. It does not have bike lanes and has a lot of traffic, so if you would rather not share the road with cars, then a second start for the route is at the corner of Wallace Drive and West Saanich Road where the official walking/biking/horse trail portion begins.
Parking is available on Wallace at the mailbox across from the trail start. Walk your bike to the Tod Creek Flats signpost as it is a great read to learn more about the work being done to preserve this important habitat.
The trail is shared and two-way, so it is best to keep to the right. It is smoothly rising and falling over soft gravel or even pavement for the duration. You will flow between gravel trail and a quiet, rural section of Interurban Road, so watch for car traffic.
Most of this trail is surrounded by low shrubs, wildflowers and forest with a variety of tree types, rocky outcrops, pastures, rural homes and farms. Expect to see and watch out for free-range chickens, goats, horses, birds, turtles and lizards.
We turned back around where Interurban meets Goward Road, but the options to keep going can bring you to new great outings and stops along the trail and without the traffic.
Things to Note
This was 13km round trip from the first start place. 9km return for the second start.
Invasive blackberries can be found on both sides of the trail; watch for the overgrown thorns and prickles.
Please watch for the turtles and lizards crossing.
Limited parking at the postal box area but another option is the Red Barn parking lot which offers free parking, public washrooms, and there is ice cream available!
Learn more about the history of this trail: https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Parks~Recreation~and~Community~Services/Documents/CentennialTrails_InterurbanRailTrail.pdf.
