Words & Photo Stephanie Staples
For various reasons, I hadn’t yet visited the Malahat SkyWalk since it first opened its doors in 2021. I’m fit and able-bodied, and had hiked up Jocelyn Hill to be at the same height to witness a similar (and spectacular) view. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything.
But, it’s touted as a top tourist attraction on the Island. When welcoming my daughter Gina and her wife Allison for a visit this year, it was on their wish list … so off we went!
And boy, I stand corrected and I am so happy to be wrong! The Malahat SkyWalk is so much more than a view – it is an experience and I was ready to buy my season pass within the first 10 minutes of entering the TreeWalk, seeing the rainforest from a completely different perspective.
Because we were en route to other Island adventures, we only spent about two hours there. I’d say that would be the bare minimum you would want to spend; you could easily double or triple that amount of time.
A few of the things I loved about it:
People who aren’t physically able to scale a mountain, tourists who are ill-prepared for a climb (or terrified that wild Canadian animals will be out to get them), children … anyone – literally anyone – can take the safe, 4.5% grade to see our stunning Island from this unique vantage point.
The magic carpet ride (aka the Spiral Slide). You can go down the famed slide over and over (the current record is 50 times; can you say dizzy?). They put you on a perfect little carpet, tuck your feet in and a mere 10 seconds later you’ll find yourself having a gentle arrival at the bottom.
They have partnered with bands, The Bubble Guy, Birds of Prey, yoga teachers and more! They are constantly adding to their repertoire to bring more value to their guests.
The architecture of the structure, the respect for the land of the Malahat Nation, the interpretive stations, the gorgeous driftwood sculptures and games along the TreeWalk.
At Malahat SkyWalk, every season has different offerings and every type of weather brings a new experience – not better or worse, just different. We went first thing in the morning and that seemed to be the best time as far as crowd avoidance went. They are open seven days a week (except Christmas Day), with extended hours in the summer, and they have a complimentary shuttle from downtown Victoria! It’s an equally perfect place for a date or for a family day.
It is a self-guided educational experience and is so interesting to learn about the building of the structure (can you believe the inception was 2019 and completion was 2021?!), the lands that it is on, the wildlife that inhabit the area and more.
Three interesting ways to experience your visit…
- Go for Fitness – walk out to the Skywalk, walk up the Skywalk, do some stretching with nature as the amazing backdrop, walk down and take Luke’s Lane through the forest back to the start; repeat.
- Go for Zen – bring your yoga mat, find a spot on a platform and do your thing. Bring a book and relax in one of the many Adirondack chairs or maybe even the forest hammock. Bring your journal and write. Put it away; meditate; go for a mindfulness walk. Experience a forest bath. Ahhhh. Repeat.
- Go for fun – stop at every game along the way to the Skywalk, go down the one-on-a-kind Spiral Slide (again and again), find the hidden animals in the forest, read every sign, take some amazing pictures, lie down on the net at the top, enjoy the entertainment at the bottom, bring an instrument, have a meal then dessert, or dessert then a meal, or bring a picnic.
Whatever you do, don’t rush your time there; it is a privileged place to be. If you want the sweetest deal on Vancouver Island, check the website around Family Day in February when there is a deal you’d be a fool to pass up – get a full year membership pass for the price of just one visit! Sign me up!
Find out more at www.malahatskywalk.com.
