As we are moving again across Canada, I thought it was an excellent idea to discover a new place on Vancouver island as we were this morning started to put our boxes in our Uhaul box near Duncan.
I went online, and I find an article about 62 things to do on the island, and we were missing a few, so here it is.
Where is Old Baldy Mountain located?
For once, it was easy to find it as you can put an address in your GPS:
2321-2351 Strathcona Heights Rd, Shawnigan Lake, BC
You have to stop a little before the end of the road, and on your left, you will see a yellow gate, which is where you should go. You can even park around here or even before to find the red gate.
Which way to go up?
I think it’s the best way to get up to the mountains to go by the yellow gate, but it is pretty steep at the beginning for the first 600 meters on a logging road. Then after the cell tower, the fun is coming on your left!
You are going to see the views, to climb on rocks, trees. And each time you want to stop, admire the views on your right: Shawnigan Lake.
Once at the top of the mountains, you will see through Victoria airport, the mountains, Saltspring Island, the inlet, the peninsula, Mill Bay, and even more. It was almost a 360 degrees view (as a few trees were blocking the idea).
On this trail, there is a hidden swing. Do you want to know where this is?
It didn’t take me long to find it. Let me explain it.
How to find the hidden swing?
When you are coming from the yellow gate, you will reach the top of the mountain to see this gorgeous view. After that, you will just go down and follow the path on your left. When this path turns slightly to the left, you will see it (or people around it). The swing is attached to an Arbutus Tree (my favorite tree on the island!).
What is so special about this swing?
I always loved swinging, even since I was young. I always wanted to touch the sky this way. I remember once turning all around the swing and falling. Trust me; I never did that again! But I still love the sensation.
The view from the swing is just fantastic and so beautiful. You will have the impression to fly and be close to the lake like you can jump into it. But in reality, you are on the ground, and the swing is not perfectly set, so no worries to have!
A few years ago, the swing was installed, and on the seat, this cute Vancouver Island map is engraved. A lot of people had carved their name in this Arbutus Tree (this is romantic, probably).
So, we stayed a long time there as nobody was around (I told you that we always managed to be alone in most of the places we visited!), to enjoy the view and the wind which was so strong. I did love it so much as it feels like I was near the ocean on a very windy day!!!!!
How do you get down?
We choose to get back via the other trail (the one that started with the red gate) because the rocks were slippery, and we didn’t want to take any risks to fall.
Going back to the parking this way was easy, but it was always going down, and we are glad to have done it this way as there is not so much view.
Once you are down and if you have parked in front of the yellow gate, you will have to walk on your left a few meters up to get to your car.
Why should you go there?
Definitely for the challenge after the cell tower and to admire the views!!!!
This trail is considered a moderate one, and to go up there, it will take you around 30 minutes to 45 minutes. It’s not so long to get there: 2.4km one way.
