Malahat SkyWalk

The Malahat SkyWalk is the most popular half-day trip north of Victoria and the easiest way to see the island from above. It stands beside the Trans-Canada Highway on the Malahat, the forested ridge that the highway climbs on its way up the island, roughly half an hour's drive from downtown. The visit starts with the TreeWalk, a gently graded, accessible wooden boardwalk that winds through the treetops of an arbutus and Douglas fir forest, with interpretive signs along the way. It leads to the Spiral Tower, a striking timber structure that you climb on a gradual ramp to a lookout platform with views down over Finlayson Arm and Saanich Inlet, across to the Saanich Peninsula and the Gulf Islands and, on a clear day, to snowy mountain peaks on the mainland and in Washington State. Children can come down the fast way on the spiral slide, and the Adventure Net in the middle of the tower lets braver visitors walk out over open air. Ground-level nature trails round off the visit. This page links to Malahat SkyWalk tickets on Viator, rated 4.7 from 136 reviews; the Tiqets ticket for the SkyWalk was showing no availability.

November 2026 closure: the SkyWalk has announced a maintenance closure in the second half of November 2026. Its hours page says it closes from 16 November and gives two reopening dates, 30 November in one notice and 1 December in another, so check the official page before you go if your trip falls around the end of the month. It is open as normal before 16 November, and it is closed on Christmas Day.

Winter hours: in the winter season, from mid-October to mid-March, the SkyWalk opens at 9am and sells its last ticket at 3pm, staying open for about an hour after that. That makes it a morning or early-afternoon trip at this time of year, which also gives you the best light from the tower. The summer shuttle from downtown Victoria runs only in the warmer months, so in winter you will need a car or a tour. Fog and low cloud can hide the view, so it is worth checking the SkyWalk's webcams before you set off.

Making it count: allow about two hours for the TreeWalk, the tower and the trails. The ramp to the top is long but gentle, so it suits most visitors, including families with strollers. Dress for wind and cold at the top, as it is exposed and often cooler than in the city. Combine it with Butchart and the Butterfly Gardens by driving the scenic loop via the Brentwood Bay to Mill Bay ferry when it is running, or simply return to Victoria for lunch.