If you are visiting Victoria and drive up to the Cowichan Valley to visit a few wineries, on your way back you may want to stop by the Malahat SkyWalk. This is what I did on my recent trip and really enjoyed the views from the SkyWalk. For those of you unfamiliar with the Malahat SkyWalk, I will tell you about my experience and observations as well as provide you with some spectacular pictures from my visit.
About the Malahat SkyWalk
The Malahat SkyWalk is a ten-story open-air spiral tower that has a low-angle walkway for easy walking. The low-angle walkway also makes it easier for people in wheelchairs to reach the top of the tower. From the parking lot, there is maybe a 12-15 minute walk to the tower. As you pass through the forested path, there are many wooden sculptures of animals you may see in the forest, like bears and wolves, made by artist Tanya Bub. She is a Victoria, BC artist who creates sculptures of animals and people from found wood, wire, and paper.
Walking up the tower is about another 15 minutes, depending on how fit you are. As a senior, or someone with lower stamina, there are benches every few circles up the ramp for you to rest. Once you are at the top, you have unobstructed 360-degree views of the forest, mountains, and ocean. If you are not familiar with the area, there are some plaques that tell you the names of the places you see. I was able to see the Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay ferry cross the Saanich Inlet. If I had more time on this trip, I would try that short ferry ride.
If you are brave, there is a glass box overhang, where you can stand, look down, between your feet to see the ground ten stories below you. If you are not that brave, still go into the overhang, but don’t look down. After taking pictures from the top of the SkyWalk, it is time to go back down. About 2-3 spirals below the top level there is an optional spiral slide that you can take that will bring you down in about ten seconds, otherwise, keep walking and sit on the benches when you need a rest. I did not take the slide down as I have back issues. I did make use of the benches.
I would rate this experience as one you should not miss if you travel to Victoria if you can attend on a sunny, cloud-free day. If I could recommend a wine to go with this sky walk, I would pick a Charme de l’lile sparkling wine, which can only be made on Vancouver Island. Unsworth Vineyards and Blue Grouse Estate Winery are two wineries that make these wines.
Thank you to Destination Greater Victoria and the Malahat SkyWalk for providing me with a complementary pass to visit this exciting site.
