The CRD Board approved the Gulf Islands Regional Trails Plan (GIRTP) for future trails in the Gulf Islands in 2018. Two rounds of engagement were completed for the GIRTP including open houses and information booths on each island and online comment forms.
The GIRTP identifies a conceptual route for a regional trail on each of Salt Spring, Mayne, North and South Pender, Galiano, and Saturna Islands. The intent is to develop these new regional trails within the surveyed road dedications and, where possible, separated from motor vehicle traffic. The regional trails will be classified as rural bike and pedestrian trails.
The routes will generally connect ferry terminals to key destinations such as parks or commercial hubs, and over the long term the network of trails on the islands will benefit the region by providing more opportunities for recreation and active transportation. With 50 kilometers of new trail proposed, implementation of the plan will be a long term initiative.
