
Roche Cove Regional Park
Regional Park
Sooke
The ancient temperate rainforest around the sheltered cove offers a perfect chance for solitude and a connection with nature. You can hike along a cool creek during the day or paddle on calm waters in the early morning light at this serene West Coast park.
If you like the beach, enjoy a picnic in the protected cove after an easy walk from the parking area. At low tide, you can find little-neck clams and barnacles in the sand. At high tide, look for sea stars moving over broken shells in search of food. You might also see migrating ducks, like red-breasted mergansers, Barrow's goldeneye, or buffleheads on the water.
If you're looking for an easy hike, the Matheson Creek Trail follows the creek through a lush forest filled with bracken ferns and western red cedars, connecting to nearby Matheson Lake Regional Park (note: The trail may be impassable in winter.) For a more challenging hike, try the Cedar Grove Trail.
Roche Cove is also a great starting point for a day outing on the popular Galloping Goose Regional Trail. For a shorter hike, consider walking from Roche Cove to Rocky Point Road, which is 4.7 km one way. The Goose is a multi-use trail with a smooth gravel surface and a gentle slope, offering ocean and lake views at various points along the way.
Size: 162.59 hectares
Location: Gillespie Road in East Sooke
Established: 1985
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Roche Cove Regional Park Map [PDF/712KB]
To help preserve the park:
- Keep your dog under control or on a leash.
- Stay on marked trails and do not disturb plants or animals.
- Clean up after your dog and take all your trash with you.
- Smoking is not allowed in parks or on trails.
- Motorized vehicles are not allowed.
- Camping, open fires, and alcohol are not allowed.
Activities
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Cycling
Horseback Riding
Swimming
Walking/Running
Amenities
Information kiosk
Parking lot
Parking, accessible
Picnic area
Picnic area, accessible
Public transit
Rest area
Toilet
Toilet, accessible
How to Get There
Follow the Trans-Canada Highway from Victoria, and take Exit 14 south to Langford. Follow Veterans Memorial Parkway, then turn right on Sooke Road. From Sooke Road, turn left on Gillespie Road, which leads to the park entrance on the left. Allow approximately 45 minutes driving time from Victoria.
Public Transportation
Take BC Transit #64 from the 17 Mile House to Gillespie Road. There is a bus stop close to the park entrance. Please note that BC Transit #64 runs Monday to Friday only, no weekend service. Contact BC Transit for schedule information.