First pick
The Butchart Gardens
Park or garden
52 ha4.2 km of path
55 minto walk all 4.2 km of path
3.1 km westfrom the centre
Directionsto a point inside
Photo: Ken Walker · CC BY 2.59.2%protected within 10 km
Outdoors in Central Saanich · parks, protected land & trails
Within 3.5 km of Central Saanich: Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Within 5 km are 29 beaches; Water Ski Beach is the nearest. CPCAD lists 35 protected areas within 10 km. Out to 10 km from the town’s edge, 9.2% of the land is protected; 2.3% is typical for a Canadian town.
Protected land
9.2%
of the land within 10 km
Typical Canadian town: 2.3%
Protected areas
35
within 10 km, 21 public
Typical Canadian town: 14
Nearest national park
3.5 km
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Nearest provincial park
At the edge
Ƚáu,Welṉew̱/John Dean Park
Walking routes
2
named, within 2 km (OpenStreetMap)
Beaches
29
within 5 km (OpenStreetMap)
Character
Where Central Saanich stands out outdoors
Each figure against Canadian towns of 2,500+; tap a tile for the detail.
A national park nearbyGulf Islands National Park Reserve, 3.5 km awayProtected land all round9.2% of the land within 10 km, more than 84% of Canadian townsBeaches29 beaches within 5 kmMany protected areas21 public areas within 10 km
What Central Saanich has most to offer outdoors is Gulf Islands National Park Reserve within easy reach, with protected land around it close behind.
Against other towns
Each figure for Central Saanich, set against Canadian towns
Each figure against the 2,611 Canadian towns and neighbourhoods of 2,500+ (not city hubs or reserves), with the town marked and the typical one’s line. No letter: the outdoors is described for Canadian towns, not graded.
Protected within 10 km9.2%Share of the land and water within 10 km of the town’s edge in a protected or conserved area
Protected in town3.3%Share of the town’s own area in a protected or conserved area
Public protected areas21Areas within 10 km held by a government or an Indigenous nation
Walking routes2Named OpenStreetMap walking and hiking routes with 300 m+ within 2 km
Beaches29Beaches mapped on OpenStreetMap within 5 km
CPCAD 2.9.0 (ECCC, 2026), OpenStreetMap (November 2026). Distances from the town’s outline.
Towns its size
Among 40 towns its size, Central Saanich ranks 3rd for protected land within 10 km
The 40 Canadian towns nearest in population (17,673 to 18,676 residents), by the share of the land within 10 km that is protected. Hover for each one’s figures; click for its page.
Protected within 10 km
Central Saanich9.2%
Towns its size2.2%
Towns in British Columbia6.7%
Typical Canadian town2.3%
Public protected areas
Central Saanich21
Towns its size4
Towns in British Columbia14
Typical Canadian town4
Walking routes
Central Saanich2
Towns its size0
Towns in British Columbia1
Typical Canadian town0
Among its peers, Central Saanich’s strong point is public protected areas, where 4 of 39 top it.
Every town in the comparison
| Town | Protected within 10 km | In town | Areas | Routes | Beaches | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fallingbrook ON | 14% | 0% | 41 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | Deux-Montagnes QC | 14% | 2.1% | 33 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | Central Saanich BC | 9.2% | 3.3% | 35 | 2 | 29 |
| 4 | Desmarchais-Crawford QC | 8.8% | 1.4% | 21 | 0 | 3 |
| 5 | Sainte-Catherine QC | 7.9% | 6.3% | 23 | 0 | 1 |
| 6 | Schmidtville NS | 5.9% | 0% | 16 | 4 | 18 |
| 7 | Bracebridge ON | 5.4% | 3.4% | 13 | 1 | 6 |
| 8 | Oak Bay BC | 5.4% | 3.4% | 17 | 2 | 26 |
| 9 | Iberville QC | 5.1% | 0% | 21 | 0 | 1 |
| 10 | Dewdney East SK | 4.5% | 0% | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| 11 | Fraser Heights BC | 4.1% | 24% | 129 | 4 | 6 |
| 12 | Royal Oak BC | 4.1% | 0% | 27 | 3 | 6 |
| 13 | L'Ancienne-Lorette QC | 3.9% | 0% | 29 | 1 | 1 |
| 14 | Centre ON | 3.8% | 12% | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| 15 | Parc-Laurier QC | 3.5% | 0% | 13 | 0 | 1 |
| 16 | Morningside ON | 3% | 27% | 16 | 0 | 4 |
| 17 | McKenzie Towne AB | 3% | 0% | 2 | 0 | 13 |
| 18 | Auburn Bay AB | 2.9% | 0% | 1 | 0 | 12 |
| 19 | Downtown Yonge East ON | 2.3% | 0% | 11 | 10 | 39 |
| 20 | Kensington-Chinatown ON | 2.2% | 0% | 12 | 8 | 29 |
| 21 | Credit Valley ON | 2.2% | 5.5% | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Fletchers West ON | 2.2% | 0% | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| 23 | Thornhill ON | 2.1% | 0.4% | 29 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | Greater Napanee ON | 1.9% | 1.2% | 34 | 0 | 1 |
| 25 | Cold Lake AB | 1.7% | 0% | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 26 | Port Elgin ON | 1.6% | 6.2% | 8 | 0 | 25 |
| 27 | Saint-Sulpice QC | 1.5% | 2.1% | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | Mahogany AB | 1.4% | 0% | 2 | 0 | 13 |
| 29 | Clanton Park ON | 1.3% | 0% | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| 30 | Downsview ON | 1.1% | 0% | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| 31 | Collingwood BC | 0.8% | 0% | 11 | 3 | 6 |
| 32 | Edmundston NB | 0.6% | 0% | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| 33 | Swift Current SK | 0.6% | 0.2% | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 34 | Listowel ON | 0.5% | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | Sylvan Lake AB | 0.5% | 0.1% | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 36 | Eringate-Centennial-West Deane ON | 0.4% | 0% | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| 37 | Port Hope ON | 0.3% | 0.1% | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| 38 | Mimico-Queensway ON | 0.3% | 0% | 6 | 3 | 20 |
| 39 | DT Fairview ON | 0.2% | 0% | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 40 | Taradale AB | 0.2% | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
The map
The green map of Central Saanich
The town’s parks, woods, protected land and paths, with its named places numbered.
Green: OpenStreetMap parks, gardens, playing fields and woods. Hatched: CPCAD protected areas.© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); CPCAD (OGL-Canada)
Places to walk
30 parks and woods to walk in, in or near Central Saanich
The Butchart Gardens is the largest, at 52 ha; the rest follow by size, numbered as on the map.
30 named parks and woods, 268 ha in all
Parks & gardens 268 ha
Many small places make up the total; the biggest is 19%.
Island View Beach Regional Park
Park or garden
52 ha3.6 km of path
45 minto walk all 3.6 km of path
4.2 km eastfrom the centre
Island View Back Door Trail
Directionsto a point inside
Bear Hill Regional Park
Park or garden · 230 m outside town
47 ha2.1 km of path
30 minto walk all 2.1 km of path
3.6 km south-eastfrom the centre
Directionsto a point inside
Centennial Park
Park or garden
20 ha3 km of path
40 minto walk all 3 km of path
1.5 km northfrom the centre
Directionsto a point inside
Oak Haven Park
Park or garden
10 ha0.8 km of path
10 minto walk all 0.8 km of path
1.5 km south-westfrom the centre
Directionsto a point inside
Gore Park
Park or garden
6.8 ha1.3 km of path
15 minto walk all 1.3 km of path
2.0 km westfrom the centre
Directionsto a point inside
Cordova Spit Park
Park or garden
7.6 ha0.6 km of path
5 minto walk all 0.6 km of path
5.1 km north-eastfrom the centre
Directionsto a point inside
All 30 named parks and green spaces
The Butchart GardensPark or garden · 52 ha · 4.2 km of path
DirectionsIsland View Beach Regional ParkPark or garden · 52 ha · 3.6 km of path
DirectionsBear Hill Regional ParkPark or garden · 47 ha · 2.1 km of path · just outside town
DirectionsSaanich FairgroundsPark or garden · 30 ha
DirectionsCentennial ParkPark or garden · 20 ha · 3 km of path
DirectionsOak Haven ParkPark or garden · 10 ha · 0.8 km of path
DirectionsGore ParkPark or garden · 6.8 ha · 1.3 km of path
DirectionsCordova Spit ParkPark or garden · 7.6 ha · 0.6 km of path
DirectionsIsland View Beach Municipal ParkPark or garden · 7.4 ha
DirectionsNewman ParkPark or garden · 6.6 ha · 0.4 km of path
DirectionsButterfield ParkPark or garden · 5.2 ha · 0.6 km of path
DirectionsHaldon ParkPark or garden · 4.0 ha · 0.1 km of path
DirectionsAdam Kerr ParkPark or garden · 2.3 ha · 0.6 km of path
DirectionsCooperidge ParkPark or garden · 3.2 ha · 0.2 km of path
DirectionsQuarry ParkPark or garden · 2.2 ha · 0.3 km of path
DirectionsSaanichton GreenPark or garden · 1.5 ha · 0.5 km of path
DirectionsSaanichton Bay ParkPark or garden · 1.3 ha · 0.5 km of path
DirectionsRodolph ParkPark or garden · 1.3 ha · 0.5 km of path
DirectionsPioneer ParkPark or garden · 1.2 ha · 0.5 km of path
DirectionsPat Thomson ParkPark or garden · 1.5 ha
DirectionsGeorge May ParkPark or garden · 1.4 ha
DirectionsRavine ParkPark or garden · 0.6 ha · 0.3 km of path
DirectionsRom Knott Memorial ParkPark or garden · 0.8 ha · 0.1 km of path
DirectionsBlossom ParkPark or garden · 0.4 ha · 0.2 km of path
DirectionsSandhill ParkPark or garden · 0.7 ha
DirectionsHappy Day ParkPark or garden · 0.3 ha
DirectionsAmwell ParkPark or garden · 0.4 ha
DirectionsThomson Place ParkPark or garden · 0.4 ha
DirectionsBrooks ParkPark or garden · 0.4 ha
DirectionsDawson ParkPark or garden · 0.2 ha
DirectionsSource: OpenStreetMap parks, gardens, commons and woods with a name, in the town or within 400 m, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Sizes are the mapped outline’s.
Close to home
7 in 10 people in Central Saanich live near a park
Residents of each 2021 dissemination area, at a point inside it, within 400 m (about a 5-minute walk) of a park or playing field mapped on OpenStreetMap.
Within 400 m (73%)Further (27%)
Central Saanich73%
Towns in British Columbia72%
Typical Canadian town83%
Around 4,900 residents are further than 400 m from a park. The usual figure for a Canadian town is 83%, above this.
Protected areas
Within 10 km of Central Saanich, 9.2% is protected land
Every protected and conserved area in CPCAD within 10 km of the town’s edge: parks, reserves, wildlife areas and conservation land.
Inside Central Saanich3.3%
Within 10 km9.2%
Towns in British Columbia6.7%
Typical Canadian town2.3%
On public land: 21 of the 35. The others are private conservation land. The largest named one is Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, at 6,731 ha. The count includes 14 areas that are private or not recorded as public; they aren’t named.
Gowlland Tod ParkProvincial park · 1,280 ha · reaches Central Saanich
Ƚáu,Welṉew̱/John Dean ParkProvincial park · 173 ha · reaches Central Saanich
Island View Beach Regional ParkMunicipal park · 53 ha · reaches Central Saanich
Bear Hill Regional ParkMunicipal park · 49 ha · 0.2 km from the edge of town
Mount Work Regional ParkMunicipal park · 754 ha · 1.1 km from the edge of town
Elk/Beaver Lake Regional ParkMunicipal park · 443 ha · 1.2 km from the edge of town
Coles Bay Regional ParkMunicipal park · 3.6 ha · 2.1 km from the edge of town
Bamberton ParkProvincial park · 27 ha · 3.0 km from the edge of town
Gulf Islands National Park ReserveNational park reserve · 6,731 ha · 3.5 km from the edge of town
Mountain Road Forest Regional ParkMunicipal park · 20 ha · 4.8 km from the edge of town
11 more named areas within 10 km are in the figures.
Source: Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD) 2.9.0, Environment and Climate Change Canada. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
National & provincial parks
The parks within reach of Central Saanich
National parks (Parks Canada) and provincial or territorial parks by direction and distance from the town’s edge: every one within 10 km, and the nearest of each within 100 km.
National parkProvincial park
Provincial park
Gowlland Tod Park
At the edge13 km²since 1995
Provincial park
Ƚáu,Welṉew̱/John Dean Park
At the edge1.7 km²since 1921
Provincial park
Bamberton Park
3.0 km north-west0.3 km²since 1960
National park reserve
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
3.5 km north-east67 km²since 2010
Provincial park
Spectacle Lake Park
6.4 km west0.7 km²since 1963
Provincial park
Goldstream Park
8.8 km south-west4.8 km²since 1958
There are 5 provincial parks within 10 km.
Source: CPCAD 2.9.0 (ECCC): areas and outlines, distances outline to outline; directions from the town’s centre point.
Footpaths and woods
85 km of paths in and around Central Saanich
OpenStreetMap footpaths, paths, bridleways and steps, and tracks open on foot, in the town and 1 km around it; woods as mapped (landuse=forest, natural=wood).
Footpaths
85 km
in and around the town (80.5 km²)
Woodland
24%
about 19.3 km² of mapped woods
Footpaths · km per km²
Central SaanichTowns in British ColumbiaTypical Canadian town
Footpaths1.1
012 km per km²
Share of the land · mapped woods and forest
Central SaanichTowns in British ColumbiaTypical Canadian town
Woodland24%
0%50%100%
57% of Canadian towns have more footpath per km². Woods cover more of it than in 70% of Canadian towns.
Source: OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Mapping varies by place: a dense figure can mean keen local mappers as much as many paths.
Walking routes
2 mapped routes to walk from Central Saanich
Named walking and hiking routes on OpenStreetMap with at least 300 m within 2 km of the town, longest first; national routes lead.
Local
Interurban Rail Trail3.6 km
Brentwood Bay Seaside Walk1.0 km
The longest of the rest is the Interurban Rail Trail, 3.6 km.
Source: OpenStreetMap (route relations hiking, foot and walking), © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Trans Canada Trail sections as OSM maps them.
When to get out
Central Saanich is best on foot in May to September
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s 1991–2020 normals from Victoria (Airport) (8.7 km), and daylight at the town’s latitude. Good months: 12½+ hours of daylight, highs of 15–30 °C, little rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 8.7 | 10.1 | 11.7 | 13.6 | 15.2 | 16.1 | 15.7 | 14.3 | 12.5 | 10.7 | 9.1 | 8.3 |
| High (°C) | 8 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 14 | 10 | 7 |
| Rain & snow (mm) | 155 | 85 | 80 | 48 | 37 | 29 | 20 | 24 | 36 | 96 | 146 | 146 |
Rain and snow peak in January (155 mm) and ease in July (20 mm). In July the typical high is 23 °C; in December, 7 °C. A typical year sees 39 cm of snow. The climate in Central Saanich →
Beaches
Beaches near Central Saanich: 29 within 5 km
Beaches on OpenStreetMap within 5 km of the town’s edge, nearest first, with directions.
Water Ski Beach1.6 km from town
DirectionsHamsterly Beach1.8 km from town
DirectionsSayward Beach2.1 km from town
DirectionsEagle Beach2.7 km from town
DirectionsCordova Bay Beach3.2 km from town
DirectionsGlass Beach4.1 km from town
DirectionsNorth Beach4.2 km from town
DirectionsBeaver Beachsand · 4.6 km from town
DirectionsOpenStreetMap maps 95 km of coastline within 5 km. OpenStreetMap shows 21 more, nameless. Beach water tests aren’t published as open data across Canada, so swimming advisories come from the local health unit.
Source: OpenStreetMap (natural=beach), © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Things to do
Central Saanich has 17 viewpoints within 2 km
Viewpoints, peaks, waterfalls, picnic sites, nature reserves, playgrounds, dog parks, campsites and boat launches mapped within 2 km of the town.
The most common are playgrounds: 21 on the map. For a climb, Mount Newton rises to 305 m.
Every named place, with directions
Viewpoints 17
Bog Gardenin town
DirectionsCy's Viewpointin town
DirectionsRose Fountain Viewpointin town
DirectionsPickles' Bluff0.0 km from town
DirectionsWest Viewpoint0.1 km from town
DirectionsAbraham Collins' Lookout0.2 km from town
DirectionsPlus 11 viewpoints without a name on the map.
Hills and peaks 4
Mount Newton305 m · 0.2 km from town
DirectionsBear Hill220 m · 0.5 km from town
DirectionsPartridge Hills295 m · 1.0 km from town
DirectionsCole Hill266 m · 1.0 km from town
DirectionsPlaygrounds 21
Plus 21 playgrounds without a name on the map.
Campsites 1
Island View Beach Regional Park Campgroundin town
DirectionsSource: OpenStreetMap (tourism, natural, waterway and leisure tags), © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Gardens to visit
A historic garden or park in Central Saanich
Gardens and arboretums within 15 km of the town’s edge, and the historic gardens, parks and estates in the town itself, nearest first.
Butchart GardensNational Historic Site · from 1904 · In Central Saanich
Its pageButchart Gardens goes back furthest, to 1904. Parks Canada lists one as a National Historic Site.
Sources: OpenStreetMap (leisure=garden), © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL, and Wikidata (CC0), as gathered in TownRatings’ Canadian attractions set; historic places from Parks Canada’s Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, the Canadian Register of Historic Places and Québec’s Répertoire du patrimoine culturel.
Next door
Next to Central Saanich
The nearest places, coloured by the share of the land within 10 km that is protected; tap one for its outdoors page.
East Saanich 2HighlandsSidneyNorth SaanichSaanichElectoral Area A, Cowichan ValleyCentral Saanich
Under 1%1–5%5–15%15–40%40%+
| Town | Protected within 10 km | Areas | Routes | Beaches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Saanich | 9.2% | 35 | 2 | 29 |
| East Saanich 2 3.5 km | 9.4% | 21 | 0 | 2 |
| Highlands 7.5 km | 24% | 40 | 0 | 18 |
| Sidney 9.4 km | 7% | 22 | 0 | 7 |
| North Saanich 10 km | 9.2% | 37 | 0 | 24 |
| Saanich 12 km | 11% | 43 | 7 | 56 |
| Electoral Area A, Cowichan Valley 12 km | 23% | 58 | 4 | 24 |
Around Highlands and Electoral Area A, Cowichan Valley the protected share is at least double. More routes are mapped around Saanich (7).
How to read these numbers
What this data can and can’t tell you
- Private land. CPCAD includes conservation land held privately; the page counts it and leaves the names out.
- Beaches. Beaches are OpenStreetMap’s, named or not; in the north many are unnamed shoreline imports.
- Protected land. Measured on CPCAD’s outlines: the part of a 10 km band around the town that lies in a protected or conserved area, water included.
- National and provincial parks. The nearest national park and the nearest provincial park are always shown when they are within 100 km.
- Walking routes. A route counts when 300 m or more of it lies within 2 km of the town. Coverage of trails on OpenStreetMap varies by region.
Questions about the outdoors in Central Saanich
Are there hiking trails near Central Saanich?
Try the Brentwood Bay Seaside Walk and Interurban Rail Trail; more are on the map.
Is there a beach near Central Saanich?
The nearest is Water Ski Beach, 1.6 km from town.
Is there a provincial park near Central Saanich?
Ƚáu,Welṉew̱/John Dean Park touches the town.
How much land around Central Saanich is protected?
Yes: 9.2% of the land within 10 km is protected.
What is the largest protected area near Central Saanich?
It is Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, a national park reserve covering 6,731 ha.
How far is Central Saanich from a national park?
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is closest, at 3.5 km.
When is the best time for walking in Central Saanich?
May to September: long days, mild highs and little rain.
Sources
Where Central Saanich’s outdoors figures come from
Protected areas: Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD) 2.9.0, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2026: every area within 10 km and the nearest national and provincial parks, measured outline to outline.
Walking routes and beaches: OpenStreetMap, November 2026: named hiking, foot and walking route relations within 2 km and beaches within 5 km.
Towns: Statistics Canada 2021 Census boundaries and populations; the comparison is the Canadian towns and neighbourhoods of 2,500+, not city hubs or reserves.
When to go: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020, from the nearest station that publishes them.
Gardens: OpenStreetMap (leisure=garden) and Wikidata gardens within 15 km, as gathered in TownRatings’ Canadian attractions set; historic gardens and parks from Canada’s heritage registers (Parks Canada DFHD, the Canadian Register of Historic Places, Québec’s Répertoire du patrimoine culturel).
Green space, paths, woods, things to do: OpenStreetMap (Geofabrik’s Canada extract), November 2026: parks, gardens, playing fields, woods, footpaths, the coastline and things to do in and around each town.
Residents: Statistics Canada 2021 Census dissemination areas (population, boundaries), each at a point inside it.
Walking routes and beaches © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence (ODbL).
Not on this page: trailheads and trail grades, and beach water quality. No open Canadian dataset gives these for every town yet.
Adapted from Statistics Canada (Census of Population 2021, population estimates 2025, 2021 census boundaries) under the Statistics Canada Open Licence; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada. Neighbourhood names in some cities © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).