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50 Best Dog Walks/Hikes Around Victoria

by Leo Buijs

130 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-0964; ISBN 1-4120-0595-7; US$16.00, C$18.95, EUR13.00, £9.50

50 mostly easy to moderate dog-friendly walks/hikes around Victoria and from Sooke to Parksville, especially for dog-owners. Including quick reference information on Best Swimming Holes, Beaches, parking fees and dog-restrictions/admissions.

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about the book      about the author      excerpts      catalogue info

About the Book If you want to know Where can I walk my dog off-leash in a park? How difficult is that hike for the dog and me? Which beaches are accessible for dog running? Where can my dog and I go for an afternoon walk or a swim? Which parks do not charge parking fees? What are the best dog-walks/hikes on the Island? Are there hazards on the trails? 50 BEST DOG WALKS/HIKES covers all the answers by reviewing 50 mostly easy to moderate walks/hikes especially designed for dog-lovers that live or visit Vancouver Island. Descriptions list all the pros and cons, including parking or admission fees, urban or country settings, beaches and parks where our lovable canines are always welcome one way or another. The author and his dog, Jazz, take you to the best walks, hikes, swimming holes and beaches around Victoria, West to Port Renfrew, North, around Duncan, the Nanaimo area to Parksville and east, to some of the Gulf Islands and the Saanich Peninsula. This guidebook simply clears up the confusion around the different 'dog-rulings/regulations' in the jurisdictions on Southeastern Vancouver Island and can be a helpful planning tool for locals, travelers and tourists in this area that like to take their dog to places where they are welcome. The book promotes responsible behavior that will raise respect amongst owners and non-dog owners in an attempt to secure favorable dog regulations in our parks. Reviews 50 Best Dog Walks/Hikes not only outlines the best places to walk Rover around Victoria and parts of southeastern Vancouver Island, it also offers basic information to keep both people and pets on the right path when they venture into the great outdoors. The Times Colonist The slim, self-published volume is the perfect companion for dog owners fed up with taking their pets on the same old trek every day. It introduces -in detail- a number of great hikes in and around Victoria and southeastern Vancouver Island(stretching all the way north to Qualicum Beach). 50 Best Dog Walks/Hikes is an authoritative book that not only gives the dog walker a list of top places to visit, but offers tips on dog ownership (and especially ownership etiquette). The book includes trail maps, directions on how to get there, information on the difficulty of the route, some history of the area, whether swimming is available for Fido, plus a rating system ("five bones" is tops). Oak Bay News

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About the Author Born in the Netherlands, Leo Buijs immigrated to Canada in 1978, with his wife and two boys. He lives with his wife and golden retriever, Jazz, in Victoria, BC Canada and is member of the Canadian Science Writers Association. His foremost passion is travel. He has travelled all the continents but Australia and Antarctica. He also loves to sail and write. His most recent articles were placed in 'Trips and Journeys,' an e-zine, based in Winston- Salem, NC. 'The Gringo Gazette,' an English language paper in Baja California and 'The Caplet' a monthly Pharmacy newsletter in BC. In 1999, he was featured in the June issue of Boulevard Magazine with winning photographs from Africa and South America.

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Excerpts

Introduction

Why another walking/hiking book for Victoria and Southeastern Vancouver Island?

Most hiking books that are on the market today are either for serious backcountry hiking or cover easier family hikes in parks that are not accessible for dogs. Besides this, there have been many changes recently in park and beach regulations pertaining dogs. Some of these regulations have become stricter. Others are loosening up in ways that allow dogs off-leash at times or in certain areas.

For many dog owners this has become very confusing and on top of that, many parks now charge parking fees. This guide is an honest attempt to clarify the current status of the best 50 dog-walks or hikes around Victoria and Southeastern Vancouver Island, regardless of whether they are in public parks or elsewhere. My descriptions list all the pros and cons, including any parking or admission fees and restrictions for dogs. Therefore, this guide can be a helpful planning tool for locals, travelers and tourists in this area that like to take their dog to places where they are welcome.

This guidebook deals mostly with easy to moderate level walking/hiking in urban and country settings, beaches and parks where our lovable canines are always welcome one way or another.

What to expect in this book

I have tried to make this book as practical as possible. Besides "to-the- point" description of the best 50 dog walks/hikes around Victoria and Southeastern part of Vancouver Island, this guidebook also covers safety and behavioral aspects as well as hints on car travel with 'Fido.'

The 50 walks/hikes are divided in five logical regions. The first region, marked with a V are all in or around Greater Victoria. The second group, marked P for Peninsula, covers walks/hikes on or near the Saanich Peninsula. Next is the Western section, marked W, located between Victoria and Port Renfrew. The following region, marked D for Duncan, are hikes north of the Malahat and around the Duncan area. Last but not least, are the hikes marked N for Nanaimo, covering that area and up to Parksville and Qualicum Beach.
A sub-classification of the "10 Best of the Best" are listed in the back of the guide. You will also find there a listing of the "Best Beaches" to run your dog and the the "Best Swimming Holes."

Let's take that dog for a hike

You have been looking through this guide, found a few hikes that are close to your place and want to take advantage of the nice weather you have right now. Before you put on the dog's collar and get the car fired up, let's have a look at a few important aspects to make this hiking with your dog a success.

Is your dog up to it?
Hiking is a fantastic way of preventing some physical and behavioral problems. Just as with humans, a large number of dogs are suffering from overweight. Obviously, running with you up trails and beaches, jumping in lakes and ocean surely is a great way of taking these extra pounds off, while healthy dogs will maintain their good condition longer. The exercise from the hike will avoid destructive habits simply by change of scenery and tiredness while you as dog owner will get a better owner/dog relationship.

Is your dog of the right breed? While most dogs love to go out with their bosses, not all dogs are suited to substantial hikes. How long you like to make the hike depends on the size and character of your dog or hound. Working dogs like Malamutes or Shepherds, hounds like the Greyhound, and sporting dogs such as Spaniels, and Retrievers can easily endure longer hikes.
If you haven't chosen your hiking companion, keep in mind what sort of hiking you would like to do and take your pick accordingly.

Train your dog before that big hike.
Just as we humans need to train for a 10 K run, so does your four-legged companion, even if it is just for a two to three hour hike. Depending on the activity level of your dog ...

Who Is Getting Exercised

While it is imperative for your dog's good health to be exercised on a regular basis, we, as dog owners will also benefit from a sturdy regimen. Veterinarians quote in general that about 25 to 40 percent of dogs are obese and while it might have something to do with the food; most of it is due to lack of enough exercise.

Typically, dogs that are most prone to being overweight are often the type that are very suitable to hiking or running. These prone types are Labradors, Retrievers, Dachshunds, Beagles, Cairn Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs and Basset Hounds; they will benefit most from the exercise from hiking.

Therefore, let's look at what the effects are and keep in mind what is good for your dog is even better for us. Exercise from hiking has many benefits. It not only reduces weight by burning calories but it also:

Strengthens respiratory and circulatory systems

Helps to get oxygen into tissue cells

Keeps muscles toned and joints flexible

Releases energy, relieves boredom, and keeps the mind active

Aids in digestion

University studies have revealed that the health of dog owners is generally better than that of non-dog owners. Differences are lower blood pressure, triglyceride and cholesterol levels, which might relate to the reduced rate of heart attacks and general need of medical care.

Don't get your hopes up, but I believe that hiking dog owners should qualify for reduced life insurance rates, just as non-smokers do. Until that happens, let's seize the benefits and have our personal canine trainer take us out frequently.

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Catalogue Information

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