VICTORIA TRAIL TREKKERS

THE VICTORIA TRAIL TREKKERS-IMPRESSIONS ON THE GREAT CANADIAN HIKE 2026

We did it! We walked across Canada!  What a feat! I thought it would be nice to hear the various impressions of the Great Canadian Hike 2026 from some of our team as we all dip our feet in the Atlantic! Our team has collectively completed our Great Canadian Hike across Canada from Victoria, British Columbia, right through to Cape Spear, Newfoundland far surpassing our goal of travelling across British Columbia. Congratulations Victoria Trail Trekkers! What a privilege it has been to lead such a remarkable team of generous outdoor enthusiasts! Thank you all so much! —Bianca Message, Team Leader

“Walking, hiking, biking, exploring…. Every outdoor activity I experience in our beautiful Canadian landscape is an adventure that leaves me energized and smiling. I truly believe it strengthens the physical and mental wellbeing of those that experience it. 

I am so grateful to my community of friends and family for supporting this fundraiser. It truly means the world to me, to have such like-minded friends in my life!! ♥”  —Irene Schamhart

“Heading back up Oak Haven momentarily.” —Jeremy Gye

 “Thanks so much to our team leader and coordinator Bianca Message for making this possible. 

Having a goal definitely helps to push you to do more fitness and be mindful of the fabulous opportunities for the outdoors we have in Canada.  

It’s been great being part of the Victoria Trail Trekkers and I hope this will become an annual event on people's calendars like the CIBC Run for the Cure. We need more community building opportunities like this for young and old. 

I would like to know if the Great Canadian Hike Association will be accountable for sending a report out to the teams, letting them know how their donations were used and what part of the trail was made more accessible, updated or repaired. 

Thanks team.” —Yvette André

 

“1. I wasn't aware of the coast-to-coast-to-coast Trans Canada Trail before participating in this fundraising venture -- it's a national treasure and I'm honoured to support this registered charity!

2. Until I started counting steps and tracking kilometres I had no idea how far I 'travel' everyday without actually being out on a trail "hiking" -- qu'elle surprise!

3. I am not a 'joiner' per se, but as a result of my lifelong friendship with the indefatigable Team Captain of the Victoria Trail Trekkers -- Bianca Message -- my experience has been rewarding, surprising and energizing.” —Madelaine Clarke

 “I’ve very much enjoyed being part of this challenge and on such a great team. It has motivated me to get out there even on days when I did not particularly want to walk. I would love to do the entire TCT one day and having it always present in my thoughts has made my determination to do that even stronger.

Also, a tip for anyone who has Strava - you can set it up so that it automatically logs any activity you do in Strava, so that made the tracking very easy.” —Megan Coyle 

“Well, as I said, we can all dip our toes in the Atlantic, and I wish I could take you all for a Lobster dinner cooked right there on the headland. Imagine that… 

Bill’s got the fire crackling on the rocks, tucked out of the wind…

A large pot (or 3) of water boils as Charles prepares the sauce and the Lobsters cook to perfection. 

Maybe there are choice bottles of wine, or some prefer a hearty east coast beer…

Maybe others want a nice warm cuppa or a sumptuous dram to hold as they watch the fire dance and the evening autumn air comes in with a chill.

Breathe in our moment.

You’re all quite amazing…

I know, I say that a lot. But it is true.

Thank you all for your incredible generosity with your time and finances to help the Trans Canada Trail!” —Bianca Message, Victoria Trail Trekkers, Team Leader

THE PENULTIMATE EVENING

By Victoria Trail Trekkers Team Member—Bill Message

Tomorrow marks the end of the 2026 edition of The Great Hike.

The Victoria Trail Trekkers find themselves more than halfway across our most easterly province. The final push to cross the entire country of Canada is on.

Back in the summer of 1980 I was traveling solo across Canada in a tired Toyota pickup that had developed a serious thirst for oil. I made it to the Port aux Basques ferry terminal and decided that, having come that far, I needed to make the crossing and set foot in Newfoundland. I had mail waiting for me in Corner Brook, addressed to me via “General Delivery”, and I wanted to collect it. Once I had done that I drove as far east as I could get, arriving at Cape Spear lighthouse on the easterly most point in Canada.

I have only a couple of grainy photos to commemorate the occasion. By using a quick bit of digital editing I am able to place myself in the photo that shows I had reached this milestone.

I never thought I’d ever get back to Cape Spear with its old lighthouse standing by the sea. But maybe tomorrow I will return, on foot, with all of you good Trekkers. I think we’ll make it!

REFLECTING ON THE GREAT HIKE

By Victoria Trail Trekkers Team Member—Bill Message

LAST VICTORIA TRAIL TREKKERS TRAIL TIP FOR 2026-BOOT BRUSH FOR MUD

If you are training for a distance walk it is essential to get used to walking in the rain, as it might just be the conditions you face on the trail.

We walked the length of Wales during the wettest spring on record in the UK—2024. Just before leaving Chepstow a fellow walker who had just finished the trail gave us a helpful tip. “This end of the trail is very muddy. Get a little nailbrush at the pound [dollar] store. It’ll save you.” We did exactly as he advised and he was right. After spending days walking shin-deep in mud and cow patties the little plastic brush earned its place as a key piece of kit [gear] helping us clean up our boots each night. When we had almost reached then end of the trail in Prestatyn we came upon a fresh, clean walker, just starting out. We gave him our little boot brush, and shared the little trail tip that had helped us so much. I hope it helps you too.

MORE ON TRAIL ACCESSIBILITY—GET TO KNOW OUR TEAM MATE: KRISTEN HARVEY

I had the privilege to ask Kristen a few questions about the importance of trail accessibility. I hope our conversation helps bring more awareness and understanding for the needs of our disabled communities. 

Have you always enjoyed the outdoors?

Pre-accident, the outdoors was a special place for me. I had an intimate relationship with the outdoors. If I could be outside 24/7 I would be. Hiking, walking, or on the beach… I would look for any sliver of fresh air and sunshine; it would make me happy. I remember a late night out with friends, I grew up in Manitoba, and I would go to the back yard and lay on the picnic table and look at the Northern Lights and the stars… during the day I look at the clouds.

Can you share about how, or if, your accident changed your relationship with nature?

My relationship with nature changed profoundly. It was something I had to mourn and continue to mourn. It's a relationship you have. I don’t think I took it for granted when I was able-bodied. But now the mechanism to enjoy the outdoors is much more structured and constricted. 

What makes a trail accessible for you?

I’m a quadriplegic. My mobility is limited. You know those mats on beaches out to the water? That would be the only way, in my power chair, I could get to the beach. In my home I have a lift. Yvette has been painting a mural of the ocean [undersea] for me. I want to feel like I could escape in my lift. The bottom is like the bottom of the ocean and the top you can see the sun as though you were in the water looking up at the surface.

The water is very important to me. My dreams were always with me underwater. Just to get to the seaside, to get to the water, that was always important.

Accessible parking is a huge issue because I have a side ramp. Or I need a chevron to park beside. More accessible parking at the trail head in the parking lot would be a huge help. Having wide spaces for handicapped parking would be great. Sometimes I have to park sideways in two spots just to get my ramp out. 

The trail doesn’t have to be paved, but a smooth paved surface in a power chair is nice. If its not paved, it is ok, but if its really rutted or too many hills my chair will start sliding. Elevation is key, but also battery life for distances. But for manual chair users the elevation is critical.

How would you like to see trails made more accessible? 

My wheelchair weighs 450 pounds. So smooth out the trail, maintain it. Gravel, or a forest trail without roots is good, but not the wood-chip stuff. I got so stuck in that. My wheels just spin out in that. That's why the surfaces are really important. I had a few scary times because my chair doesn’t have great ground clearance. It can catch a rock, and I’ve been stuck before. It is so scary.

If there is anything you would like to add, as I’m so ignorant in the area of trail accessibility, I’d love to hear it. My goal is really to help people better understand the need to make trails accessible.

When I look at a trail I can kind of tell if I can make it along or not. People are always willing to help, but if you want to be independent, it is difficult. There have been many, many, many, things that have gone wrong, but you just trouble shoot, and you just figure it out.  But “easy” is not in my vocabulary any more. Life is not “easy” when you are disabled. I need my community and my village to live—my friends, my neighbours, and my professional team around me. But I choose to look at the blessings in my life. I want it to be a good life and happy life. And these are choices you have to make. I feel blessed in so many ways.

POINT ZERO

By Victoria Trail Trekkers Team Member – Bill Message

 

This morning we experienced a momentous occasion. We gathered with some fellow walkers at Point Zero on Clover Point, the most westerly point of The Trans Canada Trail, to celebrate the 2026 Great Hike. 

 

Janis and Matt were there from The TransCanada Trail organization. They greeted us all warmly from their TCT tent and offered up swag of various types. Melanie Vogel was there to share stories and inspiration from her time on the TCT. Melanie was the first woman to complete a continuous hike of the entire TCT, finishing her adventure in November 2022. 

 

With just 4 more days left to complete the 2026 Great Hike this was a great opportunity to meet some fellow walkers and get ready to cross the finish line. 

GREAT CANADIAN WALK-TRAIL WALK EVENT VICTORIA BC

Today folks from around greater Victoria gathered near Mile Zero and walked to Point Zero—the western start/finish point of the Trans Canada Trail.  The Victoria Trail Trekkers only had a few of us there. After the walk and the prize draw I was interviewed by Janis from the TCT Society. These are her questions and my answers.

What do you love most about the Trail?

I love that the TCT is a unifying symbol, created in nature. It doesn’t struggle with politics, religion, or culture, it is the trail, and it unites this land and us, no matter what we believe, or when and how we came to this amazing country we call home. 

Do you have a favourite Trail memory?

For years I’ve wanted to do a stretch of the TCT that goes into the Sooke Hills Wilderness. Near the beginning of the Great Canadian Hike my husband and I were able to finally do this section with our Nephew and his son. We made it up to the suspension bridge over Niagara Creek and had a picnic. Then Bill and I carried on up Wolf Mountain. The depth of the forest was magical. The trail is in excellent condition in this section.

What inspired you to fundraise for TCT?

Two things: 

1. I feel strongly that the TCT has so much potential to become so much more than it already is. It feels like an untapped resource. So much more tourism infrastructure could be developed to promote the use of the trail. The world out there wants to see Canada’s wilderness. I’d love to write a proposal filled with the many ways other countries have developed infrastructure around their trails. 

2. The importance of this symbol of unification is something I want all Canadians to know about. Its something I want the world to see.

Why should others fundraise for TCT?                           

As well as for what I just mentioned, during the process of fundraising I learned so much about the importance of trail accessibility. My friend Sebastian is a bilateral amputee; One of my sister’s best friends lives with paralysis, and my new friend from Power to be, Jasmine, also uses a wheelchair. I learned that there is an entire community out there that wants to experience nature, and we should help them do exactly that, by fundraising to make the trail more accessible.

What can you say about the TCT in your area?            

The TCT on Vancouver Island goes from Victoria to Nanaimo. It is beautiful! Come check it out!

WALKING IN THE RAIN

At this time of year, with these first rains of autumn, the earth smells so fragrant, so rich. I love walking in the rain.

We are west coast kids. We were brought up roaming the beaches scattered around the peninsula and on our outer west coast. Growing up in the 60s, our parents set us outside to play in any and all weather. A rainy day did not mean you were confined to indoors. Instead it meant mushroom hunting in the Fall, romping through wet sand on summer days soaked with west coast rain, or working in the vegetable garden. Walking or hiking in the rain was just something you planned for and did. Nothing stopped because it was raining.

GET TO KNOW OUR TEAM MATE: MARY GRANT

Mary is a distance walker. She says she “is on the dark side of 70”. She has done five Caminos. The Frances, Del Norte twice, and the Portugues twice. When I asked Mary to join the Victoria Trail Trekkers I knew by having Mary join us, we were “stacking the team.” Mary has also done England’s Coast to Coast Path, and the Cotswolds.

She loves walking, and especially loves walking with Bramble, her labradoodle.

When asked what it is about walking that appeals to her, she explained, “I love the social side of walking. It’s not just striding; it is an opportunity to get fit, meet people and have good conversation as well. It is also a very spiritual occupation, you can go within yourself, as well as being in the beauty. When I finish a walk I feel considerably more uplifted. When walking you can find solace, gratitude, beauty and friendship.”

THE MOST DIRECT TCT ROUTE ACROSS CANADA

Today our team has travelled over 4,300 kms across Canada!

The TCT’s most direct route across Canada, following Trailforks cycling guide, not including ferries, or side routes up to the Arctic Ocean, is 6594.8 kms from Victoria to Cape Spear Lighthouse in Newfoundland—mile zero to mile zero!

So far, our Victoria Trail Trekkers Team has hiked/walked farther than any team in Canada!

As I look at our team’s accomplishments, many have surpassed their distance goals, and some, their fundraising goals! I started thinking about how far this team has come and, well, I actually gloated a wee bit.

Just imagine, we have already made it farther than the:

• Pacific Crest Trail’s 4,270 kms

• The Appalachian Trail’s 3,540 kms

• Spain's Camino del Norte’s 820 kms (Done by our Camino Queen Mary Grant numerous times, among other Caminos and distance walks)

• New Zealand's Milford Track’s 53.5 kms (one of my life goals)

• England’s Coast to Coast Path’s 305 kms (Done by our team members Nancy DiCastri, Chriss Ball, Mary Grant, and is one of Bill’s goals)

• Wale’s Offa’s Dyke Path’s 285 kms (Our 40th Anniversary walk in 2024)

• Scotland’s Great Glen Way’s 127 kms. (My Cancer Victory walk in 2023)

• Great Britain’s Lands End to John O’Groats’ 1,407 kms.

• France’s Long Distance Trail HexaTrek or “L’Hexagone” is 3,034 kms. (Yvette walked part of this at Carcassonne a few weeks ago!)

• Italy’s Way of St. Francis’ 1,500 kms.

 

I think if we all really give an extra effort this week we can make it all the way across Canada! Let’s reach this goal together! Go Team GO!

VICTORIA TRAIL TREKKERS TRAIL TIPS – EASY TO PACK ENERGY

I love new discoveries—especially when it involves food. Healthy food. 

Bill discovered Sun River Honey Energy Gels. These are not an energy shot that sends your heart racing like a Red Bull chemical concoction, but rather pure honey with natural additional ingredients that are easy on your stomach. Ginger lemon, Orange Cream, Key Lime, Cinnamon Bun… to name just a few of the delicious flavours.

Sun River Honey Farm is located just west of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It is owned by a young family and their story is beautiful. Check out their website: https://sunriverhoney.com/collections/energy-gels

The other perfect snack for a hike is SunRype Fruit Source Bars. Here’s their link: https://sunrype.ca/our-products/fruitsource/   They too are 100 percent Canadian, based in Kelowna, BC. Their bars are thick, chewy and delicious made up of various fruits and sometimes veggies. Both of these are perfect to give you that extra bit of energy you need to keep you going on the trail.

30 DAYS HATH SEPTEMBER…

By Victoria Trail Trekkers Team Member – Bill Message 

Yesterday was September 20th. It was the two thirds mark for The 2026 Great Canadian Hike.  

I didn’t know what to expect from participating in this venture, but I’m really happy to be a part of the Victoria Trail Trekkers. I know a lot of my teammates but I don’t know all of them. What is encouraging to me is to sign in each day (OK, more than once each day, to be truthful) and see how many kilometres different people have recorded and how much money has been raised. 

It blows me away that our team of walker/cyclers have combined their distances to travel clear across four provinces and well into a fifth province!  And there are 10 more days to add to that total number. 

 They say autumn is a beautiful time to visit the Maritimes to see all the amazing fall colours. I say, to all the good people on the Victoria Trail Trekkers, let’s carry on trekking and find out for ourselves!

WHERE THE FOREST MEETS THE SEA: WHY HIKING THE WEST COAST MATTERS TO ME

Written By Victoria Trail Trekkers Team Member – Irene Schamhart 

MCCULLOCH TRESTLE TO ARAWANA STATION

I’ve seen it on the map for a number of years. It was a hope and a dream. Would life ever allow us to walk this stretch of the TCT? Today we did. Since it was a Saturday afternoon we should have expected it to be busy. Cyclists whizzed by us. E-bikes, e-scooters, e-dirt bikes—all at speed! We commented to one another that by walking we could better enjoy the colours and shadows on the rocks and surrounding landscape. We stopped at one or two of the well-located benches to rest and take in the spectacular views of Okanagan Lake and the Naramata vineyards.  As the trail led us between two rocky outcrops I saw movement out of the corner of my eye—whoa! There was an adolescent rattlesnake slowly meandering across the trail!  A short  while later a couple that had passed us on “real bikes” had stopped to warn us about a small rattlesnake curled up in the middle of the trail. The gentleman was a local and was determined to get the young snake to safety. “Considered yourselves blessed to see two rattlers. They’re endangered because people keep killing them because their bite is poisonous.” He then picked up a stick and carefully lifted the snake off the path and moved it to safety. After that Bill and I kept a sharp eye the rest of the way to Arawana Station.  There is a shelter along the way as well as toilets at just the right time.  On our way back to McCulloch Trestle we saw one more adolescent rattlesnake. We felt very blessed on our walk today. 

IS IT A WALK IN SPAIN? NO. ITS THE TCT IN BC

Today’s walk found us walking out of Penticton and up along the ridge overlooking the town and Okanagan Lake. The light chalky-clay cliffs and arid climate made us feel like we could be walking somewhere in Spain. As we walked past vineyards heavy with this year’s crops, the TCT felt more like the Camino. A taste of Europe in our own backyard—beautiful!

DISCOVERING MORE ABOUT CANADA DURING THE GREAT CANADIAN HIKE

I thought I knew a fair bit about our great country’s geography and varied habitats. But each evening, as I enter my kms for the day, I try to study how far our team has come. We galloped across BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan! We’re about halfway across Manitoba and as I study the map through Ontario  I see the trail turns to water. So much of the TCT in Ontario appears to be a water path. Interesting. I loved grade 5 Social Studies and learning about the voyageurs, but I never thought that the Trans Canada Trail would  be so encompassing of our history.  What a delight to share the Great Canadian Hike with so many. Certainly a wonderful sense of national pride and gratitude overflows as we participate in the great Canadian Hike!

TCT AND KETTLE VALLEY RAILWAY-STRENGTH IN COLLABORATION

The  TCT  is “right there”.  If you pull over at the A&W across from the archway welcoming you to Princeton, you will find a lovely trail that parallels the Similkamean River.  Continue on the trail heading  west for approximately 2 kms and you will come to the lite Princeton Tunnel. It is said to be 1000 feet long.  Built in 1961, the construction is still awe inspiring.  Continue a short distance farther and sadly the bridge over the Tulameen River is out. We hope our fundraising efforts will help pay for its repair. 

15 DAYS AND ALMOST ACROSS SASKATCHEWAN!

Well the Victoria Trail Trekkers are really clocking the kilometers now!! We’re half way through The Great Canadian Hike and we are just shy of the Manitoba border! Our kms take us to Yorkton, Saskatchewan.  CONGRATULATIONS Trail Trekkers!  Keep up the great work!!

FABULOUS FALL RIDE

Written by  By Victoria Trail Trekkers Team Member – Cheryl Harper

What a glorious late summer (still holding on that it’s summer) early fall ride.   Sunny day with just a hint of a breeze and open trails all the way from my home to the downtown inner core. So lucky to have the trail accessible for completing my everyday chores while enjoying time out in nature.

GET TO KNOW OUR TEAM MATE: CHARLES ANDRE

Charles’ 40 year career as a stunt man and stunt actor has taken him through many twists and turns in life. From early days working with Johnny Depp in Vancouver to jumping off buildings, fight scenes with Brad Pitt and Robert De Niro (just to name a few), his body has taken some hard hits. He is now teaching, stunt coordinating, and writing his book. You can find out more about Charles on his website: fasttraxfilmcorp.ca.

He can no longer do stunts but enjoys his daily walk on the Trans Canada Trail.

VICTORIA TRAIL TREKKERS TRAIL TIPS - MENTAL TOUGHNESS

Distance walks need physical fitness—we all know that! But the other thing they need is mental toughness. This is something you can also train for. We’ve walked across England. We’ve walked across Scotland. Both were beautiful and gave us a new sense of freedom. Then we walked the length of Wales. This tested us more than any other walk. Soaking feet day after day; mud mixed with cow patties—easily mid-calf deep; rain and wind that whips your voice away; blisters that tear the flesh off your heels… all this and more! No level of fitness prepares you for these trail challenges. But if you train by: walking in all weather conditions; walk when you are already exhausted; walk when you really don’t feel like it… this effort will pay off, as you will be able to emotionally and psychologically handle the difficult days. Or, at least, they won’t seem as bad.

ALREADY HALFWAY ACROSS ALBERTA!

We’ve cleared the majestic Rocky Mountains, walked through the crystal rivers and creeks of Alberta’s beautiful Foothills, and have headed north to Edmonton. The trail splits here. We could head farther north and aim for the Arctic Ocean, which might be a fun idea, as the TCT is from coast to coast to coast! That said, one of our walkers said, “but it would be such a feather in our cap to make it all the way across Canada.” Well yes, it would indeed. Let’s try it! Either way, we’ve already far exceeded both our goals. Thank you Victoria Trail Trekkers! You’re the best! Keep on trekking!

VICTORIA TRAIL TREKKERS TRAIL TIPS

We’re over 100 kms into Alberta! Way to go Team! The TCT takes us north up through Banff and into Canmore. The mountains are spectacular here and anyone visiting Canada should definitely visit Canmore! But what about snacks and trail food? I love it when people share their hiking tips, so here are a couple of my own.

Made in the Cowichan Valley at Fat Chili Farm, WEST COAST KITCHEN has excellent freeze-dried meals. They are delicious epicurean delights. No, this is not your typical sawdust with seasoning, not at all. The chillies and veggies are grown on the farm itself. The Persian flavours are superb! Shani and his team take trail food to a whole other level! Here’s the link: https://www.westcoastkitchen.ca/

 Then there are snacks! ISLAND JERKY made in Sidney, BC creates perfect pack sized snacks for the trail! Tender beyond belief, you can get a variety of jerkies, charcuterie, or succulent tidbits of jerky, which is my favourite. Here’s the link: https://islandjerkysidney.com/

None of the items I’m promoting are paid benefit type-things, I’m just sharing what we love when we’re on the trail. I hope you enjoy them as well.

 

STANDING ON THE BORDER

I can see it. We’re actually there. Nancy has logged over100 kms but there is some kind of technical glitch and her kms are not showing on the team page! So for tonight I’ll stand on the border of British Columbia and Alberta and wave. We’ll officially step into Alberta tomorrow… but we all know we’ve met our goal tonight!

Nine days in and we’ve done it!  Congratulations amazing Trail Trekkers! Let’s see how far across Canada we can get in the next 21 days!

TCT SWAG—NOT MUCH, BUT IT IS EXCELLENT!

I’m a gear junky. I admit it. I think when distance walking, hiking, camping—going on any adventure—if you’ve got the right gear it makes all the difference. I also like a pin or a sew-on patch for my pack saying I’ve completed a trail. It’s a memento, a little reward. In the UK the National Trails have both online and physical shops selling swag to promote their trails.

I’ve looked for Trans Canada Trail swag in Tourist Information Centres across BC—nothing! No sew-on patches for your packs. No t-shirts. No maps! Except in the Kettle Valley. They have maps. Excellent maps. But they only say Kettle Valley Rail Trail and the folks behind the counters across our fine province have barely heard of the TCT if at all. Again, Kettle Valley definitely knew the most. All the more reason we need to increase awareness of the TCT in BC.

 But what about that swag? I found the only thing available that I could buy to boast about—I mean, promote—the Trans Canada Trail, were socks. Well, when I found out they were 100% made in Canada by The Great Canadian Sock Company, I ordered two pairs. The are 75% merino, 20% nylon, 5% lycra. They are fantastic! So I ordered 5 more pairs. I highly recommend them! The Great Canadian Sock Company donates 20% of the proceeds from every pair of socks sold to help support the Trans Canada Trail. Now, that is an arrangement I’d love to see with more Canadian companies.

SOMETIMES WE'RE JUST CLOCKING THE KILOMETRES

As much as I’d like to be on the TCT every day, some days we just can’t get there. The beautiful thing about Vancouver Island is that we have many parks and so much beauty. Today, we just needed to get walking and clock the kilometres and see how far “across British Columbia” we could get. Keep on Trekking Victoria Trail Trekkers! We’ve almost reached our distance goal! We’re almost “across British Columbia!”

GET TO KNOW OUR TEAM MATE: SEBASTIAN CORBY

It’s usually when I’m sipping my morning coffee I see Seb’s email. “I just did 10 kms this morning.” He’s already been up and out. Four days into the Great Canadian Hike he emails me, “I have done 74.51 KM of distance on the Batec Scrambler 2. This adapter fits onto his wheelchair turning it into an e-bike of sorts. Seb heads off to the trails near Royal Roads each morning. Before his accident Seb was an exceptional skateboarder. At a young age he was doing technical jumps and moves with some of the top skateboarders in Hainan, China. He has just started creating a clothing line with his designs inspired by the early skateboard culture. Check out ancient-wear.ca Seb and his incredible network have been a great help to me as I learn more and more about making the Trans Canada Trail accessible. Keep rolling Seb, you’re an inspiration!

SOOKE HILLS WILDERNESS AREA: WOLF MOUNTAIN

Today was the perfect autumnal day for exploring our next section of the TCT. Bill, Matt, Taeho and I headed off from Westhills Park. Matt was going to show us where the elusive TCT was actually located. Turns out there were two critical intersections that did not have TCT signs and that was how Joy and I missed the trail on Wednesday. However, once into Sooke Hills Wilderness area the signage for the TCT is super. As you pass Humpback Road reservoir the trail is in excellent condition. A look out at Waugh Creek enables perfect views of the waterfall in season. The suspension bridge over Niagara Creek is a destination for hikers with young families. The forest is a tapestry of green made up of Douglas fir, cedar, broadleaf maple, spruce, hemlock, and alder. Arbutus greet you as you start to climb up the slopes of Wolf Mountain. I was thrilled to discover the TCT has found a beautiful route away from the highway, which was its earlier iteration in 2008. The climb is steady yet as you reach this side of the unmarked summit, Wolf Mountain does not offer great vistas to the west, but instead enables hikers to have a little taste of being immersed in Vancouver Island’s wilderness. Deep dark pockets of forest provide cool from the early autumn sun. Just past the summit there is a bike rack and a pit toilet immediately to the west of the trail. This is a beautiful and accessible section of the trail.

ROBINSON’S OUTDOOR STORE – QUIETLY ENABLING ACCESSIBILITY

Robinson’s is a family business that has been in Victoria for nearly 100 years. Yes, their service is exceptional, as is their selection of outdoor clothing and gear. But what I didn’t know, when I asked owner Erin Boggs to sponsor our team, was what they had been quietly doing for over 10 years. Erin explained that they are asked for donations and sponsorships multiple times a day. But when I mentioned our fundraising efforts were to go toward trail maintenance and making the TCT more accessible, Erin became very interested. She told me about Power to Be and that they have given donations and helped get individuals outdoors for over 10 years. She then handed me $300 and said, “Trail accessibility is so important! Go for it!”

Power to Be… In an earlier blog post I mentioned my remarkable visit with Jasmine, but in this post I wanted to highlight Robinson’s as they have provided equipment to help Power to Be get people outdoors. A “Mini Robinson’s Outdoor Store” quietly exists behind the scenes, helping our community experience the outdoors. Thank you Erin, Matt and Gail, for helping ensure everyone can open the healing gift that Nature offers.

FIRST DISTANCE GOAL MET: VANCOUVER ISLAND AND BEYOND!

Our first distance goal was for our team to “walk” the length of the TCT on Vancouver Island. That’s 215 kms. Together we’ve done it and beyond! As of time of writing we have clocked 423 kms and have the most distance logged by any team in Canada! It’s only Day 3 and you all have done amazing! Thank you so much! Keep up the great work Trail Trekkers! We’re heading across BC at a fabulous Gallop! We’ve made it to Chilliwack! Let’s see how far we get! Go Team GO!

TRAIL ANGELS

You hear about them, but you wonder these days, do they exist? Today my friend and I were determined to see if we could follow the TCT past the Langford Lake Section.

 

But first, let’s pick up where we left off… Yesterday we left off at the Selkirk Trestle. The route through Colwood is straightforward. Bill and I have walked it before. Its not the most beautiful path to walk, but is great to cycle.

 

The Bruce Obee map (2008) shows the TCT following the highway along the north side of Langford Lake and up the Malahat. The older version, created by Mussio Ventures & Trails BC (a 2001 edition I found in a thrift store which started my first awareness and passion for the TCT) shows a possible future route past Langford Lake through to Goldstream park. This would keep us off Highway 1. We were keen to find it.

 

There has been so much recent housing development that the TCT signage seems to stop at this point. After multiple starts and stops and backtracking we noticed a young man on his bike with loaded panniers. We were tired of false attempts and wanted to get some distance between us and the busy roads. We flagged the fellow down and asked him if he knew where the TCT was. He and his brother were from Denver and were biking part of the Vancouver Island TCT. They were heading to Whistler, so crossing over at Nanaimo. He waved his brother (the navigator) down and they spent a long time trying to find the TCT and then telling us which direction we should go.  Lovely. Perfect timing. Off we went.  Strange. We still felt our direction was wrong so we turned back around one last time.  As we were trudging back up the hill we saw him. “Thank goodness I found you!” he said cheerfully. “I’m so sorry, I sent you in the wrong direction. It’s this way.” We weren’t soaked to the skin or out of food. We weren’t in a life-threatening situation. We just wanted to find the trail and were tired of searching. The fact that he came back, actually concerned about us, setting us on the right path, felt like a blessing. This afternoon we felt a little bit of that kindness known as “Trail Magic”. It reinforced, early in this adventure we call The Great Canadian Hike, that hikers can still have that beautiful way about them—a way of caring for complete strangers. Yes, it was a little trail magic from two young guys from Denver. They were our trail angels today.

 

TRANS CANADA TRAIL MILE ‘0’ – VICTORIA, BC WEST TO EAST

The Great Canadian Hike 2026 has begun! Our team, The Victoria Trail Trekkers, will highlight BC's TCT. Some elements we post we will have walked before, others will be new to us. But we're excited to share our beautiful province via the TCT. Using Bruce Obee’s Official Guide of the Trans Canada Trail for British Columbia our trail adventure begins at Mile ‘0’, on Victoria’s picturesque waterfront, overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Map and images show highlights at dusk along the first leg of the journey. The Dallas Road walk along the waterfront is beautiful, but we could not find any signage indicating the TCT. Fisherman’s wharf has changed a lot over the years and is now a vibrant buzz of tourists. Locals know that Barb’s Fish n Chips is still the best after decades in the same location. The map leads us along the inner harbour, which is beautiful. Over the Johnson Street Bridge and heading north alongside Selkirk waterway there is still no signage until you arrive at the south end of the Selkirk Trestle. Here there is a TCT Kiosk. Here actually feels like the trail is celebrated.

This entire stretch of the trail has excellent cycle paths and is accessible for walkers, rollers, cyclist and paddlers. Enjoy!

FUNDRAISING GOAL EXCEEDED! CONGRATULATIONS TEAM!

Just three weeks into the fundraising and our team has surpassed our goal! Congratulations and thank you to all! We find ourselves currently in second place in all of Canada.  I find this both humbling and motivating! Can we stay there? Let's see how much more we can raise for the TCT. We'll see what the next few days and all of September bring. Our small team is growing and there is a real buzz building as our team gets prepared and ready to start on September 1st. 

COMMUNITY SUPPORT ENCOURAGES OUR TEAM!

THANK YOU to: Adventure Clothing  at 560 Yates Street in Victoria BC who donated 10 pairs of high-end Sockwell socks to encourage our team. The retail value of these socks is $414.90! Thank you Jennifer for your generous donation to our team. They will be cherished, sought after, prizes for goals met in September!

CONNECTIONS BUILD AWARENESS AND MOMENTUM

As I've been reaching out to friends, businesses that we support, and sharing information about the Great Canadian Hike, my girlfriend's son, Sebastian Corby, a bilateral amputee, has joined our team. He has put  me in touch with the Spinal Cord Injury BC non-profit society as well as Bowhead Bikes (an amazing mountain bike especially made for folks with leg paralysis) and the RAD society. My awareness for the need to make the Trans Canada Trail accessible has grown even now, in the earliest stages of team gathering and fundraising efforts. Thank you Sebastian and Stella! I'm learning so much, I hope this event will inspire many.

WALKING THE LENGTH OF BC'S TCT!

The Trans Canada Trail is not just a trail. It's a 30,000-kilometre network that connects people and communities from coast to coast to coast.

We are excited to join the Great Canadian Hike, a nationwide challenge to hike, bike, paddle or roll in support of the Trail. OUR TEAM wants to log 1750 kms, which is the length of the TCT in BC. We want to bring awareness to this great trail in BC as it seems so many folks don't even know it exits. 

From September 1 to 30, we’ll be logging our kilometres, contributing to the national goal of 100,000 kilometres in 30 days, while raising funds to help keep the Trail accessible, safe, and thriving — for everyone, now and for future generations.

PLEASE  sign up to participate, donate to our team, or share our campaign with your network to help spread the word.

Let’s be part of something great — together.