Mount Galiano hike pays off with outstanding Gulf Islands views (photos)

Hikers heading to Galiano Island often take a vehicle with them on the ferry and make it an overnight affair. But if you stick to the southern end of the island, you can go as a foot passenger and do it as day trip.

Last weekend, we rode the ferry from Tsawwassen to Sturdies Bay, and hiked to Mount Galiano and Bluffs Park. We followed the Sturdies Bay Trail (which starts just 10 minutes up Sturdies Bay Road) briefly, before crossing Bluffs Park, taking the Grace Trail through private land, and ascending the upper part of the Mount Galiano Trail.

Bald eagles and spectacular vistas greeted us at the viewpoint on top of Mount Galiano. The scenery included Mayne, North Pender, Prevost, and Salt Spring islands, as well as ferries sailing in and out of Active Pass.

After soaking up the sun for a while, we descended the whole Mount Galiano Trail and walked roads back to Bluffs Park, where we enjoyed the views from its lovely bluff-top trail. Warbler Road and connecting paths led us back to the Sturdies Bay trailhead.

The hike to Mount Galiano took two hours up, and the round trip lasted a leisurely six hours.