Colwood: Lagoon, Lighthouse and Coastal Fort

Colwood brings together coastal landscapes, bird migration, hiking trails, and places steeped in history. If you’re looking for hotels in Colwood, these highlights can help you decide whether the city suits your travel interests: wildlife watching, time on the trails, or a look at historic sites.

Lagoon and Bird Migration

Esquimalt Lagoon National Migratory Bird Sanctuary is a large, shallow lagoon. A sandbar encloses it, and a tidal channel connects the lagoon to the sea at one point. The sanctuary is one of seven migratory bird sanctuaries in British Columbia and an important stopover for birds migrating between North and South America. Birdwatching and kayaking are among the popular activities at the sanctuary. Two features come together here: the lagoon’s distinctive shape and its importance as a stopover for migrating birds.

Trails Through Forest and City

The Galloping Goose Regional Trail runs through Colwood and connects the city on foot or by bicycle to downtown Victoria and the wider region, without requiring travel on a busy road. Along its 55 km route from Victoria to Sooke, the trail follows a former railway line. This makes it possible to see the trail both as a route through Colwood and as a longer route between Victoria and Sooke.

For a different landscape, visit Havenwood Park: a 40-acre wooded park with a network of well-maintained hiking trails. The Olympic View Trail climbs to a viewpoint above the forest. At Latoria Creek Park, several bridges over the creek complement the well-maintained trails. Each park offers a different destination: at Havenwood Park, the trail leads to a view over the forest, while at Latoria Creek Park, the bridges define the creekside landscape.

Hatley Castle sits on the shore of Esquimalt Lagoon in Colwood and is surrounded by gardens and mature forest. Numerous hiking trails cross the grounds. Shoreline, gardens, and forest come together here, while Hatley Castle offers a different focal point from the trails through the parks.

Fort, Lighthouse, and Local History

Fort Rodd Hill is a 19th-century artillery fort on the West Coast and was in active service from 1895 to 1956. Visitors can explore its three gun batteries, underground ammunition magazines, command posts, guardhouses, barracks, and searchlight positions. Fisgard Lighthouse in Colwood offers a different perspective: it is the oldest lighthouse on Canada’s West Coast. Together, the fort and lighthouse represent different chapters in the history of the coast.

The city’s history is also reflected in several places. The City of Colwood acquired St. John the Baptist Heritage Church in 1993, and it was granted official heritage status. The gravestones at Colwood Pioneer Cemetery record the names of some of Colwood’s founding families. While the church’s heritage status offers a connection to local history, the gravestones preserve the names of founding families.

As you plan your trip, you can weigh these highlights against one another: the lagoon combines scenery with birdwatching and kayaking, the parks offer different hiking trails, and Fort Rodd Hill, Fisgard Lighthouse, the church, and the cemetery introduce different aspects of Colwood’s history. This lets you choose a destination based on the experiences that matter to you during your stay.

Discover more destinations: North Saanich, Sidney, Salt Spring Island, Langford, Mayne, Saanich, Port Renfrew, Sooke

See the broader travel guide: Capital Regional District.