Malahat with Nature and Scenic Experiences

Malahat SkyWalk is located in Malahat, British Columbia. This puts specific nature and scenic experiences at the center of your trip planning: an elevated TreeWalk through the forest, a ten-storey Spiral Tower, and Luke’s Lane Nature Trail at ground level. The experiences differ in elevation, route, and landscape. You can therefore choose how to explore Malahat based on whether you’re most interested in the forest path, the view from the tower, or a ground-level trail through coastal rainforest.

TreeWalk and Spiral Tower

The Malahat SkyWalk experience begins with the elevated TreeWalk. It runs 20 metres above the ground through a mature Arbutus and Douglas fir forest and leads to a ten-storey Spiral Tower. This creates a clear progression from the path through the treetops to the view from the tower. From there, panoramic views extend over Finlayson Arm, Saanich Inlet, the Saanich Peninsula, Gulf Islands, San Juan Islands, Mount Baker, and the Coast Mountain range. These named views encompass waterscapes, islands, a peninsula, and mountains, giving the scenic part of the experience a wide range of landscapes.

Tower, Nature Trail, and Food

The Spiral Tower offers additional perspectives. The 84-square-metre Adventure Net sits high above the forest at the top of the tower and lets you look down through its spiral center. The Malahat SkyWalk Spiral Slide is 20 metres (66 feet) long. At the tower, views of the surroundings, a downward view through the center, and the slide are distinct elements of the experience.

Luke’s Lane Nature Trail offers a different route: the 800-metre gravel path runs at ground level through a mixed coastal rainforest. Compared with the elevated TreeWalk, the trails differ in elevation, surface, and forest composition. The TreeWalk runs 20 metres above the ground through mature Arbutus and Douglas fir forest; Luke’s Lane runs at ground level through mixed coastal rainforest. These features help you compare the two nature experiences based on their actual characteristics.

The Canteen is located in the Tower Plaza at Malahat SkyWalk. It serves smash burgers, George’s famous chili, pizza by the slice, and hot dogs. As the menu may change, check the current offerings before your visit if you’re counting on particular dishes.

Location and Regional Context

Malahat SkyWalk is located on the traditional territory of the Malahat Nation. Yos Pole, an Indigenous-carved pole, is also located in the Malahat area, near Shawnigan Creek Bridge. The drive from Victoria to Malahat SkyWalk is estimated to take about 35 minutes; this may vary depending on the route and traffic.

Within the wider Cowichan Valley travel region, Malahat and Bamberton form the final stretch of the Cowichan region when travelling south. Another regional highlight is the Cowichan Valley Trail, an important part of the Trans Canada Trail route on southern Vancouver Island. Most of the trail is a wide, flat gravel path; some sections run along roads. The trail is suitable for easy cycling and hiking. This information places the Cowichan Valley Trail within the wider travel region.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Chemainus, Youbou, Shawnigan Lake, Mill Bay, Duncan, Crofton, Honeymoon Bay, Ladysmith

Return to the main travel overview: Cowichan Valley.