Discovering Oak Bay history on foot and by bike

[image: Oak Bay Archives, photo 1994-001-027. Public Works Crew Paving 1100 Block of Roslyn Road, formerly Pleasant Avenue, looking north from Windsor Road (Saratoga). Superintendent Samuel Gunter on right. Photographer: E.A. Price, ca. 1911.]

The archivist and volunteers at Oak Bay Archives are currently collaborating with Sara Lax at the GVCC to create a self-guided local history ride for their 2020 summer series.

While researching the stops on our history tour, we've encountered lots of great resources for exploring Oak Bay and other Greater Victoria municipalities and neighbourhoods, especially by foot or bike.

Many of these walks include snippets of local history to ponder as you pause to take in the view. As you explore Oak Bay, have a look at the archival photographs online - you might find images showing the places where you walk now, as they were a century or more ago!

Oak Bay routes

Guide to the First Nations Monuments of Oak Bay via Salish Weaving

Discovery Rides and Scavenger Hunts from the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition

Oak Bay Walking Trails Map from the District of Oak Bay, and more at

Walking & Cycling in Oak Bay

Maps of Uplands Park from the Friends of Uplands Park - especially Simon Wigzell's map of walking trails within the park


A few of the many walks available in neighbouring municipalities:

User-friendly trails from the CRD

Esquimalt Township Walking Tours by Sherri Robinson, from the Township of Esquimalt

Neighbourhood walking tours from the Victoria Heritage Foundation

South Jubilee Neighbourhood History Walk from the South Jubilee Neighbourhood Association

Trail Guides & Maps from the District of Saanich

Vic West Walking Trails from the Vic West Community Association

Walk the West Shore from the municipalities of Colwood, Metchosin, Highlands, Langford, and View Royal; the CRD; and West Shore Parks & Recreation Society

Imperial Paradise? An Alternative Walking Tour of Victoria, BC from the History of Racialisation Group at UVic (2000)


Do you have a favourite walking or cycling route in Oak Bay? Where will you explore next?

Follow @OakBayArchives on Twitter!

Questions? routes to add to the list? Email the Archivist

Share Discovering Oak Bay history on foot and by bike on Facebook Share Discovering Oak Bay history on foot and by bike on Twitter Share Discovering Oak Bay history on foot and by bike on Linkedin Email Discovering Oak Bay history on foot and by bike link
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en-US.projects.blog_posts.show.load_comment_text">Load Comment Text</span>