Where Can I Walk My Dog Along the Gorge Waterway in Victoria? Parks, Leash Rules and Best Routes

The Gorge Waterway is one of the best dog-walking routes in Victoria that most people overlook. It runs about 4 kilometers from the Selkirk Trestle near the Johnson Street Bridge up to Tillicum Road, with parks, benches, and water views the whole way. I walk this route with Ziggy at least once a week, usually starting from the Vic West side and working my way up. The path is flat, paved, and mostly separated from traffic, which makes it an easy choice for a focused walk where your dog gets real exercise.

The route crosses three municipal jurisdictions (Victoria, Saanich, and Esquimalt), which means the leash rules change as you go. Here is exactly what to expect at each section.

Where does the Gorge Waterway dog walk start?

I usually start at Banfield Park on Craigflower Road in Vic West. Banfield Park has a large grass field, a playground, and direct access to the Gorge Waterway path. Dogs can be off-leash at Banfield Park during designated hours: from April 1 to September 30, leash-optional hours are 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. From October 1 to March 31, leash-optional runs from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM all day. Outside those hours, dogs must be on a leash.

Banfield Park has a small parking lot off Craigflower Road and street parking along the surrounding residential streets. The park is popular with local dog owners during the leash-optional morning window. Most dogs here are well-behaved, but it pays to keep an eye out for the occasional dog whose recall is not as solid as the owner thinks.

What is the walking route along the Gorge Waterway?

From Banfield Park, the waterfront path heads east along the Gorge Waterway towards the Selkirk Trestle. The path is paved, flat, and about 2 meters wide. On the water side you get views of the Gorge, the Johnson Street Bridge, and the sailboat masts at the Selkirk Marina. On the land side you pass through a mix of parkland, residential backyards, and patches of native trees and bushes. The complete route in this direction is about 1.5 kilometers from Banfield Park to the Selkirk Trestle.

Heading the other direction from Banfield Park takes you along the north side of the waterway toward Cuthbert Holmes Park and the Tillicum Road bridge. This section is quieter and more tree-covered. The path passes through a narrow corridor of Garry oak and arbutus trees before opening up at the Saanich side of the waterway. On a weekday morning, you might see more herons and otters than other dog walkers. I saw a river otter here once with Ziggy. He did not know what to make of it.

Is there an off-leash area at Esquimalt Gorge Park?

Yes. Esquimalt Gorge Park on the south side of the Tillicum Road bridge has a designated off-leash area in the grassy field south of the parking lot, near the historic Pavilion building. This is the only dedicated off-leash zone on the Gorge Waterway. The off-leash area is not fenced, so you still need solid recall before letting your dog run. Outside the off-leash zone, dogs must be on a leash throughout the park. Dogs are not allowed in the formal gardens or on the playground.

The Pavilion building at Esquimalt Gorge Park houses a restaurant with a patio that overlooks the Gorge. I have not taken Ziggy onto that patio myself, but friends tell me dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables. It is worth confirming when you arrive, as policies can change with management.

What about the Saanich side of the Gorge?

Gorge Waterway Park on the Saanich side runs along the north shore between Tillicum Road and Admirals Road. Dogs must be on a leash here except between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM, when they may be off-leash under control. Dogs must stay leashed within 10 meters of any playground equipment. Gorge Park, just west of Tillicum Road, allows dogs off-leash but under control at all times. This is a smaller park with direct water access and a boat launch. I have taken Sahara here for a quiet afternoon walk and had the park almost to ourselves.

One thing to know about the Saanich side: the path here is narrower and closer to the water. If your dog is nervous around kayaks or paddleboards, keep them on the land side of the path and give the watercraft a wide berth.

Can my dog swim in the Gorge Waterway?

Technically, no. The entire Gorge Waterway is part of the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary, a federal designation that protects the birds that use the waterway year-round. Dogs swimming in the waterway can disturb nesting and feeding birds, and CRD signage advises against it. In practice, you will see dogs in the water on hot days, especially near the boat launch at Gorge Park. But the official rule is no swimming, and the bird sanctuary designation means that enforcement is possible, especially during nesting season from spring through early summer.

If you want a swim spot for your dog, head to Esquimalt Lagoon or Thetis Lake instead. Both have areas where dogs can swim without the bird sanctuary restriction. We covered both in our dog swimming spots guide.

What are the best times to walk the Gorge?

Early morning and early evening are the sweet spots. The morning off-leash window at Banfield Park (6-9 AM) and Gorge Waterway Park (6-9 AM) overlaps perfectly. If you start at Banfield Park around 7 AM, you can walk the full route to Esquimalt Gorge Park and back by 8:30 AM. The path is quiet, the light on the water is good, and the bird activity along the shoreline is at its peak.

Midday on weekends is the busiest time. The path gets walkers, runners, cyclists, families with strollers, and the occasional skateboarder. Leash your dog if they are reactive to wheels or children. The path is shared use, and the speed difference between a running cyclist and a sniffing dog can create problems.

What do I need to bring?

• Leash and backup leash. The rules change between municipalities on this route. A standard 6-foot leash keeps you compliant everywhere.
• Water. There are water fountains at Banfield Park and Esquimalt Gorge Park, but they are not always working. Bring your own supply.
• Waste bags. All three municipalities enforce poo bag rules, and Esquimalt bylaw officers do patrol the Gorge Park area during summer.
• A towel. If your dog goes in the water despite the bird sanctuary rules (many do), you will want to dry them off before the walk back.