- Trail: Yellow Trail off of the Blue Trail
- Trailhead: Link up with the Blue from the Osborne Bay Park lot
- Difficulty: Intermediate, some scrambles over rocks, steep switchbacks, narrow trails
- Distance: 3.4K One Way
- Elevation Gain: 122 meters
- Bring: Water, Snacks, Bathing Suit
Starting out in the parking lot of Osborne Bay Park, off of Smith Road in Crofton, we crossed the road and headed out with the intention of hopping on the Maple Way Trail. It is easy going, with a few lazy switchbacks. The idea was to do a shorter, more laid-back hike with our 12-year-old dog Cujo, and then hop into the ocean for a dip back at the main park.
Our plans changed when we ran into two women at the convergence of the Maple Way and Blue Trails. Once they told us about the beautiful coastal views, we were sold.
Next up we turned left onto the Blue Trail, following it through more dense forest, mossy logs, walls of ferns, and over two picturesque bridges carved out of trees. After one of the bridges is a mini waterfall that is worth stopping to catch your breath at—it gets pretty steep in parts from there on.
Soon enough you pop out along the coast for some beautiful views of the bay and Salt Spring Island. The trail is pretty narrow in parts, there are some rock scrambles and it can be a bit muddy if it has rained recently.
You can continue on and link up with inland Blue Trail for a varied hike back or return on the coastal Yellow Trail. We opted to stop for lunch at a seashell beach exposed at low tide just shy of, “The Point at Maple Mountain.”
Cujo had enough of the heat, and went for a swim here, instantly making us regret not bringing bathing suits.
It’s a great day hike, with loads of options to mix up the route. Took us about 3 hours roundtrip, but we stopped often for photos, snacks, and water breaks.
