Patricia Bay Trail to Airmen's Memorial Walk (NEW!)

As Victorians, we're often travelling up the highway to Swartz Bay and the Victoria Int'l Airport. It's officially Highway 17, but we call it the Pat Bay Highway. But did you ever stop to think about how it got its name? And where exactly is Pat Bay anyway? Read on, and sign up for our next Victoria Small Dog Walk and Play Group event as we venture up the Saanich Peninsula to discover a lovely walk at Patricia Bay.

Patricia Bay lies on the Western side of the Saanich Peninsula, North of Ardmore, South of Deep Cove, West of the Airport. It's named after Princess Patricia of Connaught, daughter of the Duke of Connaught (former Governor General of Canada), and granddaughter of Queen Victoria. She's immortalized on the one dollar note of the Dominion of Canada.

Before I start describing the walk, I'll just like to say that I'd like to dedicate this walk to my father, Peter, who passed away 5 years ago on this day. I miss you, Dad.

We'll start our walk at the trailhead to the "Patricia Bay Path", which is located at 10323 West Saanich Road, on the ocean side of the road. Look for the large sign for Urban Meds, 10339 West Saanich Road. The trailhead is just a stone's throw from there.

The first third of our walk is along the Patricia Bay Path, which is a hard-packed gravel trail adjacent to the water. Enjoy the views across the bay to Saanich Inlet, Coles Bay Regional Park, Mill Bay, and beyond. (See the attached photos.)
At the end of the Patricia Bay Path, we'll cross West Saanich Road, and hook up with "The Flight Path", the 10k paved trail which circumnavigates the airport. If we're lucky, maybe we'll get an up close and personal look at some planes arriving and departing from YYJ. This trail constitutes the middle third of our walk, and we'll stroll along until we get to the "Lost Airmen of the Empire" memorial. This is a truly amazing memorial which commemorates and acknowledges the contributions and sacrifices of the 179 people who perished while posted to or working at the Royal Canadian Air Force Station at Patricia Bay during WW2. We'll stop here for a while so you can take it in. (Photos attached, and here's the link if you want to learn more.)

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/national-inventory-canadian-memorials/details/10424

At this point, we'll turn around and retrace our steps to where we began. That makes this an easy 3.6 km walk with a minimal elevation gain of just 34m, which means it's suitable for everyone, including those with walkers and strollers. And after the walk, please consider joining Tidbit and I at the Fickle Fig Farmers Market, 1780 Mills Road, for coffee, a snack, or a sandwich.
https://www.theficklefig.ca/

Parking at the Patricia Bay Path trailhead is along the ocean side of West Saanich Road. There is a small "parking area" which can accommodate a few cars. (Photo attached.) But many attendees at this walk will be parking south of the parking area, just off and parallel to West Saanich Road. Look for my Victoria Small Dog Walk and Play Group signs, and of course, the sign-in table where Sandy and I hang out to check you in.

Directions? Well, it depends where you're coming from. But for me - coming from Esquimalt - I'll be going up the Pat Bay Hwy to Beacon Avenue (Sidney). Turn left at the lights, drive along Beacon to the new roundabout, take the Galaran Road exit and drive to the intersection with Mills Road. Turn left at the 4-way stop and drive along Mills Road to West Saanich Road. Turn right at the stop sign, and drive 900m to the trailhead at 10323 West Saanich Road.

This will be our last "regular" walk of the year. Our next event is our annual Xmas Party for members of our Purple Paw Donors Circle. If you'd like to become a member of the Purple Paw Donors Circle, please consider making a $10+ cash donation at our next walk, or by sending an e-transfer to [email protected]

After the Xmas Party, we take a break until mid-to-late February.

See you Sat Nov 30th, folks!