Hiking the Gulf Islands

David Allinson is the president of the Rocky Point Bird Observatory in Victoria, B.C.

The popularity of the Gulf Islands (located in the Georgia Strait
between southern Vancouver Island and the B.C. mainland) as a travel
destination is evidenced by the growing number of travel guides about
them. Hiking the Gulf Islands, an extremely useful and informative
resource, focuses on 20 of these islands. Kahn provides important data
about their sometimes limited accommodation and services (especially on
some of the smaller islands) and highlights interesting trails. Hikers
will especially appreciate Kahn’s descriptions of trail features,
which include length, travel time, difficulty level, and suggested
routes for scenic views or wildlife viewing. Kahn also includes
important advisories on public access to private and tribal lands. The
sections on Native and local history are fascinating and add to the
islands’ allure.

On a recent excursion to Saltspring Island, the guide led me to a
fantastic lookout I’d never visited—atop Mt. Bruce; the panoramic
view of the neighboring islands, Mt. Baker, and the Coast Mountains on
the mainland was majestic.