Elsie King Trail
The Elsie King Trail is named after a prominent leader in the Victoria Girl Guides and the wife of naturalist Freeman King.
The trail brings people with limited mobility and agility closer to nature. Whether you explore by wheelchair, or with a walker or cane, head up the trail into the magic of this woodland park. Stop by the Nature Centre before you hit the trails to view the seasonal displays that focus on the plants and animals found in the park.
Move through time...
Francis King Park is within the ancestral lands of the Lkwungen peoples, as represented today by Esquimalt Nation and Songhees Nation. The Lkwungen peoples have been taking care of and living on these lands for thousands of years and they continue to connect to their ancestral lands to this day. Camas, salal, horsetail and licorice fern are some of the many plants in this area that Indigenous peoples continue to use.
Early pioneers also saw the richness of this land. James Francis purchased property on the east side of Munn Road in the 1840s, and except for minimal logging, preserved its natural beauty.
The property on the west side was named Freeman King Park after an early conservationist and naturalist who inspired many young Victoria naturalists.
Move through seasons...In spring, scented yellow blossoms of bigleaf maple appear overhead; at eye level, look for early blooming Indian-plum. At your feet, discover shooting star and white fawn lilies.The rocky outcrops hold heat in summer, and carpets of lichens and mosses are crackle-dry. Hear crickets chirping, northwestern garter snakes moving through dry grasses, and Pacific tree frogs serenading each other in the swampy areas.The delicate yellows and oranges of red alder and bigleaf maple slowly carpet the forest floor. Autumn rains break them down, and fungi appear: witch’s butter, elf’s saddle, dead man’s hand. In winter, trees keep growing, mosses are rich green, and most animals never completely hibernate. Listen for winter wren or Steller’s jay.
Capital Regional District | Regional Parks490 Atkins AvenueVictoria, BCCanada V9B 2Z8
tel: 250:478.3344email: [email protected]/parks
Francis/King Regional ParkThis 107-hectare park, nestled in the rolling farmland of Saanich, has magnificent 500-year-old Douglas-fir trees, some of the tallest in the region.
Park Features
• Nature centre• 11 kilometres of forest trails with wetland
and creeks, with connectors to Thetis Lake• Elsie King interpretive trail, a cedar
boardwalk accessible to people of all ages and abilities
• Delicate spring wildflower meadows• Magnificent old-growth Douglas-fir trees—
some of the tallest in the region
Trail Rating: Accessible (Elsie King Trail) toModerate (Centennial Trail) Size: 107 hectaresHours: Sunrise to Sunset
Nature Centre
Regional Parks staff and volunteer naturalists can answer your questions and point you in the right direction on the trails. Check out the interpretive displays on the park’s natural and cultural history.
Nature Centre Hours:
12-4pm Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays.
With its extensive trails, Francis/King is an ideal place for visitors of all abilities to explore nature through towering old growth forest.
REGIONAL PARKFrancis/King
Connect with us
Capital Regional District
@crd_bc | #crdparks
CRDVictoria
Connect with us
Capital Regional District
@crd_bc | #crdparks
CRDVictoria
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Thetis LakeRegional
Park
HeritageGrove
Arch Tree
Francis/KingRegional Park
Munn Rd
Prospect Lake RdCh
arlto
n Rd
Woodsend Dr
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side
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W
Munn Rd
Prospect Lake
Rd
Centennial Trail
MarshTrail
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High
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ge Tr
ail
Panhandle Trail
Centen
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ail
Bridle Trail
Centennial Trail
Shooting Star Trail
Centennial Trail
SkunkCabbageLoop Trail
Shoo
ting S
tar Tr
ail
Panhandle Trail
High
Rid
ge T
rail
Elsie King Trail(Accessible Loop)
High RidgeLoop Trail
Grand Fir Trail
LowerShootingStar Trail
Porter's Creek
Durrell Creek
Craigflower Creek
Francis-King Creek
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Trails By Designated Use
Hiking Trail
Hiking/Cycling/Equestrian Trail! ! ! ! ! ! ! Hiking/Equestrian Trail
Unofficial Trail (Not Maintained)
Disclaimer
Important This map is for general information purposesonly. The Capital Regional District (CRD) makes norepresentations or warranties regarding the accuracyor completeness of this map or the suitability of the mapfor any purpose. This map is not for navigation. The CRDwill not be liable for any damage, loss or injury resultingfrom the use of the map or information on the map and themap may be changed by the CRD at any time.
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Projection: UTM ZONE 10N NAD83
Capital Regional District
Francis/King
November 2016 I RP_FK_Website.mxd I [email protected]
Regional Park
Trails By Name (With Distance)
Bridle Trail (1km)Centennial Trail (3km)Elsie King Accessible Trail (800m)Grand Fir Trail (1km)High Ridge Loop Trail (1km)High Ridge Trail (865m)
Lower Shooting Star Trail (110m)Marsh Trail (390m)Panhandle Trail (2km)Shooting Star Trail (1km)Skunk Cabbage Loop Trail (115m)No Official NameLocal Connector
Map FeaturesRoad
! ! Hydro Wire
Municipal Boundary
Contour (20m interval)
River/Creek
Wetland/Lake/Reservoir
Francis/King Regional Park
Other Regional Park
Municipal Park
Park Amenities
Accessible Parking
Accessible Shelter
Accessible Toilet
Accessible Trail
Drinking Fountain
Bicycle Rack
Information
Nature Centre
Picnic Area
Park Etiquette • Stay on designated trails • Dogs must be on leash on Elsie King
Trail• Keep your dog under control and pick
up your dog’s droppings• Do not remove or disturb animals or
plants, such as wildflowers• Leave no trace and carry out litter• Smoking, motorized vehicles,
camping, open fires and alcohol are prohibited
How to Get ThereFollow the Trans-Canada Highway from Victoria, take the Helmcken Road exit. Turn left on Burnside Road West, then right on Prospect Lake Road. Turn left on Munn Road, which leads to the park entrance on the right. Allow 20 minutes driving time from Victoria.