Aerial adventure course near Victoria: what to know before you climb
WildPlay Victoria is an aerial adventure park in Colwood, about 15 minutes from downtown Victoria, where visitors clip into a continuous belay system and climb through self-paced obstacle courses built into the forest canopy. The Classic Course has three progressive levels of climbing, balancing, and ziplining, with an optional Extreme Course for those who want a harder challenge.
- Duration: Classic Course 1.5 to 2 hours (self-paced). The Extreme add-on up to 1 additional hour.
- Season: Mid-February through mid-December. Closed late December and January.
- Group size: Self-paced. No fixed group size. Walk-ins welcome; booking recommended.
- Departure: 15-1767 Island Highway, Colwood (next to the Q Centre). Free parking on site.
- Best for: Families with kids 5 and up, active couples, teens, team outings, and anyone comfortable with heights looking for a physical outdoor challenge.
Perfect for
I did the Classic Adventure Course with my daughter and then went back up alone for the Extreme. Watching her laugh her way across a wobbly bridge, then go quiet with focus on an obstacle that genuinely scared her, and then light up when she finished it.
I felt safe the entire time; she felt proud of herself; and I have not found another activity this close to Victoria that brings a family physically into the forest together like this. That is why WildPlay is the adventure course we recommend here.
The course sits in a forested park in Colwood, right next to the Galloping Goose trail and a short drive from downtown Victoria. You clip into a continuous belay system on the ground, learn the ropes in a training session, and then climb.
Three levels of obstacles get progressively higher and more challenging, from wobbly bridges and cargo nets to rope swings and ziplines that carry you between platforms in the canopy. The whole thing is self-paced, so you can push yourself or take breaks between levels.
If you are visiting Victoria with kids, looking for a half-day activity that actually tires them out, or want something physical that does not involve sitting on a boat or hiking, this experience fills that gap. A Kids Course runs separately for younger children, and the Extreme Course adds a higher, harder level for anyone who wants more after completing the Classic.
Reviews & Common Comments
- Staff are consistently praised for being friendly, attentive, and genuinely encouraging, especially with nervous participants and children
- The continuous belay system is noted as a confidence builder, particularly for people who are new to heights
- Families frequently highlight that the progressive difficulty allows everyone to participate at their own level
- Multiple reviewers describe the Classic Course as a solid workout, with the Extreme Course being noticeably more physically demanding
- Several reviewers note that the experience builds confidence in children and nervous adults over the course of the levels
Recent snapshot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“My kids and I did the Classic and then added the Extreme on the spot. They were way braver than I expected. I was the one holding up the group on the Red level, and the staff just kept encouraging me without making it weird. We spent three hours and I felt it the next day.”
“We went on a weekday morning and practically had the course to ourselves. The forest setting makes it feel like more than just a ropes course. My daughter asked to go again before we even reached the car.”
What to Expect
You check in at Guest Services near the parking lot, get fitted with a harness, and head to the ground-level training area. A guide walks you through the continuous belay system, which keeps you clipped to a safety cable for the entire course. You practise connecting and disconnecting at each platform so the technique is second nature before you climb.
The Classic Course has three levels: Green, Blue, and Red.
Green is the lowest and least demanding. You walk across tightropes, climb cargo nets, slide down short ziplines, and step across wobbly bridges between trees. Between each level you return to the ground, grab some water, and rest before heading back up.
Blue raises the height and introduces rope swings and swinging logs.
Red is the highest level, reaching up to 60 feet, where the obstacles require more balance and confidence.
See pricing for the Classic Adventure Course
The whole thing is self-paced. There is no guide pulling you through a sequence. You move at your own speed, and if you reach a point where you want to stop, staff are circulating below the course and can help you get back to the ground if needed. Most people find their comfort with heights increases as they climb, and the sense of accomplishment builds with each level.
If you finish the Classic and want more, the Extreme Course adds a fourth set of obstacles at the highest and most challenging level. It is available as an add-on when you book.
The Kids Course is a separate single-level course that reaches about 15 feet off the ground. It is designed for children ages 5 to 12, and participants get two rounds through the circuit. Adults can accompany younger children on the Kids Course if needed.
The Details
Why an adventure course near Victoria is a great call
Victoria has no shortage of things to do outdoors, but most of them keep you on the ground or on the water. An aerial adventure course is a different kind of physical challenge, and this one puts you in the forest canopy without a long drive to get there.
WildPlay is about 15 minutes from downtown Victoria by car and accessible by public transit on the #95 Rapid Bus. If you are staying in Victoria or the Westshore, it fits easily into a half-day plan. The park also sits right beside the Galloping Goose trail, so you can cycle there and make a full morning of it.
For families visiting the region, the range of difficulty matters. A five-year-old can tackle the Kids Course, and older kids and adults can work through the Classic and Extreme levels. Everyone is doing something active in the same forest, and nobody is waiting around watching someone else have the experience.
About WildPlay Victoria
WildPlay operates adventure parks across British Columbia and beyond, with the Victoria location in Colwood offering aerial obstacle courses, a zipline tour, axe throwing, and the What’s to Fear freefall jump. The park uses a continuous belay system on all aerial courses, meaning participants stay attached to the safety cable from start to finish.
Self-paced aerial courses with a continuous belay system. Classic Course reaches up to 60 feet across three levels.
Course requirements
- Classic and Extreme Course: Ages 5+, minimum height 142 cm (4’8″), max weight 300 lbs
- Kids Course: Ages 5+, minimum height 114 cm (3’9″), max weight 300 lbs
Children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult, though the adult does not have to participate.
Know Before You Go
Amenities:
- Beverages, Snacks [For sale]
- Free Parking
- Gift Shop
- Lockers
- Outdoor Footwear Loan
- Picnic Tables
- Private Guide [Pre-booked]
- Walking Trails
What to wear and bring
- Closed-toe shoes that are secured to your feet. No flip-flops, Crocs, or slides.
- Comfortable clothing that fits snugly. Avoid loose items and dresses.
- Tie back long hair and remove all jewellery.
- Dress in layers. The forest canopy can be cooler than you expect, and conditions change with the weather.
- Bring a water bottle and a snack. Drinks and snacks are also available for purchase at Guest Services.
- Secure your phone in a zipped pocket if you want to take photos on the course. You are responsible for your belongings.
- Lockers are available on site for valuables.
Getting there
WildPlay Victoria is located at 15-1767 Island Highway in Colwood, next to the Q Centre arena and the Velodrome. The entrance is at the end of the parking lot.
By car: About 15 minutes from downtown Victoria. Free parking on site.
By bus: Take the #95 Rapid Bus to the Colwood Exchange at Westshore Rec Centre. Other routes serving the exchange include the #25, #39, #50, #52, #53, #54, and #61. Cross the parking lot and follow directional signs to the park.
By bicycle: The park is located near the Galloping Goose trail. Bicycle racks are available near Guest Services.
Booking and waivers
Booking in advance is recommended, especially for groups of 4 or more and during summer weekends. Walk-ins are welcome and will be fit in at the next available check-in. Bookings before 11 am and after 3 pm typically have the shortest wait times.
All participants must complete a waiver before starting the course. Waiver links are sent in the booking confirmation email. For participants under 19, a parent or legal guardian must sign the waiver. Completing the waiver online in advance speeds up check-in significantly.
Cancellation policy
Individual bookings can be cancelled at least 24 hours before your scheduled check-in time with no penalty. Cancellations made within 24 hours, or no-shows, are not refunded. If WildPlay closes due to weather or unforeseen circumstances, guests can reschedule or receive a full refund.
2026 hours (Victoria location)
- Mid-February to mid-March: Sat to Sun, 10 am to 4 pm
- Spring Break (mid-March to end of March): Thurs to Mon, 10 am to 6 pm
- April: Fri to Mon, 10 am to 6 pm
- May: Thurs to Mon, 10 am to 6 pm
- June: 7 days a week, 10 am to 7 pm
- July to early September: 7 days a week, 10 am to 8 pm
- September to early October: Thurs to Mon, 10 am to 6 pm
- October: Fri to Mon, 10 am to 6 pm
- November to mid-December: Sat to Sun, 10 am to 4 pm
Hours are subject to change. Check the WildPlay Victoria website for the most current schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make a full day of it
If the adventure course is your morning activity, the area around Colwood and the Westshore has plenty to round out the day.
- Thetis Lake Regional Park: A 10-minute drive from WildPlay. The lower lake is a popular swimming spot in summer, and the trails through second-growth forest are an easy walk after a morning of climbing.
- Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse: A short drive toward Esquimalt. A relaxed afternoon exploring coastal fortifications and one of the oldest lighthouses on the West Coast.
- Hatley Castle and Royal Roads University: The gardens and grounds are open to the public and make for a calm contrast after an adrenaline-filled morning.
More activities near Victoria
The Greater Victoria region has some of the most varied outdoor activity options on Vancouver Island. If you are building a trip itinerary and want to pair the adventure course with other experiences in the area, the Vancouver Island Bucket List Trip Planner can help you plan by region and interest.
Use code VIBL5 to save 5% off all WildPlay activities.