Grass Lake and Monument Mountain is a rewarding out-and-back hike in the Sooke Hills with a bit of everything: mossy forest, quiet river sections, a mountain lake, and big views over Sooke Harbour and Juan de Fuca Strait. The full route is about 13 kilometres with roughly 546 metres of elevation gain, so it feels like a real day out without being extreme.
The trail starts near the Sooke Salmon Hatchery and follows Charters River before climbing steadily toward Grass Lake. From there, hikers can continue on to Monument Mountain for a scenic ridge walk and a steep, view-filled descent that brings you back toward the valley. It is a great choice for confident hikers who enjoy longer forest trails, rocky sections, and a mix of viewpoints.
What to expect
- Trail type: A mix of old logging road and narrower forest singletrack, with roots, rocks, and a steeper section near Grass Lake and on the Monument Mountain descent.
- Distance and time: Around 13 km return, typically taking 4 hours of hiking time. Plan extra time for photos, breaks by the river, and a stop at the lake.
- Scenery: Charters River, the Charters Creek trestle bridge, mossy forest, an alpine-style lake, abandoned relics along the trail, and wide views over Sooke and the surrounding hills.
- Difficulty: Rated moderate because of the overall distance, elevation gain, and some steeper sections that can be slippery when wet.
- Amenities: No toilets, shelters, or water on the trail itself, so come prepared with everything you need for backcountry-style hiking.
- Season: Accessible most of the year, with the best conditions typically from late spring to fall. In winter and early spring, expect wet, muddy sections and small stream crossings.
If you are comfortable with a moderate day hike and like the idea of combining a forest walk, a lake stop, and a viewpoint, Grass Lake and Monument Mountain are a fantastic addition to your Vancouver Island bucket list.
Forested Hike up to Grass Lake & The Views From Monument Mountain
This fantastic moderate trail is straightforward but steady, with a continuous climb and long sections that follow wider old access roads. Along the way, you will pass the Charters Creek weir, an old cabin and truck, creek views, and a few little side spots to explore if you are feeling curious.
On the way back, following the Monument Mountain trail, it bumps up the challenge but rewards you with big views over Juan de Fuca and the Sooke Hills.
Grass Lake Trail
Trail Head:
Park along Carters Creek just before the gates to the Salmon Hatchery on Sooke River Road. Walk through the gates past the hatchery buildings.
If you’re planning to hit the trail, your initial instinct might be to leave your car and start hiking immediately. However, it’s worth taking a moment to observe your surroundings. Even the parking lot has some interesting spots for you to explore.
There are tranquil forest benches along the creek with viewing points over small river pools. During the fall, Charters Creek becomes an excellent spot for watching salmon.
The first 1.5km of the trail is an old road that passes under the Charters Creek Train Trestle Bridge, which is now part of the Galloping Goose.
The trail is wide and well-marked, so it is easy to stay on course. After walking under the bridge, you start to gain elevation almost immediately. Here, the terrain is pretty easygoing and shaded as you hear the background sounds of water mingling with the rustling of the leaves and the chirping of the birds.
The path will become narrower after you pass the Charters Weir and a concrete utility building. Depending on the season, you may need to cross a few small streams, but they are usually shallow enough to cross without getting wet. Keep your eyes open for the abandoned truck and a cabin foundation with a chimney tucked away in the trees.
As you get closer to reaching Grass Lake, you will encounter a section that gets steeper, and you have to watch your footing a little more through a rocky wash. In winter, you may have to pick your path up, avoiding running water down the trail.
Upon reaching the top, you’ll notice signage pointing towards a side trail leading to the Lake. There, you’ll find a perfect spot for lunch or even a swim on a rocky outcrop.
Your hike doesn’t need to end here; you can continue to Shields Lake, or, for the more energetic hikers, the Sea to Sea Regional Park backcountry trails are almost endless, linking up to Peden Lake and Mount Empress.
When you are ready to head to the parking lot, you can take the Grass Lake trail back down, or for a fantastic view, I recommend taking the Monument Mountain Trail.
Monument Mountain Trail
Backtrack down the Grass Lake Trail just a couple of hundred metres, and you will see a sign for the Monument Mountain trail. The first 2.5km of the narrow forested trail has minimal elevation gain, and when you reach the peak, the views are worth it.
Looking south, you see the Sooke Harbour and Juan de Fuca Strait. Just off the trail is a ridge to the East with a view of far-off waterfalls and a lush mountain valley that looks straight out of a movie.
From this viewpoint, the elevation drops rapidly as you descend the open face of the mountain. It is more challenging than the hike up and hard on the knees, but it is worth the view and still doable for most.
This is a fantastic hiking trail that offers a little bit of everything: glimpses of history, a serene river, a mountain lake, and breathtaking views, all just a short drive from Sooke. With easy access and well-marked trails, this is a hike you should add to this summer’s Vancouver Island Bucket List.
This is a long day in real backcountry, and black bears and cougars both use the Sooke Hills. Our wildlife safety guide covers what to actually do if you meet one.
Amenities:
This hike has no amenities; it is backcountry hiking, so please come prepared with water, proper clothing, maps and gear. AllTrails GPS Map
There are amenities located at the Galloping Goose Trail Parking lot along Sooke River Road
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