What Are the Best Off-Leash Trails for Running with Your Dog in Victoria?

Running with your dog off-leash is one of the best parts of living in Greater Victoria. The trail network is extensive, the off-leash rules are clear once you know them, and the terrain ranges from flat lakeside gravel to moderate forest loops. We run with Ziggy regularly, and after testing these trails in every season, here are the ones that actually work for a runner who wants their dog off-leash and under control, not dragging them through brush or splashing through mud puddles at full speed.

Elk/Beaver Lake Loop, Saanich

This is the best long-distance off-leash running trail in Greater Victoria, and it is not close. The full perimeter loop around Elk Lake and Beaver Lake is approximately 10.1 kilometres, almost entirely on packed gravel with consistent footing. Dogs are off-leash on all trails except the main swimming beaches and picnic areas. The trail is flat, well-maintained, and busy enough that you feel safe running early or late, but never so crowded that you cannot find space.

Distance: 10.1 km full loop. 2.4 km West Loop (Beaver Lake side) for shorter runs.

Surface: Packed gravel, mostly flat with gentle rolling sections.

Off-leash rules: Off-leash on trails except at main swimming beaches and picnic areas.

Parking: Multiple access points. The main lot at Elk Lake/beach fills early on weekends. The Beaver Lake access on Beaver Lake Road is quieter.

Water access: Elk Lake has a designated swimming area. Check CRD advisories for blue-green algae before letting your dog swim.

Why it works for running: Consistent gravel surface, flat grade, wide trail, and enough distance to get a real workout without repeating loops. Ziggy rates this trail highly.

Thetis Lake Loop, View Royal/Saanich

Thetis Lake is a 4.9-kilometre loop through forested terrain with moderate elevation change. Dogs are off-leash year-round on the main trail loop, except on the main beach and picnic areas from approximately June 1 to mid-September. There is a dedicated dog beach where swimming is allowed year-round. The Scafe Hill trails adjacent to the main loop also allow off-leash dogs under control, adding distance if you want it.

Distance: 4.9 km main loop. Add Scafe Hill trails for extra distance.

Surface: Packed gravel and dirt, with some rooty sections. Moderate elevation.

Off-leash rules: Off-leash on trails. Main beach restricted June to mid-September. Dog beach open year-round.

Parking: Main lot off Tillicum Road. Fills by mid-morning on weekends.

Why it works for running: Forested shade, moderate hills for interval training, and a dog beach at the end as a reward. The elevation makes this more demanding than Elk Lake.

Beaver Lake West Loop, Saanich

If the full Elk/Beaver Lake loop is too long for a Tuesday morning, the West Loop on the Beaver Lake side is a 2.4-kilometre option with the same gravel surface and off-leash access. It is quieter than the main Elk Lake loop, more shaded, and passes through a section of old-growth forest that feels surprisingly wild for a trail inside city limits. This is our go-to when we want a shorter run without sacrificing quality.

Distance: 2.4 km.

Surface: Packed gravel, shaded, gentle terrain.

Off-leash rules: Same as the main Elk/Beaver loop. Off-leash on trails except beaches and picnic areas.

Why it works for running: Short, shaded, peaceful. The old-growth section is a genuine highlight.

Galloping Goose Regional Trail (Reynolds Road to Metchosin)

The Galloping Goose is a 55-kilometre rail-trail running from the Inner Harbour to Sooke, but for running with your dog, the best segment is from Reynolds Road through the E&N corridor toward Metchosin. The trail is paved, flat, and on-leash throughout, which means your dog runs at heel rather than exploring every side trail. For dogs that run well at heel, this is an excellent option. For dogs that need to sniff every fence post, the on-leash requirement can feel limiting.

Distance: Variable. The Victoria-to-Metchosin segment is approximately 12 km one way.

Surface: Paved, flat, well-maintained.

Off-leash rules: On-leash only. This is a multi-use trail.

Why it works for running: Consistent paved surface, flat grade, distance options for every fitness level. Best for dogs who run well at heel.

Cuthbert Holmes Park, Saanich

Cuthbert Holmes is a 1.5-kilometre off-leash loop along the Tillicum Creek ravine in Saanich. The trail is packed gravel, mostly flat, and quick enough to fit into a lunch break. It is not a long run, but it is off-leash, well-maintained, and close to the Tillicum area. For a short weekday run where your dog needs to stretch their legs, this works.

Distance: 1.5 km loop.

Surface: Packed gravel, flat.

Off-leash rules: Designated off-leash area.

Panama Flats, Saanich

Panama Flats is a large, open off-leash area near the Pat Bay Highway with flat terrain and wide sightlines. It is not a traditional trail run, but for dogs that need open space to sprint, it is one of the best options in Greater Victoria. The flat, grassy terrain is easy on joints, the area is spacious enough for high-speed fetch, and the open landscape makes it easy to keep an eye on your dog at a distance.

Distance: Variable. Open terrain, no fixed loop.

Surface: Grass and packed dirt. Can be muddy in winter.

Off-leash rules: Designated off-leash area.

Why it works for running: Flat, open, spacious. Best for high-energy dogs that need room to sprint.

Dallas Road Waterfront Trail, Victoria

The Dallas Road trail runs along the waterfront from the Inner Harbour to Beacon Hill Park and beyond. It is paved, flat, and on-leash, but it earns a spot on this list because it is the most scenic running route in the city. The ocean views, the breeze, and the consistent footing make this a daily running destination for hundreds of Victoria dog owners. The off-leash area near Cook Street gives you a stretch where your dog can run free before you head back to the on-leash sections.

Distance: 5+ km out and back from the Inner Harbour.

Surface: Paved, flat, oceanfront.

Off-leash rules: On-leash except the designated off-leash section near Cook Street.

Why it works for running: Paved, flat, scenic, and central. The off-leash section near Cook Street adds flexibility.

Running Etiquette with Your Dog Off-Leash

Off-leash running works when everyone on the trail has a good experience. Here is what we have learned from running with Ziggy across Greater Victoria:

• Recall has to be solid before you run off-leash. If your dog does not come back reliably when called, off-leash running is not safe. Train recall at a park first, then graduate to trails.
• Carry waste bags. Even on a run. Even when your dog is off-leash. Pick it up.
• Watch for other dogs on leash. If you see a dog on leash, recall your dog immediately and hold them until the other dog passes. Not every dog on a trail wants to meet yours.
• Bring water. A collapsible bowl and a handheld water bottle are lightweight and essential, especially in summer.
• Know the seasonal rules. Off-leash areas with beach access often have seasonal restrictions to protect nesting birds. Thetis Lake restricts the main beach from June to mid-September. Check signage.
• Trail surface matters for paws. Hot gravel and pavement in summer can burn pads. Run early morning or evening in July and August, and check the surface temperature with the back of your hand before starting.

Which Neighbourhoods Put You Closest to Running Trails?

If you run with your dog daily, proximity to trail access changes your routine. Saanich has the best access to off-leash running trails, with Elk/Beaver Lake, Thetis Lake, Cuthbert Holmes, and Panama Flats all within a short drive. Victoria West and Fairfield put you on the Galloping Goose and the Dallas Road waterfront. Gordon Head and Lambrick Park put you minutes from Mount Douglas Park trails.

We help clients find homes that match their running routine, not just their commute. If daily off-leash trail access matters to you, that is the kind of detail we build a home search around. Reach out to the Happy Homes Team and tell us what your ideal running morning looks like. We will find the neighbourhood that delivers it.

For more on trails and outdoor life with your dog, check out our guides to the best dog-friendly trails in Greater Victoria, the best hiking trails for dogs, and summer heat safety for running dogs.

See you on the trail. Ziggy will be the one lapping you on the Elk Lake loop.