Hike to the Trestle Bridge in Goldstream Provincial Park – is it worth it?

The Goldstream Trestle Bridge – an old railway bridge – lies right next to Goldstream Provincial Park. When we reach the end of the trail and step out from between the trees, the Trestle Bridge appears in front of us. In impressive fashion it spans a deep forested valley. For us the bridge is a pretty striking place and one of the highlights of our trip.

There are various hiking trails in Goldstream Provincial Park. A visit is also worthwhile later in the year, from the end of October to November, when salmon season starts and you can watch the fish in the river. In this article we’d like to introduce you to the hike to the railway bridge in Goldstream Provincial Park. Lace up your boots and come along…

Goldstream Provincial Park

Right next to Goldstream Provincial Park, not far from Goldstream Campground, lies the disused railway bridge. The bridge is on the edge of the park, so strictly speaking it’s no longer inside the provincial park.

The Trestle Bridge crosses a forested valley at a height of around 100 metres. If you want to walk across here you definitely need a good head for heights! The thick planks rest on a metal structure that feels very stable. For me, something like this is a major challenge every time, so Tobi has no choice but to walk across the bridge on his own, together with a few other visitors.

The hike to the Trestle Bridge

There are two ways to get to the Trestle Bridge. With the first option you can combine the bridge with the Goldmine Trail. To do this, drive north from Goldstream Campground on Malahat Drive. After 3 kilometres you’ll see the "Golden Falls" car park on the left-hand side. Unfortunately it’s not possible to turn left off the highway at this point. Simply stay on Malahat Drive for another 10 kilometres until you can make a U-turn. You can then park your car or motorhome in the small "Golden Falls" car park.

A short path leads from the car park along the creek. If you follow it you’ll come to Niagara Falls. Here the waterfalls plunge about 50 metres down the rocks. This little stopover is well worth it!

To get to the Trestle Bridge, follow the path back again. Shortly before the highway you cross the creek over a few stones that lie in the water. On the other side you scramble up the steep slope. Alternatively, a hidden footpath runs directly beside the highway, taking you up the slope a bit more comfortably. From here the rest of the hiking trail is much easier to make out. The path climbs steadily until, after about 30–45 minutes, you reach the Trestle Bridge.

Alternatively, you can also hike from Goldstream Campground along the railway tracks until you reach the railway bridge directly. At the bridge we meet a family with small children who tell us that they took a good hour for the walk. So the route is longer, but also less strenuous.

Arriving at the bridge

The bridge stretches out in front of you at a dizzying height. Maybe you’re fine with heights and can stroll across the bridge without any problems. If it feels strange at first, definitely take your time and wait a bit. For me it was like this: I gradually got used to the height and suddenly I was able to walk quite a way out onto the bridge. And if that doesn’t work for you, simply enjoy the view from the start of the trestle. That’s very beautiful too!

The next day we continue on to Tofino in the west of Vancouver Island. If you’re planning to visit Vancouver Island by ferry, you really shouldn’t skip Tofino. You can read our tips for Tofino in this article.

What about you – would the old railway bridge be your kind of thing? Tell us about it in the comments.