Ruckle Loop

Ruckle Provincial Park is a beautiful coastal park located on Salt Spring Island. The park is a popular camping area but also has several hiking trails and beaches along the rugged Pacific Northwest coastline that can be explored during the day. The short Ruckle Loop takes you to a scenic viewpoint but other trails in the park can be combined with this walk to extend your day hike.

From the day-use parking lot, walk across the grass field towards a picnic table where there is a sign and trail that heads into the forest. Follow the trail into the forest as it makes its way around the coastline, offering glimpses of the view as you walk. It's a short walk and you will soon pass a junction and exit the forest.

Continue to follow the trail as it heads out onto the point, passing several Arbutus trees, before reaching the end with a scenic view of Swanson Channel. Several ferry routes pass by, so it's likely you will see the Vancouver - Victoria ferry or one of the Gulf Island Ferries pass by.

After enjoying the view, walk back towards the forest. You can extend your hike by continuing along the coastline or you can loop back to the parking area. To head back, you can either walk the same trail you arrived or take the other trail at the junction you passed, which is a slightly longer route through a scenic forest.

One other area of note to explore is you can access the beach area near the grass field by the day-use parking lot via a trail near the picnic table that goes downhill to the beach.