Canada is home to some of the world’s most stunning views. From the majestic Rockies to the bucolic eastern coastline, tourists travel far and wide to witness the beauty of the maple leaf country.
In light of this, many south Cowichan residents might be surprised to discover that one of Canada's top viewpoints is right in their own backyard.
A recent report by financial services company Remitly has determined that the Malahat Skywalk was deemed the country’s eighth best vista.
The Malahat Skywalk, which opened in 2021, is a 32-metre-high spiral tower that offers views of Saanich Inlet, Mount Baker, and the Coast Mountains. The attraction includes a treetop walkway and an optional slide descent.
Astrid Chang, executive director of communications for Destination Greater Victoria, welcomes the news as a testament to the region's natural beauty.
“We are delighted any time the natural beauty of our region is featured,” reads her written statement. “Greater Victoria is full of stunning landscapes, and we invite visitors to enjoy them as part of their stay.”
Mount Maxwell, Salt Spring Island’s highest peak with an elevation of 580 metres, is known for its sweeping views of the Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island, and the mainland.
With over 1,500 metres of trails meandering to its summit, the 120-metre Mount Tolmie provides an accessible viewpoint with panoramic views of the Saanich Peninsula, Victoria, and the Olympic Mountains across the Salish Sea.
Although Alberta’s Bear’s Hump in Waterton Lakes National Park has been crowned the country most popular viewpoint, B.C. had the most locations in the top 20, with nine spots. Other B.C. vistas included Burnaby Mountain Park and Soames Hill in Gibsons.
The study, which examined more than 483,000 online reviews of 411 locations across Canada, ranked sites based on the percentage of positive mentions of the word “view.”
The full study and rankings can be found on Remitly’s website.
