Forest & Nature Therapy walks with Kelly Hutchison, ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide. Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) on Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island & the Gulf Islands of BC.
The following are some suggested parks to experience forest therapy in the Victoria and Saanich areas. However, I am able to create a unique anywhere in nature, so please contact me if you are interested in a private group walk (for groups of eight or more).
Coles Bay Regional park, is a quiet, small park located just outside of Victoria, between Brentwood Bay and Deep Cove in North Saanich. Walk a short distance through a canopy of native Douglas Fir, Cedar, Black Hawthorn, and Arbutus trees to Coles Bay, and enjoy beautiful views of the Saanich Inlet!
John Dean Provincial Park, is situated on top of Mount Newton on southern Vancouver Island, and overlooks the pastoral Saanich Peninsula, the Gulf Islands and the Cascade Mountains. This beautiful park protects one of the last remining of old-growth Douglas fir and Garry oak on the Saanich Peninsula.
Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, encompasses nearly the entire east side of Saanich Inlet, stretching from Goldstream to Brentwood Bay and the world-famous Butchart Gardens. The Gowlland Range is a particularly rich area of biodiversity, with more than 150 individual animal and plant species identified and the protected area preserves a rare, dry coastal Douglas fir habitat that features grassy meadows, rocky knolls and old-growth forest.
The Gardens at HCP, Horticultural Centre of the Pacific Beacon Hill Gardens
Please contact me if you are interested in a private group walk, or with any otherquestions that you may have about forest therapy or our offerings. Perhaps subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date on our guided walks and interesting information about the practice of forest therapy!
Self Investment for Guided Private Group Walks
Single or couple walk (1-2 persons): $160 plus gst Group walk (3-4 participants): $240 plus gst. Group walks: $50 plus gst, per person (5-9 participants); $45 plus gst per person (10-19 participants); $40 plus gst per person (20+)
Walks are 2.5 to 3 three hours in duration depending on group size and location.
My self and my husband and professional wildlife & nature photographer Dave Hutchison, together also offer forest bathing experiences and photo tours in various remote locations in the Sooke to Port Renfrew West Coast Corridor on Vancouver Island. Experience some of British Columbia's oldest forests and trees! Perfect for nature enthusiasts, nature photographers, or those just wanting to have photo memories of their time in nature! Learn more here.
John Dean Provincial Park
Playfair Park
The Gardens at HCP
Please dress for the weather. In the summer months a hat and sunscreen is recommended, as well as a light jacket as the forested areas can still be cool even in warm weather. For your comfort, please also wear appropriate foot wear. In the colder months gloves, hats, scarves, rain wear and warm footwear are all highly recommended. You may also want a water bottle and a small mat or towel to sit on.