The Malahat Skywalk Showcases the Unparalleled Beauty of Vancouver Island

The Malahat SkyWalk offers the most spectacular views on Vancouver Island – and as I learned during a recent visit, the views are only the cap to an outdoor experience that’s more thrilling than any family-friendly spot this vagabond journalist has experienced. To that “SkyWalk” is almost too narrow a word to describe the experience, though I’ve yet to think of a more apt term. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a photographer, or simply a family looking for a unique activity on Vancouver Island, the SkyWalk is unforgettable. Here’s what to know to plan a trip.

Experiencing the Malahat SkyWalk

The drive from Victoria to the Malahat SkyWalk takes about 30 minutes. Our group of five hired a Tesla Model X from Alset Tours, driven by the company’s owner Kevin Belanger, for the ride up from the city. Tickets, which cost $38 per adult and $24 for kids with a family pack available for $99, can be purchased online in advance.

The Malahat SkyWalk’s elevated walkway is a 600-meter-long treetop path that winds through a breathtaking Arbutus and Douglas Fir forest, offering a a beautiful elevated hike before reaching the spiral tower. Constructed using locally sourced Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar, the walkway sustainably blends with its natural surroundings. The pathway is accessible – there’s no staircase required to reach it on either end – and offers views stretching out into the Saanich Inlet and the mountains beyond. Below and adjacent to the walkway is a network of trails that weave through the forest floor, providing additional opportunities for nature walks and wildlife spotting on the way back to the visitor’s center. For younger adventurers, the SkyWalk offers an engaging “I Spy” game along the Luke’s Lane Trail, where kids can search for hidden forest creatures, carvings, and other surprises along the route — includng Luke, the park’s official mascot.

The Malahat SkyWalk Tower is the crown jewel of the experience, standing 105 feet tall and offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding Inlet and the Insular Mountains. As visitors ascend the gentle spiral ramp, they weave their way up six stories, gradually gaining a new perspective with each turn. The design allows for an easy, accessible climb, ensuring that everyone—from families with strollers to visitors using wheelchairs—can reach the summit. Along the way, the open-air structure provides unobstructed panoramic views, showcasing the Salish Sea, Saanich Inlet, Mount Baker (yes, you can see all the way to Washington), and even the distant Coast Mountains and Olympic Peninsula. Ringing the upper level, Indigenous artwork created in collaboration with local Coast Salish artists showcases the carvings and designs honoring the Malahat First Nation and their ancestral connection to the region. These intricate pieces tell stories of the land, sea, and sky.

The Adventure Net at the top of the tower offers a chance to look straight down through an open-weave net suspended over the center of the structure—a heart-pounding experience that a couple in our group opted out of. Rather than winding our way back down, we took the giant spiral slide, which involved sitting on a sliding mat and riding down several stories. I have a three-year-old and spend a lot of time on playgrounds, and this slide is far more appealing than what I’m used to. A snack bar with adult beverages is located near the base of the tower, with a focus on locally-sourced foods. A food truck sits closer to the gift shop at the visitor’s center.

I am an avid outdoorsman and do a lot of hiking – and admittedly I was impressed with the level of exertion it’s possible to put out on this walk. I totalled about 8,000 steps between leaving and returning to the visitor’s center, encompassing the walkway, the ascent, and meandering along a trail on the way back, in addition to touring some of the artwork closer to the center. That said, it’s possible to take it much easier and there’s no pressure to rush through any of this, making it ideal for kids and families. We spent about 90 minutes on the grounds, and never felt rushed.

The story behind the Malahat SkyWalk

The Malahat region, located on southern Vancouver Island and generally defined by the rugged, mountainous terrain surrounding the Malahat Drive (Highway 1) corridor, extends from the Goldstream Provincial Park area just north of Victoria to the Shawnigan Lake and Mill Bay region further north. This is a place of deep cultural, spiritual, and historical significance, especially to the Malahat First Nation, part of the Coast Salish people who have lived on Vancouver Island for thousands of years. Traditionally, this land was not only a place of settlement but also a sacred space where stories, teachings, and traditions were passed down through generations. The forests, coastline, and inlet hold immense meaning for the Malahat people, who have long revered the land as a source of life, guidance, and connection to their ancestors. The SkyWalk was developed with these cultural values in mind, ensuring that it respects and celebrates Indigenous heritage while providing visitors with a meaningful way to experience the natural beauty of the region.

The development of the Malahat SkyWalk was rooted in a commitment to sustainability and Indigenous collaboration. The structure cost a staggering $17 million CAD (about $12 million), representing one of Vancouver Island’s largest tourism investments. From the beginning, Malahat First Nation leaders were actively involved, ensuring that the project was not only an attraction but also a platform for education and cultural appreciation. The goal was to create a world-class eco-tourism destination that honors the past while promoting environmental stewardship for the future. Alongside its breathtaking views, the SkyWalk incorporates Indigenous storytelling, artwork, and interpretive signage to deepen visitors’ understanding of the land’s history and significance.

The design of the SkyWalk was inspired by treetop walks in Europe, where elevated pathways allow visitors to experience nature from a unique and immersive perspective. Unlike many observation towers that require steep climbs or stairs, the SkyWalk was deliberately designed to be fully accessible for people with disabilities or for whom hiking uphill is unappealing or impossible.

My view of the Malahat SkyWalk as a tourist attraction shifted immensely throughout the experience. As I came to understand its eco-friendly construction and importance as a tool for Indigenous-led tourism, I viewed it less as a tourist trap and more as something I was glad to be there to support.