The Malahat SkyWalk is one of the newest and most popular Vancouver Island tourist attractions. If you are looking for unique things to do on Vancouver Island, make sure to add this to your list! As locals and annual pass holders, we visit frequently and have put together this guide of everything you need to know to plan your visit!
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We have not been compensated for this post and paid the full price for our annual pass tickets. This is our completely honest review.
Everything You Need to Know to Plan Your Malahat SkyWalk Visit
Overview
This 10-storey wooden tower first opened on July 15th, 2021, the first of its kind in North America. It was originally announced in 2019, with a planned opening in 2020 (but then Covid happened..) The goal? Building an “architecturally unique tower with a small environmental footprint that honours its surroundings.”
The $17 million project was built by A.Spire by Nature, a company led by two of the founding partners of the Sea to Sky Gondola. They partnered with the Malahat Nation to ensure Indigenous stories and perspectives are part of the visitor experience.
Since its 2021 opening, the Malahat SkyWalk has quickly become a major tourist attraction on Vancouver Island, and we certainly understand why. With its fully accessible 600-metre TreeWalk through a gorgeous Douglas Fir and Arbutus forest, stunning 360-degree views from the Spiral Tower, daring Adventure Net, exhilarating 20-metre spiral slide, and a fun climbing structure for kids, it’s definitely an enjoyable place for everyone, young and old!
Location
Where is Malahat SkyWalk, you ask? It is located on the traditional territory of the Malahat Nation, about 35 minutes north of Victoria, on the east side of the Malahat Highway. It makes an excellent pit stop along a Victoria to Tofino road trip.
Malahat SkyWalk Address: 901 Trans-Canada Hwy, Malahat, BC V0R 2L0
How to get to Malahat SkyWalk
By car:
Victoria to Malahat SkyWalk
If you are coming from downtown Victoria to the Malahat SkyWalk, it is a pretty straightforward drive and should take about 35 minutes (depending on traffic, of course). Just get on Douglas Street/Highway 1 and head north. Continue straight for about 32 km.
If you see signs for Duncan and Nanaimo, you are headed in the right direction. Once you get close, you will see signs for Malahat SkyWalk. Take the exit on the right.
Nanaimo to Malahat SkyWalk
If you are travelling from Nanaimo or further up island, head south on Highway 1. From Nanaimo, it is about an 80km drive and will take about one hour and 15 minutes.
You will see the Malahat SkyWalk entrance to your left, but there are barriers along the highway so you must continue south and take the U-turn route near Malahat Chalet. The U-turn route is clearly sign-posted so just follow the signs to return north.
Alternatively, you can take a route through Shawnigan Lake after passing Duncan, and turn left at Highway 1. Continue north for about four kilometres and the Malahat SkyWalk will be on your right. Taking this route eliminates the need for a U-turn and also allows you to see lovely Shawnigan Lake.
Parking
There is ample free parking in a large gravel lot, including a separate large lot for RVs. Disabled parking spots are located close to the entrance and there are many of them.
You also have the option to drive right up to the front entrance to drop guests off, and then proceed to park your car in the large lot.
Are there electric charging stations at Malahat SkyWalk?
No, unfortunately there are no electric car charging stations at the Malahat SkyWalk.
There are plans to have some added in the future, but for now, the closest charging stations are located at the Malahat Chalet (265 Trans-Canada Hwy) and Mill Bay Shopping Centre (2720 Mill Bay Rd).
By Uber:
Uber only just launched in Victoria in June 2023 so it is still very new and there are not a lot of drivers. While it is technically possible to find an Uber to take you from downtown Victoria to the Malahat SkyWalk, we wouldn’t recommend it. The cost will be around $60-$80 one way.
However, once it’s time to head back to Victoria, you almost certainly won’t be able to find an Uber back.
By Bus:
Unfortunately there are no bus routes available that will take you to the Malahat SkyWalk.
By shuttle:
This is the best bet if you don’t have a car. Only recently launched in 2023, the Malahat SkyWalk Shuttle will take you direct from downtown Victoria to the Malahat SkyWalk and back.
The catch? Currently the shuttle only runs during the summer and only once or twice a day. Check out the website for the most up-to-date schedule and to book your tickets. The below information is current as of July 2023.
- Departure Location: Capital City Station, 721 Douglas Street
- Departs Victoria: 9am and 11am
- Departs Malahat SkyWalk: 12pm and 1:45pm
- Cost (includes admission): $80 (Adults)/$77 (Seniors 65+)/$60 (Youth 6-17)/Free for Kids 5 and under
Malahat SkyWalk Highlights
TreeWalk
Your Malahat SkyWalk experience will begin with the 600-metre elevated TreeWalk, where you will walk amongst beautiful Arbutus and Douglas Fir trees.
Enjoy a leisurely walk, making sure to take in the lush surroundings and magnificent views.
Fun fact: The shortest distance from the ground is 4.5 metres and the tallest distance from the ground is 13.3 metres.
Even just the walkway is amazing itself, considering its design and how it was built. With a goal to disturb the land as little as possible, building the walkway over and between the trees and on uneven ground was a major achievement.
Fun fact: The entire installation of the walkway took only one and a half months!
Along the way, stop and read some of the informational signs, and see if you can spot any animals below.
Indigenous Art
As you walk from the Welcome Centre and along the TreeWalk, keep your eyes peeled for some amazing local Indigenous art and driftwood sculptures.
Two custom works of art from Coast Salish Master Carver John Marston are on display, as well as a number of stunning driftwood sculptures blended in amongst the trees from local Victoria artist Tanya Bub.
Spiral Tower
Once you near the end of the TreeWalk, you will see the 10-storey Spiral Tower slowly emerge from behind the trees.
Fun fact: It is 250 metres above sea level!
The first glimpse is breathtaking. It is so architecturally stunning! We were just so amazed at how they built this beautiful structure rising high above the forest and overlooking the inlet.
As you enter the tower, head to the left to ascend to the top. The walk is not steep at all and you can go at your own pace, taking in the lovely views along the way.
Once at the top, you will be treated to breathtaking 360-degree views spanning over both Canada and the USA.
You’ll be able to see beautiful Finlayson Arm, the Saanich Peninsula, the Gulf Islands, the San Juan Islands, and even all the way to Mt. Baker and the Coast Mountain range.
For the best photos, stand by the glass railings overlooking the water.
Tip: Eagles can frequently be seen flying about so keep your eyes open, look down at the trees and try to spot them 🙂
Adventure Net
At the top of the Spiral Tower, you will find the 84 square metre Adventure Net suspended over the centre of the tower.
Walk across, if you dare, and look all the way down below for a different perspective.
You will feel like you are walking in the sky!
Note: No jumping is allowed on the Adventure Net
Spiral Slide
The highlight for many is the thrilling spiral slide!
This 20-metre (65 ft) high and 50-metre (165 ft) long spiral slide offers a quick and exhilarating ride down to the bottom. It spirals down the centre of the tower and takes about 9 seconds.
What to Expect on the Spiral Slide
Depending on when you visit, there may or may not be a line to go down the slide. The longest we’ve had to wait is 40 minutes during a summer weekend, mid-day. Lines are usually shorter in late afternoon and evening, and anytime during the off-season.
Note: If you are claustrophobic/uncomfortable in confined spaces, this slide is probably not for you. The slide is completely enclosed and quite dark.
A friendly slide attendant will be stationed at the top of the slide to provide you with instructions for sliding down.
You must sit on a felt mat with your feet tucked in and hold onto the strap. If you have a purse or bag with you, that’s no issue. Just tuck it between your legs and it will be fine.
The staff member will ask if you’re ready and give you a little push down the slide.
Lean back if you’d like to go faster or sit up to slow it down. Make sure to keep your arms in against your body, otherwise you may get “slide burn” on your arms. This is why they advise people to wear long sleeves, although we’ve never had an issue wearing short sleeves
If you wish to film your descent, you can do so. However, it may be best to wait until your second slide so that you are familiar with how fast you go down and be able to hold onto your phone/camera well.
Once at the bottom, climb off the slide and hand your mat to the staff member waiting at the base.
If you loved the experience, you are welcome to ride the slide as many times as you like!
Slide Restrictions
- All riders must ride solo (children can not sit in your lap)
- Rider must be at least 5 years old AND over 42″ tall (107 cm or 3 feet 6 inches)
- Those with previous head trauma or heart issues are not recommended to slide
Play Area
Those with young kids will appreciate the fun little play area at the base of the spiral tower. Our 4-year-old absolutely loves climbing on the wooden structures and ropes. Since she can’t go down the slide, this is the highlight for her.
There are some comfy Adirondack chairs for parents to sit and watch, as well as a nearby fire pit for the colder months.
During the summer, they also have giant Jenga and other games available for anyone to play.
Nature Trail
There are two trail options to return back to the Welcome Centre. The return trail is a fairly easy gravel trail, following along the TreeWalk for the majority. You can also return on the TreeWalk itself if you prefer a smoother walk, or just want to walk above the trees again.
The nature trail is for those who want a change of scenery and something a little more like a hike.
However, it is still an easy trail, 811 metres long, and takes about 15-20 minutes.
Facilities
Gift Shop
The gift shop is fairly large and offers a wonderful assortment of local items, including artwork, jewellery and carvings from Malahat Nation artisans.
You’ll also find local treats, books, cards, games, clothing, and stuffed animals.
Whenever we take guests to the SkyWalk, they always end up finding some good souvenirs and gifts to bring back home. For example, our nephew found a nice t-shirt with an Indigenous print, our cousin found some fun Canadian card games, and our sister bought some lovely Nanaimo Bar gift boxes.
Dining
While there’s no sit-down restaurant at the Malahat SkyWalk, there are a number of food and beverage options.
Cafe
Within the Welcome Centre is a nice little grab-and-go cafe.
You will find a variety of yummy baked goods and handcrafted beverages. We like to stop here to pick up a coffee to take along with us on our walk to the tower.
Afterwards, our daughter usually likes to stop here for an ice cream or other sweet treat. The cafe also has packaged sandwiches and light bites, cold drinks, and even alcoholic beverages!
Note: Alcoholic beverages can only be consumed within the licensed Cafe area.
Canteen Bar
Located at the base of the Spiral Tower, the Canteen Bar is a great place to stop and enjoy a drink or a light bite while admiring the gorgeous views.
You’ll find some yummy handmade pizza, sandwiches, baked goods, a variety of cold and hot drinks, and grab and go snacks. Credit cards are accepted.
The menu and offerings seem to change seasonally as it’s always a bit different every time we visit.
There’s a large seating area with picnic tables to sit and enjoy your food in the fresh air.
Softys
A new addition to the Malaht SkyWalk this summer is a local island favourite, Softy’s Ice Cream. We love their ice cream because it’s completely vegan (but you can’t even tell!)
They have one of their ice cream trailers stationed at the base of the Spiral Tower, next to the Canteen Bar. This is likely a seasonal offering that you will only find in the warmer months.
Bathrooms
The Malahat SkyWalk has nice clean bathroom facilities with flush toilets.
At the Welcome Centre, you will find spacious bathrooms, including wheelchair-accessible ones.
If you forget to go before your walk to the tower, not to worry! There are additional washroom facilities at the base of the tower. You will find wheelchair-accessible bathrooms here as well.
Gathering Place
At the rear of the Welcome Centre you will find the Gathering Place. There are a number of outdoor tables and chairs where you can sit and gather over some drinks or food.
When we take family here, we often make a stop at the gathering place while everyone organizes their tickets, takes group photos, purchases snacks or takes a bathroom break.
Malahat SkyWalk Map
Events
Throughout the year, Malahat SkyWalk hosts a number of fun events. There is always something different and fun going on in every season. As annual pass holders, we love it as it keeps us coming back!
Tower Top Yoga
During the summer months, Malahat SkyWalk offers morning yoga sessions twice a week atop the Spiral Tower. What a treat to practice yoga surrounded by the magnificent views and breathe in that fresh air!
Price: $38.95 (including admission)/FREE for annual passholders!
Check current dates and times here and reserve a session.
Live Music
During summer, the Malahat SkyWalk hosts live music performances every Saturday at the Tower Plaza! Each week is a different artist.
In summer 2023, performances are from 4-6pm, and are included free with your admission.
You can find a list of the 2023 dates and artists here.
Santa Meet & Greet and Other Holiday Fun
In the winter, the Malahat SkyWalk offers all kinds of holiday fun! You can take the kids to meet Santa on select dates during the month of December, do some fun crafts, admire the massive Christmas tree, visit the pop-up Christmas gift shop, warm up by the fire pit and roast marshmallows, and enjoy a choir performance.
Performances
Throughout the year, there are all types of performances offered at the SkyWalk, from Irish Dancers to Japanese Taiko drumming. Check the website for upcoming events during your visit!
Trick or Treating
In October around Halloween, bring the kids to the SkyWalk for trick or treating, face painting and magic shows!
Best Time to Visit Malahat SkyWalk
Any time is a great time to visit the Malahat SkyWalk. Here on Vancouver Island, we do experience all four seasons, and each season brings its own magic for visiting the SkyWalk.
Summer
Summer is understandably the busiest time to visit Malahat SkyWalk as it is peak tourist season. However, even at its busiest, it doesn’t feel too crowded due to how spread out the attraction is. Only when lining up for the spiral slide will you notice how busy the SkyWalk is.
Tip: The Malahat SkyWalk stays open until 8pm during summer. If visiting in late August, head there in the evening and stay until closing so you can catch the start of sunset. It’s really beautiful! Plus, you get a discount after 5pm during weekdays when purchasing your ticket online!
If you want warmth and clear, blue skies with views for days, then summer is an excellent time to visit. You’ll also be able to take part in the many fun summer events, such as Tower Top Yoga, live music sessions, and try out Softy’s ice cream.
Fall
Fall brings cooler weather and possible rainy days, but is still a fantastic time to visit the Malahat SkyWalk. The crowds will have disappeared and you’ll often feel like you have the place all to yourself.
There’s also the added plus of seeing all the beautiful fall colours on the trees as the leaves turn.
If you want to ride the slide over and over, this is a great time to visit as there is usually little to no lineup for the slide! We’ve often just walked up and been able to slide right down without a wait.
Winter
Luckily Victoria doesn’t get TOO cold during winter. Just bundle up and don’t be afraid of some rain!
Once you get to the tower, you’ll be mostly covered and the slide is completely enclosed so it’s still totally fine in the rain. And best of all, there will hardly be any other guests around so you can really take in the peace and beauty.
We visited the Malahat SkyWalk after some snowfall and it was still a lovely time to visit.
With hot drinks in hand, we enjoyed a nice quiet walk all the way up the tower, and then got cozy around the fire pit afterwards.
Spring
Personally, spring has been my favourite time to visit the Malahat SkyWalk. The weather is usually mild and the crowds have not yet arrived.
It’s the perfect time to enjoy quiet walks in moderate temperatures. Not too hot, not too cold.
Hours
The Malahat SkyWalk is open every single day of the year, including holidays! Hours vary depending on season.
- Spring (March 13-June 4): 9:00am-6:00pm
- Summer (June 5-September 4): 9:00am-8:00pm
- Fall (September 5-October 9): 9:00am-6:00pm
- Winter (October 10-March 12): 9:00am-3:30pm
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket window at the Welcome Centre upon arrival.
To avoid the line, purchase tickets online ahead of time. The tickets are flexible as there’s no need to reserve a day or time for entry. Tickets are valid for one year from the date of purchase.
If you’ve purchased your tickets online, you can bypass the Welcome Centre and go straight to the ticket gate.
Cost
Single Admission Tickets (prices current as of August 2023):
- Adults (18-64): $36.95
- Seniors (65+): $32.95
- Youth (6-17): $22.95
- Children (0-5): FREE
- Family (2 adults and 2 youth): $95.00
Discounted Tickets:
- Evening Discount: Save 25% after 4PM every day until September 4, 2023! Tickets must be purchased online to receive the discount.
- Group Discount: 10% off for groups of 10 or more (must call or email ahead of time to pre-purchase the tickets)
- Veteran/Military Discount: 25% off single tickets for Canadian active military members and veterans with valid ID
Note: Once you exit the SkyWalk, your single admission ticket does not permit you to re-enter. That means if you forget something in your car, you can’t go back to get it and expect to re-enter.
Annual Pass:
- Adults (18-64): $96.00
- Seniors (65+): $87.00
- Youth (6-17): $57.00
- Child (0-5): FREE
- Family (2 adults and 2 youth): $250.00
If you might visit more than twice in one year, it’s worth it to get an annual pass. We’ve definitely made use of ours!
There are also a number of benefits that come with having the annual pass, such as:
- 20% off tickets purchased at the Welcome Centre for up to 4 guests when you bring them with you (we always take advantage of this when we have friends and family visiting!)
- 20% off retail purchases
- 20% off at the Cafe
- 20% off at partner attractions (Sea to Sky Gondola, Royal BC Museum, Victoria Butterfly Gardens)
- Free Tower Top Yoga
Tip: You can usually purchase discounted annual passes in the spring! Sign up for the Malahat SkyWalk newsletter to get notified.
Can single tickets be upgraded to an annual pass?
Yes! As long as you visit the ticket desk prior to leaving on the day of purchase, you can have your single ticket upgraded to an annual pass by paying the difference in price.
If you’re unsure if you’ll use your annual pass, this is a great way to check out the Malahat SkyWalk first before committing!
When we brought my grandmother, she was unsure if she would use the annual pass since the walk might be too long for her. So, she just bought a single ticket. However, she enjoyed it so much that she decided to upgrade to the annual pass!
Accessibility
We love that this attraction is so accessible to visitors of all ages and abilities. The entire place was built with accessibility in mind and has a consistently low grade all the way to the top of the spiral tower.
The Malahat SkyWalk is wheelchair-friendly, walker-friendly and stroller-friendly! The maximum grade you will find is 8%, but most of the way is 5% or less.
There are designated wheelchair parking spots located close to the entrance by the Welcome Centre.
Accessible washrooms are located at both the Welcome Centre and at the base of the tower (Tower Plaza).
Even the Malahat SkyWalk shuttle is wheelchair accessible!
Wheelchairs
We love that the Malahat SkyWalk has complimentary wheelchairs available for visitors to use! Just pop into the Guest Services office at the Welcome Centre and ask to borrow one.
They will ask for your ID and hold onto it until you return the wheelchair.
We always borrow one for our grandmother as she is unable to walk the entire way. Availability has never been an issue for us – they’ve luckily always had one available to borrow whenever we’ve shown up!
FAQs
How long does the Malahat SkyWalk take?
This of course depends on how quickly you walk, how busy it is, and how much you stop to enjoy the views, but on average, it will take you at least 1.5 hours.
Plan for more time than you expect. We always end up staying longer than we expect, especially when bringing first-time guests.
It usually takes us about 15 minutes to walk to the Spiral Tower, another 15 minutes walking up the tower, 15 minutes at the top looking at the views and trying the Adventure Net, then another 15-45 minutes for the slide. After that, add on more time if you’d like to sit and enjoy some snacks and drinks at the base of the tower, play on the climbing structure, and check out more views. Then it’s another 15 minutes to walk back.
If you have kids or elderly guests with you, then obviously these times may be longer. The total walking distance is about 2.2km (1.4 miles) roundtrip.
How hard is the Malahat SkyWalk?
The entire walk, including the walk up the spiral tower, is quite easy. It really is suitable for all ages and abilities.
They’ve designed the Malahat SkyWalk to be accessible to everyone, with a gentle five-percent maximum grade all the way, except for one small section that is eight percent. This makes it easy to push strollers, walkers and wheelchairs all the way to the top with no problem.
Our parents in their 70s, as well as our 3-year-old, walked the entire way with no issue. We also take my 90-year-old grandmother up, with a wheelchair as backup, but she is able to walk half the way as well!
How long is the slide at Malahat SkyWalk?
The slide is 50 metres (165 feet) long. It takes 8 to 13 seconds to slide down.
How tall is the Malahat SkyWalk?
The tower is 32 metres (105 feet/10 storeys) tall. As for the slide, it is 20 metres (65 feet) tall.
The TreeWalk is between 4.5 metres to 13.3 metres tall at its highest.
How tall do you have to be to ride the slide?
Riders must be at least 42 inches (107 cm or 3’6″) tall to ride the slide. You must also be at least five years old and slide down alone.
Is Malahat SkyWalk wheelchair accessible?
Yes! We’ve taken family in wheelchairs multiple times. It is easy to push a wheelchair all the way to the top of the spiral tower with only a 5% grade on the walkway.
Are wheelchairs available to borrow?
Yes, wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge! You can borrow them from the Guest Services desk.
Is the Malahat SkyWalk stroller-friendly?
Yes! We’ve actually taken both a stroller and a wheelchair at the same time! The walkway is smooth and has a very low incline, making it very easy to push a stroller to the top of the spiral tower.
Is there an elevator?
No, there are no elevators at the Malahat SkyWalk. The only way up is by taking the walkway, but it has a very low incline.
Is Malahat SkyWalk pet-friendly? Are dogs allowed?
No, the Malahat SkyWalk is not pet-friendly. Dogs are not allowed, including therapy and emotional support dogs. Only Certified Guide and Service Dogs are allowed.
Can I fly my drone?
No, drones are not allowed at the Malahat SkyWalk.
Is the Malahat SkyWalk worth it?
While the cost of admission may be a bit higher than other attractions, we believe it is well worth it! We enjoyed our first visit so much that we bought an annual pass. Even though our daughter is too young to ride the slide, we still frequently visit just for the nature walks and beautiful views.
We’ve travelled all around the world, seen many incredible attractions, and we can honestly say the Malahat SkyWalk is unlike any other place we’ve been. Being immersed in nature, taking in the stunning west coast scenery from such a unique vantage point, and riding the thrilling slide to the bottom is truly an awesome experience.
Video Tour
Where to stay
There are of course many accommodation options available in Victoria, BC, but if you’d like to get out of the city and stay closer to the Malahat SkyWalk attraction, here are some of our suggestions.
Luxury:
Villa Eyrie Resort
This beautiful resort is located just above the Malahat SkyWalk, allowing you to savour the same stunning views for longer.
We love this option, but it is a bit isolated. If that’s what you’re after, then it’s just what you are looking for!
Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa
This resort is popular with our family and friends whenever they come to visit Victoria, BC. It’s located in Langford, about 30 minutes from the Malahat SkyWalk, and about 30 minutes to downtown (depending on traffic).
It’s the perfect location if you want some mountain views but not be too far from shops and restaurants. Bonus: it’s home to one of the best golf courses on the island!
Mid-range:
Moon Water Lodge
This intimate hotel is located on the Malahat just six minutes from the Malahat SkyWalk. Every room offers gorgeous water views over Finlayson Arm with a soaker tub, gas fireplace and private balcony.
This is a great option if you’d like to stay close to the Malahat SkyWalk and savour the same amazing views.
Budget:
Malahat Bungalows Motel
If you’d like to save a bit of money and don’t mind more modest and rustic accommodation, look into staying at the Malahat Bungalows Motel.
These low-key bungalows are located on Highway 1 just 15 minutes away (including the U-turn route) from the Malahat SkyWalk. All bungalows have private bathrooms and many of them have private kitchens. A great option if you’re looking to save money by cooking your own meals!
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