Soames Hill - "The Knob"

Wusses’ call: rated intermediate, but easier than it looks

This is the hill you will see from the ferry upon approaching the Langdale Ferry Terminal. It looks almost out of place, separated from Mount Elphinstone and with a footing of flat and homesteaded land spreading away from its base.

Soames Hill as seen from Ferry
The Knob - Soames Hill, as seen on ferry approaching Langdale
Photo courtesy of PhotographyTips.com

Getting there: Take North Road towards Langdale; you can either turn right on Reed Road and left on Chamberlain, up to Bridgeman and take a right; or you can stay on North Road to take a right on Chamberlain and a left on Bridgeman. A sign for the regional park at Boyle Road will take you in to the parking lot at the entrance to the park.

Do take a few moments to read the signage and pick your route. We didn’t and ended up backtracking several times, and you’ll need your energy if you’re wanting the view.

Sign for Soames Hill Regional Park - click for larger view
Photo Webmaster

There’s no ducking it – this one looks hard once you get to the base of the stairs that seem to be both wedged into the almost vertical face and yet, alarmingly, somehow not. My husband assured me people had been climbing Soames since before he was a boy (having spent his Boy Scout years helping to repair it) and the steps are sturdy if relentless.

However, there are several places heading up the staircase that a lateral bridge or path traverses the cliff face, and the Wuss says that’s enough to give your thigh muscles and knees the break they need to make it doable.

Beginning of the trail up the hill
Beginning of the stair climb. Photo Webmaster

Once at the top you can either go right to head up the last stretch to the arbutus grove and out-of-this-world views of Gibsons Harbour, the coastal mountain range, and on clear days even Point Grey in Vancouver and Vancouver Island are thrown into sharp relief.

Gibsons Harbour as seen from Soames
Gibsons Harbour as seen from The Knob. Photo Webmaster

Keats Island
Coastal Islands as seen from the left hand trail. Photo Webmaster.

Or, take a left and follow a mixed trail of clear path, tree-winding ascent and rocky scrabble up to the second lookout. This is where the birds like to be, and we saw flocks of gulls far below us, crows, ravens, and several bald eagles from angles that just plain aren’t natural. It’s the only time I have looked down on to an eagle’s back as it soared. Wow.

Eagle, with islands behind
Bald Eagle below, with islands behind. Photo Webmaster.

Allow 40 minutes each way, and at least 30 minutes to look around up top. Don’t forget to bring your water! You’ll also appreciate a light snack with the view, and please remember to take your garbage down with you.

The Wuss says: "I'm a couch potato 90% of the time and I had no soreness or tightness in my muscles the next day, much to my shock! Our children, aged 4 and 9, also completed the hike easily and without assistance, though you'll want to keep a close rein on rambunctious kids at the top."

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Soames Hill - "The Knob"

WHERE TO STAY

WHAT TO DO

DINING

ABOUT THE COAST

TRAVEL EXTRAS

CONVENTIONS/ GROUP TRAVEL

CONTACT US

SEARCH/HELP

ADVERTISE ON THIS SITE

Soames Hill - "The Knob"

ABOUT THE
COAST

CONVENTIONS/
GROUP TRAVEL