Hiking to the Niagara Canyon Railway Bridge

The railway bridge crossing the Niagara Canyon is locally known as the Goldstream Trestle and  located just outside the boundaries of Goldstream Provincial Park on Vancouver Island, BC. The park is located just 35 minutes from downtown Victoria and is known for it’s campgrounds, hiking trails and the salmon run that occurs there each fall.

View of the Niagara Canyon Bridge (Goldstream Trestle) from Mt Finlayson

The History

Goldstream Trestle is actually what is known as a deck truss cantilever bridge. However, the original railway crossing of the Niagara Canyon actually was a wooden trestle, but was replaced by the existing bridge in the early 1900’s.  The Niagara Canyon bridge that is there today was originally built in 1884 to carry the Canadian Pacific Railway across the Fraser River at Cisco, BC. This bridge was among the first cantilever truss bridges to be constructed in North America and was known as the Cisco Bridge.

The original wood trestle over the Niagara Canyon – BC Archives

In 1909-1910 the bridge was dismantled and reassembled at its current location just outside of Goldstream Provincial Park near Victoria on Vancouver Island, BC. The bridge is part of the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway (E&N Railway) which, at the time, was part of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

The Cisco Bridge over the Fraser River under construction – BC Archives

The E&N Railway was incorporated in 1883 by Victoria coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, to support the coal and lumber industry and the Royal Navy Base at Esquimalt Harbour. Construction began in the spring of 1884 and the last spike was driven home on the 13th of August, 1886 Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald.  The original rail line ran from Esquimalt to Nanaimo and 1888 the line was extended into Victoria.

Getting There

There is a hiking trail leading up the Niagara Canyon to the bridge. You will begin at the bottom of the canyon and walk a steep, rugged trail up to the bridge. Most of the trail is in good condition, but there are some steeper sections will loose footing, so be careful, take you your time and watch your step.

The beginning section of trail to the Goldstream Trestle

The trail up to the trestle begins at the base of Niagara Canyon on the west side of the highway. There are a couple of approaches you can take to access the trail. There is a parking area on the west side of the highway to access Niagara Falls, and the falls are well worth checking out! This is the closest parking for access to the bridge trail. However, you cannot turn left off of the highway, so if you want to park here you can only do so from the southbound side of the road, which is great if you are coming down from up island, but if you’re coming from Victoria you will have to drive up the highway to a U-turn point a few kilometres away.

Niagara Falls in winter flow

Optionally, you can park in the main Goldstream Park parking area on the east side of the highway. If you’re doing this in the summer months or early fall when water levels are low, you can following the hiking trails through the park and walk under the highway through the Niagara Creek tunnel. Otherwise you will have to take your chances crossing the busy highway and walk up the shoulder to the trailhead, which is not very pleasant.

The Niagara Creek tunnel under the Island Highway

Wherever you decide to park, you will need to get to the west side of the highway. Cross the creek heading north and find the trail leading off to your left. If the water levels in Niagara Creek are high, you will have to walk along the shoulder of the highway. If you find yourself at the base of the waterfall, you are in the wrong spot. Once you are on the correct trail it will take you up the canyon and across the top of Niagara Falls and continue on to the base of the bridge.

The hiking trail bridge across the top of Niagara Falls

The trail gets quite steep with loose footing further up the canyon

Park Map

Map of Goldstream Provincial Park

Do Not Trespass

Please remain in Goldstream Provincial Park and enjoy the views of the bridge from the park. The Niagara Canyon bridge and the rail bed are privately owned and are located on private property. They are not part of the park. Please do not approach the railway tracks or attempt to cross the bridge deck.

Permanent barriers have now been constructed around the approaches to the bridge as part of a joint suicide prevention strategy and to provide safety improvements to the bridge.  This was a joint effort of the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division and the Island Corridor Foundation.

Niagara Canyon Bridge – There are great views of the bridge without going onto private property

More Images

For more images or to purchase photos, including downloads, prints etc, Click this link:  Goldstream Provincial Park

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