The Malahat SkyWalk is a year-round elevated walkway and spiral tower attraction in Malahat, British Columbia, approximately 35 minutes north of Victoria on Vancouver Island. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, the free shuttle, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
Updated May 2026. Two significant updates are not yet reflected in most guides. First, the Malahat SkyWalk was temporarily closed 27 April to 5 May 2026 to complete The Overhang — a bold new addition to the top of the Spiral Tower and the attraction’s latest centrepiece. The Overhang is now open. Second, summer 2026 tickets are priced at $49.95 CAD for adults — several third-party sites still show older or converted USD prices that do not reflect current CAD pricing. Book tickets through Viator to confirm your entry date.
Quick facts: Malahat SkyWalk
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 901 Trans-Canada Highway, Malahat, BC V0R 2L0 |
| Opening hours (May 15–Aug 31, Mon–Wed) | 9:00am, last ticket 6:00pm |
| Opening hours (May 15–Aug 31, Thu–Sun) | 9:00am, last ticket 7:30pm |
| Opening hours (Sep 1–Sep 14) | 9:00am, last ticket 6:00pm |
| Opening hours (Sep 15–Oct 12) | 9:00am, last ticket 5:00pm |
| Opening hours (Oct 13–Mar 9, 2027) | 9:00am, last ticket 3:00pm |
| Closed | Christmas Day |
| Adult day ticket | $49.95 CAD |
| Senior day ticket | $45.95 CAD |
| Youth day ticket | $35.95 CAD |
| Child day ticket | Free |
| Parking | Free, on site |
| Free shuttle from Victoria | Seasonal — weekends from 9 May; daily from 27 June |
| Distance from Victoria | ~35 minutes north on Highway 1 |
| Typical visit duration | 90 minutes to 3 hours |
Malahat SkyWalk opening hours
The attraction opens at 9:00am year-round. The attraction stays open for approximately 60 minutes after the last ticket is sold, so the actual closing time is later than the last ticket time listed below.
| Period | Days | Last ticket sold |
|---|---|---|
| May 15–August 31, 2026 | Monday–Wednesday | 6:00pm |
| May 15–August 31, 2026 | Thursday–Sunday | 7:30pm |
| September 1–14, 2026 | Daily | 6:00pm |
| September 15–October 12, 2026 | Daily | 5:00pm |
| October 13, 2026–March 9, 2027 | Daily | 3:00pm |
| March 10–May 13, 2027 | Daily | 5:00pm |
Christmas Day 2026 is closed. Hours are subject to weather — the attraction may close or limit operations in severe conditions. Check the live weather and webcam page on the official site before travelling, particularly in winter and early spring.
Malahat SkyWalk ticket prices
| Ticket type | Day ticket | Annual Membership Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $49.95 CAD | $99.95 CAD |
| Senior | $45.95 CAD | $79.95 CAD |
| Youth | $35.95 CAD | $59.95 CAD |
| Child | Free | Free |
Day tickets are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase, giving flexibility on when you use them. Annual Membership Passes cover unlimited visits for 12 months from the date of first use.
Vancouver Island Resident Rate: A discounted rate is available for Vancouver Island residents, but only when purchasing in person on site with valid proof of residency. This discount is not available online.
Children under 5 are admitted free. The Sizzler Slide has an age and height restriction: riders must be at least 5 years old and 107 cm (42 inches) tall, and must be comfortable riding solo.
No pets are permitted on site. Certified guide and service dogs are allowed with appropriate paperwork.
Book your visit through Viator to confirm your entry date in advance.
Ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in May 2026.
Why visit the Malahat SkyWalk?
- 🌲 Forest to sky in one journey: A 600-metre elevated TreeWalk through Arbutus and Douglas Fir leads to a 10-storey Spiral Tower at 250 metres above sea level, with 360° views of the Salish Sea, the Gulf Islands, Finlayson Arm, and Mount Baker on clear days.
- 🔭 The Overhang — just opened: A bold new addition installed during the April–May 2026 closure, The Overhang extends beyond the edge of the Spiral Tower for a first-of-its-kind viewpoint above the treetops. Most guides do not yet mention this new feature.
- 🛝 The Sizzler Slide: A 20-metre spiral slide inside the tower that has become one of Vancouver Island’s most recognisable experiences. Riders 5 years and over, at least 107 cm tall, can take as many runs as they like during their visit.
- 🚌 Free seasonal shuttle from Victoria: A free shuttle operates from downtown Victoria to the SkyWalk on weekends from 9 May and daily from 27 June 2026 — making the trip car-free from the city straightforward.
- 🌐 Designed with the Malahat Nation: The SkyWalk was developed in collaboration with the Malahat Nation and reflects the culture, stories, and connection to land of the Coast Salish community whose traditional territory it occupies.
How to get to the Malahat SkyWalk
The SkyWalk is at 901 Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), approximately 35 minutes north of downtown Victoria and one hour south of Nanaimo.
By car: Take Highway 1 north from Victoria, through Langford and over the Malahat Drive. The entrance is clearly signed on the right-hand side. Separate parking areas accommodate cars, RVs, and tour coaches.
By free shuttle from Victoria: A free seasonal shuttle operates from the Steamship Terminal (beside the Black Ball Ferry Terminal) in downtown Victoria.
| Period | Days | Departs Victoria | Departs SkyWalk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 May–26 June 2026 | Sat & Sun only | 9am, 11am, 1pm | 12:10pm, 2:10pm, 4:10pm |
| 27 June–2 September 2026 | Daily | 9am, 11am, 1pm | 12:10pm, 2:10pm, 4:10pm |
| 3 September–11 October 2026 | Sat & Sun only | 9am, 11am, 1pm | 12:10pm, 2:10pm, 4:10pm |
The shuttle journey takes approximately one hour each way. Check the official shuttle page before travelling as dates and times may be updated.
Parking at the Malahat SkyWalk
Parking is free on site. Separate parking areas are designated for cars, RVs, and tour buses. On busy summer weekends, the car park can fill; arriving on the first shuttle from Victoria or driving before 10am reduces the risk of a wait at the entrance.
How long to spend at the Malahat SkyWalk
Allow 90 minutes to three hours. The TreeWalk and Spiral Tower take approximately 90 minutes at a relaxed pace. Multiple runs on the Sizzler Slide, time on the SkyWeb adventure net, a walk along Luke’s Lane nature trail, and a stop at the café extend a visit to a full half-day.
Accessibility at the Malahat SkyWalk
There is no elevator to the top of the Spiral Tower. The entire experience, however, follows a very gentle incline — described on the official site as “an easy walk for all abilities.” The gradual ramp design means no steps are required to reach the tower viewing platforms.
The Sizzler Slide requires riders to be at least 5 years old and 107 cm tall. The SkyWeb adventure net has its own requirements — check the official site for current height and age specifications. No pets are permitted; certified guide and service dogs are allowed with appropriate paperwork.
At the Malahat SkyWalk: what to see and do
The TreeWalk is the approach to the tower — a 600-metre elevated wooden walkway through the canopy of Arbutus and Douglas Fir trees. Interpretive panels along the route cover the natural history and cultural significance of the forest from the perspective of the Malahat Nation.
The Spiral Tower rises 10 storeys to 250 metres above sea level. At the top, 360° views take in Finlayson Arm, the Saanich Peninsula, the Gulf Islands, and on clear days the Olympic Mountains in Washington State and Mount Baker in British Columbia. The tower is the structural heart of the site.
The Overhang is the newest addition, completed and opened in May 2026. It extends beyond the edge of the tower for an exposed viewpoint above the treetops — a first-of-its-kind perspective at the SkyWalk and one of the most distinctive new features on Vancouver Island. Weekend shuttle service from Victoria runs to coincide with The Overhang opening.
The Sizzler Slide is a 20-metre spiral slide inside the tower, included with general admission. Riders must be 5+ years old and at least 107 cm tall. Multiple rides are included in the price — there is no limit during your visit.
The SkyWeb is a suspended adventure net at height, for visitors who want a different perspective on the view.
Luke’s Lane and Nature Trail is a ground-level forest walk looping through the surrounding coastal forest, suitable for visitors who want a quieter, more immersive natural experience after the tower.
Food and drink is available in an on-site café with coffee, snacks, and light meals. Seating is in the plaza area near the base of the tower. Check the food and beverage page on the official site for seasonal menu updates.
Practical visitor tips for the Malahat SkyWalk
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Last ticket is not the closing time | The attraction stays open for approximately 60 minutes after the last ticket is sold. If you arrive 30 minutes before the last ticket time, you will still get a full experience. |
| Use the free shuttle in summer | The shuttle from downtown Victoria is free and removes the need to drive and park. Daily from 27 June to 2 September 2026; weekends only in May–June and September–October. |
| The Overhang is brand new | Opened in May 2026 after a short closure for installation. No older guide or review will cover this. It is currently one of the key reasons to visit. |
| Check the weather webcam before you go | Views from the tower can be obscured by cloud or fog, which is common in the shoulder seasons. The official site has a live weather webcam. A clear-sky visit is significantly different from a misty one. |
| No pets at any point | The no-pet policy is firm, covering the car park and all site areas. Certified guide and service dogs require paperwork to be presented on arrival. |
Frequently asked questions about the Malahat SkyWalk
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Malahat SkyWalk open year-round? | Yes, every day except Christmas Day. Hours vary significantly by season — check the official hours page before visiting, particularly in winter when last ticket times are earlier. |
| How tall do you have to be for the slide? | The Sizzler Slide requires riders to be at least 5 years old and 107 cm (42 inches) tall, and comfortable riding solo. |
| Is there an elevator to the top? | No. The route to the top of the Spiral Tower follows a continuous gentle ramp with no stairs and no elevator. It is accessible to most mobility levels, though the tower top itself cannot be reached by wheelchair. |
| Can you get to the SkyWalk without a car? | Yes, in the shuttle season (weekends from 9 May, daily from 27 June to 2 September). The free shuttle runs from downtown Victoria. Outside the shuttle season, a car or taxi is required. |
| Are dogs allowed at the Malahat SkyWalk? | No. No pets are permitted on site. Certified guide and service dogs are allowed with appropriate documentation presented on arrival. |
Things to do near the Malahat SkyWalk
Goldstream Provincial Park (~15 minutes south of the SkyWalk, free) is a provincial park centred on a tidal estuary where chum and Chinook salmon spawn each autumn. Old-growth Douglas Fir and Grand Fir trees line the trails year-round; the salmon run (typically October–November) draws large crowds of eagles.
Butchart Gardens (Central Saanich, ~50 minutes south, ticketed) is a world-famous ornamental garden on the Saanich Peninsula, developed from a former limestone quarry. The gardens are illuminated on summer evenings and host outdoor concerts on Saturday nights in July and August.
Victoria Inner Harbour (downtown Victoria, ~35 minutes south) has the Royal BC Museum, the BC Legislature buildings, harbour-front restaurants, whale watching tours, and the departure point for BC Ferries to the mainland.
Cowichan Valley (~30 minutes north) is a wine and food region with wineries, cideries, farms, and the Kinsol Trestle — one of the tallest surviving wooden rail trestles in the world, accessible on foot via the Trans Canada Trail.
Shawnigan Lake and Mill Bay (~20 minutes north) are small lakeside communities with swimming beaches, kayak hire, and a quiet rural atmosphere — good additions to a full day combining the SkyWalk with local exploration.
What to visit tomorrow: outdoor and nature experiences within two hours of the Malahat SkyWalk
WildPlay Element Parks — Nanaimo (Nanaimo, ~1 hour north on Highway 1) is a multi-activity outdoor adventure park with a zipline, bungee jump, swing, and aerial obstacle courses set above the Nanaimo River Gorge.
Cathedral Grove — MacMillan Provincial Park (Port Alberni Highway, ~1.5 hours north on Highway 4) is a short loop trail through old-growth Douglas Fir trees up to 800 years old and 75 metres tall — one of the most accessible stands of ancient forest on Vancouver Island.
Mount Douglas Park (Saanich, Victoria, ~40 minutes south, free) is a regional park with a paved road to a summit viewpoint at 229 metres, offering panoramic views of Victoria, the Gulf Islands, and the Olympic Mountains. Shorter and lower-key than the SkyWalk; a good complementary visit.
Cowichan Lake (Lake Cowichan, ~1 hour north-west) is a large freshwater lake in the Cowichan Valley with swimming, kayaking, and hiking trails through second-growth forest, including access to several waterfalls.
Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (approximately 3 hours north-west) is the most celebrated wild coastline on Vancouver Island, with Long Beach, old-growth rainforest, whale watching, and surfing. Beyond the two-hour range, this is best treated as an overnight trip, but it is the natural next destination for visitors who want to go deeper into Vancouver Island’s landscape.
More British Columbia travel
Other British Columbia travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to Brohm Lake Interpretive Forest.
- Shannon Falls visitor guide: Entry times, walk details and must-know information for British Columbia’s third-tallest waterfall.
- Swimming, walking and family adventures in Alice Lake Provincial Park, Squamish.
- Go underground and pan for gold at the Britannia Mine Museum in Britannia Beach.
- Tackle the granite monolith hike in Stawamus Chief Provincial Park.
