Mosaic Forest Management opens three gates for public recreation in Sooke

Mosaic Forest Management has launched a pilot program to open three previously closed gates in the Sooke area for public recreational use. Starting October 3, the gates will be accessible on Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. until the end of December.

The initiative provides access to approximately 42,000 hectares of land and 2,000 kilometres of roads, supporting activities such as hiking and cycling. The decision follows a 2025 public survey with over 7,600 responses, which identified a shortage of entry points as a primary concern for residents on the South Island.

Access for off-road vehicles, including ATVs and dirt bikes, is restricted to members of the Sooke and Cowichan Valley ATV clubs. Mosaic plans to monitor the pilot's impact through user feedback and local recreation groups to inform future access strategies, including potential pilots on the North Island.