Forest Bathing with Agnes

Join us for a guided forest bathing walk at the Nature Sanctuary

What is forest bathing?  
Shinrin-Yoku is the Japanese practice of forest bathing, of taking in the forest through our senses - through our sense of hearing, sight, touch, taste, and smell. 
More than a walk in the woods, forest bathing is an opportunity to slow down, focus on our senses and re-connect with nature. Being outdoors and connecting with nature offers us wellness and health benefits that include increased immune function, enhanced cardiovascular and respiratory health, stress relief, and more. 
Find out more here [URL embedded]. 
Nature and Forest theory is inspired by Shinrin-Yoku. This guided nature therapy walk invites guests to tune in their senses, connect with nature, and quiet the mind. 

More about this guided walk… 

We will meet at the Nature House where your guide, Agnes, will lead guests on a slow-paced walk covering less than 1 kilometer along Swan Lake's relatively smooth trails with minimal elevation gain. Along the way Agnes will encourage guests, through nature-based invitations, to take time to tune into our senses and connect with nature. 

To ensure you’re comfortable during our 2-hour guided walk, please plan to dress for seasonal weather. Since we will be walking slowly and creating very little body heat, please bring an extra layer. It may also be helpful to bring extra items in a backpack such as mitts, hat, and water. 

As our walk wraps up, we will share a cup tea and a light snack in appreciation to Swan Lake and our time with Nature. 

When: The walk will begin at 1:00pm and go until about 3:00pm. We encourage you to arrive 10 minutes early.

Where: Meet in front of the Nature House, 3873 Swan Lake Road, Victoria, BC

Cost: $20

About your facilitator, Agnes K.

Agnes has enjoyed playing, being, and learning about nature and the woods from a young age. From the woods to the ocean, Agnes’ curiosity of the beauty and calmness of nature reminds her of the connection we all have with the wildness around us. Being able to share this love and peace of nature with others is the inspiration for being a forest bathing guide. 
In the spring of 2025, Agnes successfully completed her certification as a Nature and Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy [URL embedded], graduating from the Chickadee cohort. 
Her safety training includes basic first aid training and a twenty-hour remote wilderness first aid through the Canadian Red Cross. 

Other helpful details:

You are encouraged to arrive 10 minutes prior to start time.

The Nature House facilities will be made available in case there is need for the two accessible washroom facilities.

Please dress appropriately for this outdoor activity (layers are recommended), including footwear well-suited for trail walking.

Free parking is available on site - please view the Parking page on our website (link embedded). Bike parking and nearby bus routes are also available.

We acknowledge the lək ̓ʷəŋən-speaking Peoples (Songhees and Esquimalt/Kosapsum) on whose territory the Nature Sanctuary stands, and the lək ̓ʷəŋən-speaking and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples — including the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum) and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) — whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

We respect the vital relationships of First Peoples with these lands and waters for countless generations. We are honoured to receive Indigenous guidance and welcome collaboration in stewardship and appreciation of the Nature Sanctuary.

For more information about the Nature Sanctuary's other charitable, non-profit activities click here, follow us @SwanLakeNature, or sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter.