WELCOME!
Our small-group Hop on Hop off "Artisan Trail " shuttle is the perfect way to explore, sip and savour your way through some of the best local artisans & attractions on the Island!
Along the trail expect to discover delicious locally made offerings such as fresh pastries, charcuterie, wood-fired pizza, chutneys & spreads, ice cream, gelato and home baked sweets at many of the stops!
This is a "must-do" experience for anyone visiting Salt Spring Island!
CHECK OUT OUR STOPS
Tour Departs from Salt Spring Visitor Info Centre
Start Here
START HERE
Ganges Village Visitor Information Centre
121 Lower Ganges Rd, BC, Canada
Your Artisan Trail adventure begins in the heart of Ganges Village, right by the harbour, shops, cafés, and the Public Market.
- Arrive 5 minutes early and look for the Hop On Hop Off shuttle
- Grab a coffee or snack nearby before departure
- Explore the harbourfront or market if you arrive early
- Easy access from BC Transit and ferry walk-ons
- Free public parking available behind the Visitor Centre
May - September
Thursday to Sunday
Departure Times: 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm
**Limited to just 20 spots per departure**
Nature's Symphony
Faces of Humanity
Sands of Time
Beyond Boundaries
Salt Spring Island Cheese
Say cheese, Salt Spring style.
Salt Spring Island Cheese is a must-stop on the Artisan Trail and a true taste of what makes the island special.
- Sample a wide range of handcrafted artisan cheeses with house-made jams, chutneys, and preserves
- Explore the farm on a self-guided walk and visit the goat barn
- Watch the cheese-making and packaging process through viewing windows
- Enjoy the courtyard café with wood-fired pizza, fresh salads, and cheesecake made with their own cheese
- Cool off with gelato made from the same goat milk used in their cheeses
Come hungry, take your time, and savour one of Salt Spring Island’s most iconic food experiences.
Sacred Mountain Lavender Farm (seasonal)
Immerse yourself in a world of lavender!
Sacred Mountain Lavender is a seasonal highlight on the Artisan Trail, offering a peaceful, sensory-rich experience set against the slopes of Mount Tuam.
- Over 60 varieties of organically grown lavender
- 2.5 acres of lavender fields blooming late June through early September
- Self-guided farm walk through demonstration and harvest areas
- Behind-the-scenes look at propagation, drying, and essential oil distillation
- Farm shop featuring plants, spa products, and culinary treats
- Cool off with a lavender fruitsicle or tea
Take a deep breath, slow your pace, and soak in one of Salt Spring Island’s most calming and colourful stops.
Salt Spring Brewing Co.
Drink beer with nature!
Tucked into a forested hillside, Salt Spring Brewing Co. is a relaxed, nature-forward stop where great beer meets West Coast scenery.
- Small-batch craft beer brewed with mountain spring water
- Fresh, unpasteurized beer with no preservatives
- Locally sourced ingredients whenever possible
- Rotating taps including fan favourites and seasonal releases
- Forest-side patio perfect for unwinding between tastings
Sip slowly, breathe in the forest air, and enjoy one of the island’s most iconic craft beer experiences.
Garry Oaks Estate Winery
Award-winning wine with a valley view.
Overlooking the Burgoyne Valley, Garry Oaks Estate Winery blends beautiful scenery with estate-grown, award-winning wines.
- Wines grown and bottled entirely on-site
- Sustainably farmed seven-acre estate vineyard
- Historic farm setting with pond, mini labyrinth, and Garry oak trees
- Charming tasting room showcasing awards and oak barrels
- Scenic property walks and comfortable Adirondack seating
Whether you’re strolling the grounds or relaxing with a glass, this stop invites you to linger and savour the view.
Ciderworks &
Salt Spring Apple Co.
Heritage apples, modern cider.
Ciderworks is a must-visit stop where orchard views, rare apples, and thoughtfully crafted cider come together.
- Organic orchard home to over 425 heritage and connoisseur apple varieties
- Small-batch cider made with minimal intervention and no added sugar
- Ciderworks building overlooking a sloping hillside orchard
- Focus on apples traditionally used for cider-making
- Ocean views, cider tastings, and seasonal treats like apple fritters
From orchard to glass, this stop offers a true taste of Salt Spring’s apple-growing legacy.
Ganges Village & Market
The heart of island life.
Ganges Village is the perfect place to begin and end your Artisan Trail day, offering harbour views, local shops, and a lively community atmosphere.
- Waterfront strolls along Ganges Harbour
- Saturday Public Market from April to October in Centennial Park
- Local artists, makers, and handcrafted goods
- Fresh produce, baked goods, and island-made foods
- Cafés, galleries, and easy access to shops and services
Take your time, explore at your own pace, and enjoy the creative spirit that makes Ganges the heart of Salt Spring Island.
TESTIMONIALS
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Contact Us
Cant find an answer to your question in our FAQ's or just want to say hi? We’d love to hear from you.
Shoot us an email and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can - cheers!
Route Starts at Salt Spring Visitor Information Centre
Contact Us
We respectfully acknowledge that our place of work is within the ancestral, unsurrendered, and unceded lands of the Coast Salish First Nations Peoples. These include the Quw’utsun Tribes (Cowichan), Spune’luxutth (Penelakut), BOḰEĆEN (Paquachin), MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) and W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum) nations.
We here at Salt Spring Hop On Hop Off are grateful to the ancestral land keepers of this beautiful island we are fortunate enough to call home. We acknowledge and respect the historical relationships of First Nations People to the land, culture, and spirit of this island that is still thriving here today.
