Cowichan Valley and Area

An Overview

Trail Description

Ironically, in order to travel east (ie towards Vancouver, and ultimately Alberta) on the Cowichan Valley Trail, you'll be traveling mostly NORTH. Therefore, the following directions start at the southern boundary (Capital Regional District/Victoria) and will direct you north to the boundary with the Regional District of Nanaimo (just north of Ladysmith)

Please note, the portion of the trail from Victoria to Shawnigan Lake is a gap and cannot be travelled. There is however 13 km of well graded trail running along the western shore of Shawnigan Lake that should not be missed! Currently our interim route connects this trail to Victoria using the Trans Canada Highway (#1) but we feel this is a major safety hazard and should not be attempted. You may wish to access the trail from Shawnigan Lake Road which runs from the Mill bay ferry to the trail at the northwest corner of Shawnigan Lake.

Travelling north, after 2 km, you'll cross the Kinsol Trestle. The trail continues north, and begins to curve westward. From the trestle, it's 36 km of forested rail trail until reaching the westernmost point of the Trans Canada Trail at Lake Cowichan. At this point, the TCT separates from the Vancouver Island Spine Trail, which when complete will travel 700 km all the way to Cape Scott!

At this point, turn 180 degrees and start going east. The Cowichan Valley Trail crosses the Cowichan River and travels 27 km along the north bank of the river, roughly parallel to Highway 18 and crosses Cowichan Lake Rd several times. When approaching Duncan, the trail splits, and the TCT takes the fork to the LEFT, leaving the rail corridor and heading north, immediately crossing a small bridge. On the right, the trail continues for 800 metres, passing under Cowichan Lake Rd and ending at Sherman Rd. This route is being developed as a spur into the city centre.

We hope you took the fork to the left - and if so, the gravel trail begins to follow the gas pipeline towards Somenos. The trail ends abruptly 2.5 km later at the golf course. Turn right on Johnston and proceed to Somenos Rd. This is the start of the "Westholme Gap" - the Trans Canada Trail is incomplete from here to Chemainus.

Turn onto Highway 18 and travel east, crossing the highway. From here, there are two bypass routes which can be followed. Either turn north on Bell McKinnon Rd, which is a straightforward route to Chemainus Road. Otherwise, continue east on Herd Road, then turn north on Osbourne Bay Road, passing through Crofton, before reaching Chemainus Road. This latter route is longer but provides a wider shoulder and connects to the ferry terminal for Salt Spring Island.

Heading north on Chemainus Road, the Cowichan Valley Trail appears again along the E&N railway, starting at Crozier Road and continues for 2.2 km through Chemainus. From here, a second gap exists for 7.5 km - this is the "Chemainus Gap" - but a new section of E&N rail trail can be accessed through a forested park within 5 km on your left. Consult the map for exact directions!

From North Watts Road, the trail is a bike lane along Chemainus Road all the way to North David Road where you will cross the highway. Stay on the southbound shoulder, where a trail runs north, separated from the highway by a barrier, crossing Holland Creek using the highway bridge pedestrian walkway, then climbs uphill to the streets of Ladysmith on Bayview Ave. If stopping for lunch or hauling heavy gear on your bike, you might want to continue north on 1st Ave into town - this connects with the trail on the north side of town and is less complicated!

To stay on the TCT, turn right on Methuen St. When it ends at the highway, find the trail heading south, leading downhill to a tunnel under the highway. You will now find yourself in Transfer Beach Park on the waterfront, where the trail follows Transfer Beach Boulevard, then turn right onto Oyster Bay Drive, headed north to a car park on the right. From here, walkers can use a short stretch of quiet rail trail, but bicyclists might find it difficult to exit the trail (there are stairs at the northern end) so we recommend to ride along the quiet roads parallel to the rail trail.

At the northern edge of town, the trail leaves Rocky Creek Road, turning left onto 1st Ave to cross the highway. Climbing uphill to the roundabout, turn right onto Symon St, the immediately right onto 2nd Ave, continuing to Strathcona St (turn left), then turn right onto Christie Road, which runs for 2.4 km, winding 180 degrees uphill. A blue gate on the right indicates a fomer logging road where the Cowichan Valley Trail continues downhill, heading north past the fish hatchery and over the Bush Creek bridge. From here, it is easy to navigate the trail to Timberlands Road, where the Cowichan Valley Trail ends - and the regional district of Nanaimo begins!