Cowichan Valley and Area

An Overview

E&N Railway, Cowichan Valley - Photo by Fuzzy

The Cowichan Valley boasts the highest mean temperatures in Canada. It is home to Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, where some of the world's tallest trees are located, Pacific Rim National Park and the West Coast Trail, and the award-winning mural town of Chemainus. History, arts, culture, and native influences are prevalent.

Development of the Trans Canada Trail in the Cowichan Valley has been a priority and involves many organizations. Much of the trail follows abandoned Canadian National Railway lines.

These abandoned rail lines include several restored trestle bridges, some offering magnificent views of the rivers they cross. The most spectacular, the Kinsol trestle, is yet to be restored. It was built in 1921 and is one of the largest and highest in the world. The bridge crosses the Koksilah River, and although impassible at present, it's worth the trip to see this spectacular wooden structure. An interim route is provided to cross the river.

Trail Description

Kinsol Trestle - Photo by George Klein

This is a brief description of the Trans Canada Trail route in the Cowichan Valley area. The description includes references to the markers shown on the map below. An excellent description of the route is contained in the book Trans Canada Trail - the British Columbia Route.

The interim route of the Trans Canada Trail enters the south end of the Cowichan Valley area on the Trans Canada Highway. From the highway, follow Shawnigan Lake Road [1] and Sooke Lake Road [2] to the trailhead [3] where the permanent route begins. The trail parallels the west side of Shawnigan Lake, then north to the Kinsol Trestle [4].

From the trailhead to the town of Lake Cowichan [6], the trail follows an abandoned railway line that has several impressive trestle bridges built by the railway. These have been rebuilt for trail use and provide spectacular views of the canyons and river valleys that they cross. The Kinsol Trestle [4] is one of the largest and highest wooden trestle bridges in the world. It was originally built as part of the railway to service the now abandoned King Solomon Copper Mines. The trestle is closed and an interim route around it is provided.

North of the Kinsol Trestle, the trail travels through a small valley, then on to the south side of the Cowichan River. The view from the Marie Canyon / 99 Mile Trestle [5] is particularly outstanding. The trail passes through an area of huge moss covered trees that are especially pleasant in summer. The section of the trail in the Cowichan River Provincial Park has a fairly hard surface and is particularly good for cycling with small children.

In the town of Lake Cowichan [6], the trail crosses the Cowichan River and follows the Cowichan Lake Road to the outskirts of Duncan. The route continues on Sherman Road [7] to the Trans Canada Highway, then along the highway to Herd Road [8]. The trail travels west along Herd Road to Osborne Bay Road [9] where it turns north to the town of Crofton. At Crofton, the trail uses York Avenue and Chaplin Street to get to Crofton Road [10].

Crofton Road connects with Chemainus Road [11] and leads to the town of Chemainus [12], a very popular tourist destination. The history of Chemainus is long and varied, but more recently it has become famous for the many murals painted on the buildings throughout the town. The trail continues north on Chemainus Road and eventually meets and crosses the Trans Canada Highway. The trail follows Davis Road, Dogwood Drive [13], Methuen Street, and a new trail under the Trans Canada Highway to Transfer Beach Park [14] beside Ladysmith harbor.

The trail route follows Transfer Beach Boulevard, then an old railway line which connects to Melamos Road [15] and eventually back to the Trans Canada Highway. The route continues along the highway north to Takla Road [16], west to Cameron Road and north to Timberlands Road [17]. At this point, the trail is under development and a Haslam Creek Map is provided for instructions.

The trail route description north continues on the Nanaimo and Area page.

Trail Map Details

Click HERE for larger version of map.

1. Shawnigan Lake Road: Interim trail route.
    
2. Sooke Lake Road: Interim trail route.
    
3. Trail Head: This is the beginning of the permanent Trans Canada Trail route in the Cowichan Valley.
    
4. Kinsol Trestle: This is one of the largest and highest wooden trestle bridges in the world. The trestle was originally built in 1921 as part of the railway to service the now abandoned King Solomon Copper Mines. The trestle is closed and an interim route around it is provided.
    
5. Marie Canyon Trestle: This is one of many trestle bridges rebuilt for trail use. It is also known as the 99 Mile Trestle, and it offers outstanding views.
    
6. Town of Lake Cowichan: The trail crosses the Cowichan River here. Food, accommodation, and other services are available.
    
7. Sherman Road: Trail route.
    
8. Herd Road: Trail route.
    
9. Osborne Bay Road: Trail route.
    
10. Crofton Road: Trail route.
     
11. Chemainus Road: Trail route.
     
12. Chemainus: A very popular tourist destination. Chemainus has become famous for the many murals painted on the buildings throughout the town.
     
13. Dogwood Drive: Trail route.
     
14. Transfer Beach Park: Located beside the entrance to Ladysmith harbor, and an excellent picnic area.
     
15. Melamos Road: Trail route.
     
16. Takla Road: Trail route.
     
17. Timberlands Road: Trail route.
     
18. Haslam Creek Bridge: This suspension bridge was built in 2002 specifically for the Trans Canada Trail.
     

Links to Related Web Sites

• Vancouver Island
    http://www.vancouverisland.com/
• Cowichan Tourism Association
    http://www.cowichan.bc.ca/
• Chemanus Murals
    http://www.northcowichan.bc.ca/murals.htm