48 49.39 N 124 03.38 W – Western Terminus of the Trans Canada Trail in the town of Lake Cowichan. Old rail grade through provincial park and private forest lands. That 1% grade is much more pleasant going downhill! There were very few road crossings – less than one per mile – and even less traffic on them. Swampy section between the 66 and 70.2 mile trestles. Cowichan Valley Trail is a 67.4 mile lightly trafficked point-to-point trail located near Cowichan Valley F, British Columbia, Canada that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. News article here.This new 4.3 km section connects Chemainus in the South with Saltair in the North. Work out when and for how long to visit Cowichan Valley trail and other Lake Cowichan attractions using our handy Lake Cowichan visit planner. You can see a map here. When you reach Cowichan Lake village, there are signs with maps to guide you from one trail head to the other (~1/2 km), so you can loop back east. There are approximately 1200 hectares of Community Parks and 823 hectares of Regional Parkland plus the Cowichan Valley Trail. A recent addition to the Cowichan Valley Trail is the Saltair Rail With Trail project completed this spring. Cowichan Valley hikes and trails Mallory Marrs 01.22.18 If you’re taking a course at VIU’s Cowichan campus and looking for something to do after class, or otherwise eager for some adventure, here is a list of just a few of the many hikes and trails available in the Cowichan Valley. The trail offers a number Show more Sandy Pool Regional Park Loop Did this by bike. But the Vancouver Island Trail is routed to the west along the south side of Cowichan Lake, through the communities of Mesachie Lake and Honeymoon Bay. The trail is about 122 kilometres long, stretching from the Capital Regional District all the way to the Regional District of Nanaimo. Terrain: On the railway bed except for a few small hills. No potable water is provided along this route. Currently we are only featuring Maple Mountain on it but it will be expanding to include Mount Tzouhalem in early 2019 and … The Kinsol, Holt Creek, Marie Canyon, and McGee Creek Trestles can all be found along the 122 kilometre trail and have been restored for hiking, cycling, and equestrian use as part of the rail/trail experience. Suitable for children. Eastbound Pine Street to TCT. There is a nice picnic spot at the west end of the 66 Mile Trestle. Much of this trail follows the Cowichan Valley Trail: https://www.cvrd.bc.ca/121/Cowichan-Valley-Trail, This section is also included in the Trans Canada Trail: http://www.tctrail.ca/, Glenora Trails Head to 66 mile Trestle (10.9km), https://www.cvrd.bc.ca/121/Cowichan-Valley-Trail. Cherry Point Estate Wines. The full hike from the parking lot to the end Turns out that the Cowichan Valley has the highest mean temperatures in Canada. It is very easy to confuse these when starting from Lake Cowichan. and the Skutz Falls parking lot is about 200m to the west on Riverbottom Rd. So Monday the temperature was in the 90’s. To access the terminus when entering Lake Cowichan town from highway 18, follow signs through the first roundabout to the South Shore Road/ Honeymoon Bay. We enjoyed the ride – and the Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut we shared after we got to our hotel room. The trail after Cowichan Lake not so much. Turns out that the Cowichan Valley has the highest mean temperatures in Canada. Swimming in the Cowichan River is at the swimmer’s discretion – rapids, pools, long slow meandering sections of the river are all to be found. Skutz Falls parking lot has room for 20 -25 vehicles. There are numerous road crossings west of the 66 mile trestle. The board faces growing public opposition to the proposal and also a lawsuit threat from the property owners, who say the permit has been needlessly delayed. The Cowichan Valley Regional District has done a great job upgrading this 26km long trail. To get e-mail updates, please enter your e-mail address below. This section of the trail has some excellent river access points. The Cowichan Valley Trail is open to hikers, bikers and horseback riders that want to experience all of the wonderful views available. River access is most often steep and rugged, however. VISPINE Trail and TCT in Lake Cowichan. Except when I showed him the intake valve also, he noticed the crack. Otherwise, most other surface water is small seasonal creeks and swampy areas. The first two thirds of the trail from the 66 Mile Trestle to the “Seventy Point Two Trestle” is mostly contained within Cowichan River Park, passing through protected mature second growth forests of … From Lake Cowichan town the Great Trail/Trans Canada Trail crosses to the north side of the Cowichan River valley and retreats eastward, en route to Nanaimo. There were also several really muddy sections:  amazing considering the drought we are in. … No hiccups. According to Istace, it has already become very popular with bike commuters. We started our ride at Glenora Trails Head Park, near Duncan. It is very easy to confuse these when starting from Lake Cowichan. Guide and map Distance: 122 Km, but there are several access points for shorter rides. When eastbound, you have to exit the trail and follow Pine St. for three blocks to join the Trans Canada Trail and not the Cowichan Valley Rail Trail. The parking lots were jammed. IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THOSE STARTING THIS TRAIL IN LAKE COWICHAN (East/ South bound): There are two trails, easily confused, that branch off from the Trans Canada Trail Head in Lake Cowichan. The Cowichan River Footpath has a number of access points that leave the rail-bed and wander nearer the river, to join the old rail-bed again. If you park at the Skutz Falls lot, the Trans Canada Trail passes beside the lot on the opposite side from the river. Then we got back on the bike and headed the 13 miles back to the truck. These access points are clearly signed, suitable for foot traffic, and possible treatable water access on the Cowichan River. 36 m Fitness Trail Loop is a 1.3 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Cowichan Valley, British Columbia, Canada that features a river and is good for all skill levels. Turn left and find the terminus immediately to your left. Then take an immediate left again onto Cowichan Lake Rd. Follow Mayo Rd for 2.5 km to Riverbottom Rd. We saw people tubing on the river and enjoyed a brief stop at Skutz Falls. The Denninger Trails are named after a local scout leader who helped build the network of paths. The Parks & Trails Division manages 206 Community Parks, eight Regional Parks, two Regional Trails and Cobble Hill Mountain Regional Recreation Area. History. Combined with the CTSS, we join together collaboratively with our surrounding neighbours of the Cowichan Valley in support of trails and the many values they bring. The northern branch is the Cowichan Valley Rail Trail, which stays on the north of the Cowichan River and ends in Duncan town; the southern branch is the Trans Canada trail, which crosses over to the south side of the Cowichan River and ends at the Kinsol Trestle at Shawnigan Lake. From Victoria: Take the Malahat Highway (Route 1) north towards Nanaimo. Nature’s. Cross the bridge and stay on South Shore Road until you reach the A&W restaurant. Easy-peasy. We have wanted to ride this trail all summer and finally knew we had to do it before we leave San Juan Island. Five (5) km north of Duncan, turn left onto highway 18, Lake Cowichan. The rail trail is known as the Cowichan Valley Trail, which is the Cowichan Valley Regional District's contribution to the Trans Canada Trail along with the Cowichan … Be safety conscious if you think swimming in the Cowichan River is a good idea. The Cowichan Valley, however, in the interior of the island, doesn’t benefit from the temperate ocean breezes in the summer. Driving Directions to and GPS Coordinates of the Trail Head. On our “weekend” Tom and I headed over to Vancouvers Island, British Columbia, to ride the Cowichan Valley Trail. So we ended up getting some cold stuff to drink and a cookie at Subway. Whether you want hilly or flat, easy or more challenging, this mountain has something to suit. If you park at the 66 Mile Trestle day use area, the Trans Canada trail is a short walk south from the parking lot – follow the developed trail away from the road, towards the river. “The winds will be from the south east and there is a possibility of wind warnings being issued for the day in … TRAILS APP North Cowichan has released a trails app (currently for iOS only) that includes all forestry roads and sanctioned trails for hiking or mountain biking. — Crews have begun repair work on a shut down section of the Cowichan Valley Trail, a well-travelled walking trail in Duncan, B.C. The Kinsol Trestle is one of eight trestles along the Cowichan Valley Trail route and by far the largest and most spectacular. The rest of the trail is mostly seasonal swamps not suitable for treatment. Be sure to take water left one car in town at parking lot, went west, on pine street … Cowichan Valley Trail. Cowichan Valley trail is located in Lake Cowichan. A must-see along the trail, the curved Kinsol Trestle spans 187 metres and is one of the tallest free-standing timber trestles worldwide. GPS Coordinates and Photograph of ENDPOINT of TRAIL. Biking the Cowichan Valley Trail was exactly what we needed to get the job done. There was no cell phone access on the Telus network near Skutz Falls. GPS coordinates, 66 Mile Day Use Area: 48 46.65N  123 5.81W, GPS coordinates, Skutz Falls Parking lot: 48 46.97N  123 57.07. There was a short section of cobbled rock which was challenging for Tom, who had to steer, and me as we bounced. The trail follows an old rail grade. Much of the trail is shaded from the summer sun which makes it ideal for year-round adventures. The first two thirds of the trail from the 66 Mile Trestle to the “Seventy Point Two Trestle” is mostly contained within Cowichan River Park, passing through protected mature second growth forests of varying ages. No public road access is available, except at access points at either end of this trail section. The Cowichan Valley Regional District board has pushed back a decision on a controversial campground development in the Cowichan estuary. The Cowichan Valley 8 is a 190km figure-eight bikepacking route that starts and ends at the parliament buildings in downtown Victoria, British Columbia. The ride was beautiful. Most of the trail was beautiful and pleasant with a surface of crushed limestone. We pedaled uphill over two hours to reach Lake Cowichan, our destination and mile 0 on the Trans Canada Trail (The Great Trail). Mayo Rd meets Riverbottom Rd – Turn right to Skutz falls parking area (200m) , or turn left to 66 Mile Trestle day use parking area (1.5 km). Cowichan Lake at the terminus of the Kinsol to Cowichan Lake section is a full service community. We expected to ride about 25 miles on Monday and then do another 25 on Tuesday. meets Riverbottom Rd, the 66 Mile Trestle day use area is about 1.5 km along Riverbottom Rd. The trail is wide, often road width, with occasional single track sections, clear, and well graded. When we got to Lake Cowichan most of the people in the small town were swimming or floating on the lake. We were a little concerned because we were hot and tired. This gem follows several regional trails, including the Galloping Goose Trail, Sooke Wilderness Trail, and The Great Trail. Safety: Safe off-road cycling. Wear adequate clothing and footwear. Biking The Cowichan Valley Trail Biking The Cowichan Valley Trail. This extraordinary loop features more than 60 km of rail trail that takes in the Kinsol Trestle, the Marie Trestle and Canyon, Skutz Falls, the Cowichan River, spectacular forests as well as Duncan, and the touristy fishing village of Cowichan Bay. Please click here for more information on the Kinsol Trestle. meets Riverbottom Rd. Other notable trails include the 20 km Cowichan River Footpath, which winds west from Duncan to spectacular Skutz Falls, and the Trans Canada Trail, which skirts Shawnigan Lake and crosses over the 144-foot-high, knee-knocking Kinsol Trestle to Cowichan Lake, North Cowichan and Ladysmith. The Cowichan Valley Trail is a Vancouver Island gem, running from Shawnigan Lake to Ladysmith. IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THOSE STARTING THIS TRAIL IN LAKE COWICHAN (East/ South bound): There are two trails, easily confused, that branch off from the Trans Canada Trail Head in Lake Cowichan. I had read this on the Trails BC website pre trip: "It should be noted that the Cowichan Valley Regional District does NOT have a license to maintain the section of trail from Glenora Station (north of the Kinsol Trestle) to the town of Cowichan Lake. There are two major crossings of the Cowichan River, at the 66 Mile Trestle and the 70.3 Mile Trestle. We are working to get a GPS track for our maps, but our current maps will continue to use the old roadside route. The Kinsol Trestle is one of the tallest free-standing and most spectacular timber rail trestle structures in the world. The Cowichan Valley Trail is a gorgeous lightly used rail-trail. The trail was closed to the public earlier this year after a major washout between the Holt Creek Trestle and 64.4 Mile Trestle made hiking it too treacherous. If you turn left when Mayo Rd. We are in our 70's and found it a bit long and sometimes tedious in continuous uphill. Length: 1.3 mi • Est. Larger vehicles and vehicles with trailers should have no problem parking/ turning in either area. Parking:  There are two main parking areas near this trail access, both accessed from Riverbottom Road via Mayo Road. Most of the businesses were closed for Labor Day (yes, they do celebrate that in Canada). Refer to the earth view in the attached photo file below or check out the Cowichan Valley Trail website. We did the first eight miles in less than 30 minutes. We expected to ride about 25 miles on Monday and then do another 25 on Tuesday. But it turns out the trip back was a lot faster and almost all downhill. Cowichan Valley trail, Lake Cowichan: See 47 reviews, articles, and 41 photos of Cowichan Valley trail, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 12 attractions in Lake Cowichan. Networks. From there, the ride was mostly uphill, although being a rail-trail, the grade was generally less than 1%. Macomber Loom: Making Space for the Big One, February - April - Fort Frederica National Monument, St. Simons Island, Georgia, Life is uncertain and it is hard to make plans right now. Horses are also able to use this trail. The Cowichan River is one of the South Island’s signature rivers. It runs from Shawnigan Lake, around Lake Cowichan, to Duncan. We checked out an ice cream place but decided the 10 flavors of ice cream weren’t worth the calories. Repairs and […] Surface: Gravel and hard dirt, some sand and rocks, but OK for a hybrid bike. As with all hikes make sure you set out on your adventure prepared with a good knowledge of the trail. Quite a bit of the trail traveled through the Cowichan River Provincial Park. Building. No crossing difficulties are encountered, as the old rail grade has culverts, bridges, or trestles over all crossings. City of Trail 2 years after huge highway acid spill, Kootenay Ford dealer’s frustration grows with ICBC Trail AM Ford owner Dan Ashman says he just wants fair compensation from ICBC An excellent spot for a guided tour, wine tasting and dining, Cherry Point … The shaded trail ran through old-growth forest and criss-crossed the Cowichan River on old railroad trestles. Of the 28 km of road, approximately 23 km will be replaced at some point in the future with constructed trail with only 5 km remaining on roads to complete the 120 km Cowichan Valley Trail. TransCanada trail endpoint in Lake Cowichan. 50.7 km Did the Cowichan Valley trail (Trans Canada Trail on the west side of town. See Cowichan River Provincial Park. The map zooming in to Duncan also shows a track (blue) that can get you back into Duncan if you choose not to go south to Shawnigan Lake. Highlights definitely included all the trestle bridges, with Kinsol being the most spectacular; the gorgeous sections of the Cowichan River; and the backcountry forests and farm land views of the valley. It is 22,000 miles of recreational trail stretching all across Canada with a big loop going into the northern provinces. If you’d like an overview of local trails, there are several brochures available. Access to the Cowichan River via steep trail is possible at the 66 Mile Trestle and the 70.2 Mile Trestle for surface water requiring treatment. DUNCAN, B.C. You can also park at the Skutz Falls parking lot – turn right when Mayo Rd. After the 70.2 Trestle, it passes through private forest lands, with second growth patches and newer logging until you reach Lake Cowichan. As you approach Cowichan Lake town, cell phone access improves. You can see a map here. Much of it is rail-trail, our favorite kind of ride. The northern branch is the Cowichan Valley Rail Trail, which stays on the north of the Cowichan River and ends in Duncan town; the southern branch is the Trans Canada trail, which crosses over to the south side of the Cowichan River and ends at the Kinsol Trestle at Shawnigan Lake. The tracks and ties have been removed. There are no accessible points along this section aside from the access points at either end. Posted April 27, 2019 -- Notice affects Cowichan Valley area -- A new section of Trans Canada Trail / The Great Trail in the Cowichan Valley has been officially opened. The portion of the Cowichan Valley Trail, between Holt Creek Trestle and 64.4 Mile Trestle, that is closed due to unsafe conditions. The Cowichan Valley Trail is 122 km long (76 miles for those of us who are metrically challenged). We have put together a small list of some of the favorite hikes in the Cowichan Valley that give a little taste of what the region has to offer. If I was younger, the Great Trail would be on my life list. First I biked a 1 kilometre long hill back up to the highway to the first parts store. Malcolmson, Cowichan Valley MLA Sonia Furstenau and Cowichan Valley Medical Health Officer Dr. Shannon Waters joined the meeting after that. So it didn’t look uphill, but after 13 miles it certainly felt uphill. It runs from Shawnigan Lake, around Lake Cowichan, to Duncan. 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