Parks and Trails : Nature Hikes
Cowichan Bay, Cobble Hill, Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake
Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
- Carmanah
Walbran Provincial Park. It is no walk in the park.
It is ,however, one of the most beautiful, rugged, wilderness
areas in British Columbia and... it is the oldest protected wilderness
forest of Vancouver Island. Walbran Provincial Park consists of
three sections - Lower Carmanah Valley, the Walbran Valley and
the Upper Carmanah Valley. Nature is a resilient bunch and nothing
indicates that more then the twisted 1000 year old cedars clinging
to rock cliffs and wrapping around boulders.
[ more
info about the Carmanah Valley ... ]
- Cowichan
River. The river is a designated Provincial Heritage
River famous for it's Salmon and Steelhead fishery. The Cowichan
River is filled with different emotions every season from rising
water levels and thundering rapids to calm flowing currents. Seasons
change and so does the Cowichan River as trees get caught up in
the rivers fury causing log jams and sweepers unexpectedly. The
monster rapids, the big boys, exist at Marie Canyon and Skutz
Falls most of the year.
[ more
info about the Cowichan River ... ]
- Cowichan
River Footpath. 20 km. scenic hike through forests
along the Cowichan River, over bridges and with lush salal and
ferns draped over the forests floors. Backpacking permitted. Access
at Skutz Falls off Hwy #18 or at the Cowichan Fish and Game Headquarters
on Glenora Rd in Duncan.
[ more
info about the Cowichan River Foot Path... ]
- Gordon
Bay Provincial Park. A fresh water
lake ideal area for families, couples and adventure seekers who
wish to enjoy the outdoors in a green environment surrounded by
trees and mountains. Gordon Bay Provincial Park has a large white
sandy beach area which compliments the main activities found on
Cowichan Lake like swimming, water skiing, wind surfing, sun tanning
and canoeing.
[ more info
about Gordon Bay Provincial Park ... ]
- Art Mann Kinsman Park.
Quamichan Lake. Bird watching with sandpipers, seagulls, trumpeter
swans. Childrens play area. Access at the beginning of Maple Bay
Rd and towards the end of Tzouhalem Rd in Duncan.
- Bamberton Provincial Park. Scenic
ocean views with some trails and a picnic area. There is some
camping at this park with limited amenities. Access north of Mill
Bay off of Hwy #1.
- Bright Angel Park. Playground,
walking trails, river swimming and picnic areas. South of Duncan
off of Koksilah Rd near Cowichan Bay and Cowichan Station.
- Cobble Hill Mountain Trail and Quarry
Wilderness Park. Hiking trails located off of Cobble
Hill Rd in Cobble Hill BC.
- Cowichan Bay Estuary. Great assortment
of sea birds, trumpeter swans, eagles, and more.
- Cowichan Bay Museum. Boatbuilding,
marine history of Cowichan Bay on a pier. Located at 1761 Cowichan
Bay Rd.
- Cowichan Bay Scenic Drive. Short
loop drive around the shoreline along Cowichan Bay Rd. into the
quaint seaside fishing village of Cowichan Bay. Access off Hwy
#1 south of Duncan.
- Cowichan Valley Museum. Located
in Downtown Duncan. Offers a glipse into the areas rich natural
past. Tel(250)746-6612
- Crofton Beach. Play area, ferry
terminal, and picnic area. Newly added foot bridge along the shoreline.
Access from downtown Crofton.
- Duncan Totem Tour. Follow the
foot steps to see the over 70 Totem Poles. Start at the Cowichan
Valley Museum downtown Duncan.
- Duncan World's Largest Hockey Stick.
Located at the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan.
- Eves Provincial Park. Scenic
valley views from the trails. Picnic area. Located off of Little
Mountain Rd. near Crofton BC.
- Genoa Bay Road Scenic Drive.
Along ocean coastline, along rock walls and pass fields. Marinas,
and restaurants amd plenty pf places to stop. Access off Maple
Bay Rd in Duncan.
- Hecate Park. Picnic on the shores
of the ocean in Cowichan Bay. Located off of Cowichan Bay Rd in
Cowichan Bay BC.
- Kerry Park Trails. Fantastic
easy grade trails for walking and jogging. Located behind Mill
Bay Recreation Centre on Shawnigan-Mill Bay Road.
- Kinsol Trestle. Old steam engine
trestle spanning the Koksilah River Canyon. Largest of it's kind
using 700,000 feet of lumber. Platform viewpoints. Access off
Koksilah Road.
- Kokisilah River Provincial Park.
Nature trails, swimming holes and mountain biking. Camping available.
Located off of Renfrew Road in Shawnigan Lake.
- Maple Bay Beach. Short beach
walks, driftwood, picnic area, boat launch, kayaking and scuba
diving. Access at the end of Maple Bay Road.
- Maple Mountain. Rough dirt road
access by vehicle part way up mountain. Ocean scenic views hiking
the many trails and mountain bike paths through out the area.
Located off Osborne Bay Rd, Crofton BC.
- Mason's Beach. Popular swimming
hole with picnic area and a small sandy beach. Located in Shawnigan
Lake BC on Shawnigan Lake Rd.
- Marie Canyon Park. Scenic cliffside
views of the Cowichan River and Little Skutz Falls. River fishing
and picnic area. Road access off of West Riverbottom Rd.
- Mill Bay Nature Park. Walking
trails and hiking paths with a rocky beach. Located in Mill Bay
off of Holling Rd.
- Mount Prevost. Views of the whole
Cowichan Valley. Execellent look out points. Cairn and Wildflower
Reserve. Varying degree of difficulty. Access from Mt. Prevost
Rd off of Somenos Rd. north of Duncan.
- Mount Tzouhalem. Loaded with
hiking and mountain biking trails. Spectacular views and display
of wildflowers, deer, and eagles. Hike to large cross over looking
valley. Access along Maple Rd and Genoa Bay Rd.
- Norske Canada Crofton Division.
Free tours of the Mill in the Summer. Located in Crfton BC Tel(250)246-6006
- Old Baldy Mountain. Hiking trails
and mountain biking. Located east of Shawnigan Lake off of Shawnigan
Lake Rd.
- Old Mill Community Park. Walking
trails, swimming area and picnicking area. Located on East Shawnigan
Lake Rd., Shawnigan Lake, BC, Vancouver Island.
- Richards Mountain. Hiking trails
leading you to Crofton Lake. Access from Roberts Street in Crofton
BC.
- Sandy Pool Park. Well laid out
beach for children, also a boat launch and a short hiking loop
trail. Road access off of Riverbottom Rd.
- Shawnigan Lake Scenic Dive. Lakeside
loop drive in and out of fields, trees and lake views. Access
from Shawnigan Lake Rd. turn off on Hwy#1 near Mill Bay, British
Columbia.
- Skutz Falls. Lively waters for
tubing, fishing and swimming. Picnic area and pleasant walks in
the area. Access off Hwy #18 heading towards Lake Cowichan BC.
- Spectacle Lake Provincial Park.
Hiking trails and mountain biking, with some swimming and picnic
areas. Access at the top of the Malahet Drive off of Spectacle
Lake Rd.
- Stoltz Pool Park. Pleasant walks,
fishing, swimming area great for kids, tubing and picnic area.
Road access off of West Riverbottom Rd.
- Somenos Marsh. Wildlife bird
sanctuary with short trails and viewing platforms. Access off
Hwy #1 north of Duncan.
- Trans Canada Trail. Walking,
hiking and horseback riding. Access points are McGee Creek, Renfrew
Rd and Kinsol Trestle around Shawnigan Lake and Deerholme Wye
and Cowichan Valley Rod and Gun Club near Duncan
|
|
|
S.
Cowichan 
Parks
& Trails 
Photo
Gallery