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