Skip to main content

Cowichan Valley Trail

The Cowichan Valley Trail is a spectacular multi-use trail that is an integral part of  the Trans Canada Trail route on Southern Vancouver Island. The Cowichan Valley section runs from the Capital Regional District boundary at the top of the Malahat, north to Shawnigan Lake and the Kinsol Trestle, west to the Town of Lake Cowichan then north to the Nanaimo Regional District. 
 
The CVRD maintains the Cowichan Valley Trail except for the portion that runs through the Cowichan River Provincial Park (Holt Creek Trestle to the Town of Lake Cowichan).  This section is maintained by Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.  Please visit that site for regular updates as to the condition of that section of trail.
 
 The majority of the gravel trail is wide and flat with some sections running along the roadways. The trail provides for easy cycling and walking.

Activities/Amenities

  • Picnic areas
  • Trails
  • Horseback riding 
  • Cycling
  • Historic railway trestles

General Information

Land Acknowledgement
The CVRD is in the ancestral and unceded territories of First Nations including (but not limited to) Quw'utsun (Cowichan Tribes), MÁLEXEŁ (Malahat), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), c̓uubaʕsaʔtx̣ (Ts'uubaa-asatx), xeláltxw (Halalt), Spune’luxutth (Penelakut), Stz'uminus, Leey’qsun (Lyackson), Diitiidʔaaʔtx̣ (Ditidaht) and P’a:chi:da?aht (Pacheedaht) Peoples. Local First Nations Peoples have stewarded the lands of this region since time immemorial. The CVRD is committed to the ongoing journey of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the region by strengthening cooperation, collaboration, and relationship building.