Swartz Bay to Lake Cowichan BC, STAGE 2 of 2: from Bamberton Ferry to Lake Cowichan via Shawnigan Lake and Kinsol Trestle

Approaching Bamberton by ferry (from Brentwood Bay)

Disembarking ferry at Bamberton

Best to wait for the traffic and exhaust to clear before proceeding along road in direction of Mill Bay.

the Fayne Road climb, to Trans-Canada Highway crossing

A long, very steep climb. Continuing west, the Trans Canada highway crossing can be difficult; its best to wait for some cars to come along, trip the traffic light signal, and stop Trans Canada Highway traffic (bikes wont do that, and there's no pedestrian crossing push buttons here).

Forest Trails

Enter a maze of narrow trails with hard packed dirt surface, heavily shaded, through west coast forest. A live, sufficiently detailed e-map will help to emerge at the correct location. Dog walkers may appear around any corner and might be slow to get their dogs in hand, so go slow enough, maybe stop and say hi, and enjoy the forest.

Stream crossing

Navigation skill and a good detailed map will help to emerge from the network of forest trails at the right location.

Shawnigan Lake - Mill Bay Road

Photo of typical road conditions. When arriving at Shawnigan Lake there is a popular bakery with great take-away sandwiches, outdoor tables, etc. on the right, just before the major crossroads.

Shawnigan Lake

As mentioned, the bakery at the main crossroads of Shawnigan lake has good sandwiches, coffee, etc. and that area might be the last stop for quick and very-good takeaway provisions.

Waterfront Grill

Although the view dining here looks enticing, if planning this entire track it's probably best not to sit down (for long) until safely reaching the upper riverside deck of the Riverside Inn Pub at Lake Cowichan. Continuing south, stay to the smaller road along the lakeside, passing many beautiful cottages and lake views. Caution - Friendly dogs may be on the loose.

Sooke Lake Road - access Cowichan Valley Rail Trail

There is a steep winding climb up to this point on the Sooke Lake Road. Access a small (drop-off and pick-up only) parking lot on the Cowichan Valley Rail Trail system.

Wildflowers

Scenes like this occur frequently along the trail

The Kinsol Trestle

An historic railway trestle restoration. There is a short walk to the valley bottom where the river and the original base of the trestle can be viewed.

Trail conditions

The trail follows a light to medium gravel road here. Trail conditions are constantly varying.

More wildflowers

typical trail conditions.

Dark forest road

The forest path is more remote and generally rougher to the north of the Kinsol Trestle. The forest is often changing in nature, sometimes dark, sometimes open with views. Some intervals are favoured by ravens, which have a tremendous vocal range and are a pleasure to encounter. The trail passes a few working farms. There are occasional road crossings, which link to the paved highway between Duncan and Lake Cowichan, on the north side of the valley. This is reassuring in the event of a serious breakdown or mishap.

Glenora store 1.8 km off-track to north

A road crossing and sign to the nearest services and provisions.

Deciduous forest interval

More open and light-filled forest section. The trail passes some farms in this general area.

Holt Creek Trestle

There are four other trestles to the north of Kinsol. All are straight rather than curved, some are steel rather than wood base, none are as famous or spectacular as Kinsol, however they have much better river views and are more enclosed in the forest.

Mud obstacle

This mud section is around 15 meters long, and can be ridden by fat tire bikes, or walked easily.

Forest single track

The trail becomes progressively narrower and more overgrown to the NW, with some short rougher intervals. Watch for protruding branches and bramble shoots.

Junction with Cowichan River footpath

Excited youth can be heard shouting down by the Cowichan River, they presumably access it from the North side. It would be possible to do a short walk to the south bank of the river here, however it was not explored on the day, so it is unknown if it is safe for swimming at this location.

Cowichan River Trestle

Another high trestle with good Cowichan River views.

Skutz Falls Park

It's a short walk to the Cowichan River bank from a small park along the trail.

102 Mile Trestle

The last trestle before reaching Lake Cowichan village. Fishermen use mountain bikes along the trail in this area, some seen heading north along a minor path along the Cowichan River below this trestle.

Lake Cowichan Village

Enter the residential street network and head downhill to the river and town center. The upper outdoor deck at the Riverside Inn Pub seems to be the spot, directly overlooking the Cowichan River.