Cowichan Valley

Know the region

The Cowichan Valley guide

The Cowichan Valley stretches from the top of the Malahat to just south of Nanaimo — a warm, green bowl of farmland, rivers and small towns that the Cowichan people named for its climate: the "warm land." It has quietly become the Island's food-and-wine country, with vineyards, cideries and farm gates threaded along its back roads, and Duncan at its centre.

Landmarks & attractions

Duncan calls itself the City of Totems, with dozens of carved poles standing throughout its walkable downtown. Cowichan Bay — one of North America's first designated slow-food communities — stacks its seafood shops and galleries on pilings over the water. The Kinsol Trestle near Shawnigan Lake is one of the tallest timber rail trestles in the world, now a spectacular crossing on the Cowichan Valley Trail, and the Malahat Skywalk spirals visitors above the treetops at the valley's southern gate. The Cowichan River, a designated BC Heritage River, draws swimmers, tubers and fly-fishers all summer; Chemainus turned itself into an open-air gallery with its famous murals; and Lake Cowichan opens onto the big lake country of the valley's west end.

Towns & communities

Duncan and North Cowichan hold the shops and services; Chemainus and Crofton face the sea on the east coast; Cobble Hill, Cowichan Bay and Shawnigan Lake fill the rolling south end; Lake Cowichan, Youbou and Honeymoon Bay ring the lake. Each is small enough to know your neighbours and close enough to reach the others in twenty minutes.

Getting here & getting around

The Trans-Canada Highway runs the valley's length — Victoria is about an hour over the Malahat, Nanaimo half an hour north. The Cowichan Valley Trail, part of the Trans Canada Trail, links much of the region for cyclists and walkers.

Living here

The valley attracts people who want land, gardens and community halls without giving up access to two cities. Its farmers markets run year-round — Duncan's Saturday market is among BC's largest — and its wine, cider and culinary scene keeps growing. Below are the valley's verified local businesses, from the trades that build its homesteads to the tasting rooms that made its name.