Cowichan Valley, Southern Vancouver Island - Opening New Trails

The Cowichan Valley is a Year Round Mountain Biking Destination
West of Vancouver is Vancouver Island. Islanders enjoy being separated by Georgia Straight from the rest of the continent with the water passable only by BC Ferries. This has guaranteed that even the densest population Island centres of the South Island are not heavily populated. It also has resulted in a sense of strong community; the majority of people who live on the Island are passionate about it. The mountain bike community is no different.

We visited the Cowichan area on this trip. This area has Duncan as its hub and contains many smaller communities such as Maple Bay, Cowichan Bay, Cobble Hill, Chemainus, Ladysmith and extends all the way to the west coast to Nitinat Lake and the West Coast trail. Even ten years ago, the Cowichan had a decidedly industrial flavour and was more well known for malls and gas stations along the Island Highway. It's now not just a bedroom community for the entire South Island and Victoria area; the relatively good weather, low rainfall (rainfall stats for the Cowichan area put it among the lowest rainfall totals of BC); its also a destination in its own right - attracting locavores, wine-addicts (over 10 vinyards in the area), retirees, people who crave good weather and lots of tourists.




Cowichan Biking
Among those tourists are roadies and increasingly, mountainbikers. Trails have been built and ridden in the Cowichan area for well over 20 years. As in the majority of the province, there was no sanctioning mechanism for these trails so pioneers like Dan Berard, Trevor Prest, Robin Kenyon (and many others whose names are unknown to us) built trails for the enjoyment of all with nary a care. This has now changed with the creation of the Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society (CTSS) in early 2013 and the signing of a license of occupation with the Municipality of North Cowichan, which formally endorsed the 9km long Maple Syrup and Solar Coaster trails on Maple Mountain (resolution is here). The CTSS can now boast of having sanctioned Maple Syrup on Maple Mountain. Check out map at Everytrail.

Why bother you ask? People have been riding these trails for years without any problems. In order for the sport to grow it needs legitimate trails. Locals such as that same Robin Kenyon previously mentioned, Jane Kaiser along with persuasion from Riley Mcintosh, who, even at young age has been involved with many aspects of mountain biking, saw the potential of this area as a great place for mountain biking trails. Together they are convinced that it's time to start thinking bigger and build a legacy that will endure; something that will not just grow a local community but perhaps that will also attract visitors. Through the CTSS, the locals see that legitimate trails accessible to all levels of riders, trail maps and signage will go a long way to create a kickass destination in the Cowichan Valley.


Maple Syrup and Maple Mountain
The first trail chosen to create this legitimacy, engage the Land Managers and other users was Maple Syrup on Maple Mountain. The original top part was already wonderfully routed. However, the bottom section ran through private land necessitating the need for a reroute. The CTSS crew went in, assessed, rerouted and rebuilt the bottom section of this 9km trail using about 2000 hours of volunteer labour.

On Oct 26, 2013 a grand opening day was held on the trail. 60 hikers and 140 mountain bikers hiked and biked the trail. The CAO of the Municipality (Dave Devana) also participated along with one of the Councillors (John Koury) to show their support for the projects. All land managers should be this progressive - such a good model to inspire and for others to follow. The three local bike shops - Cycle Therapy, Experience Cycles and Cowichan Cycles - were also there with demo bikes along with other industry reps and other shops from all over Vancouver Island.



Why is the Cowichan, Duncan BC area worth a visit by bikers? It is unique in its proximity to the ocean and the mellowness of its weather; which lends itself to a long riding season. The mountains where the trails are built are round and relatively low (Maple Mountain, Tzouhalem, Prevost, Sicker, Brenton all rise a mere 500 or so meters above sea level) . The terrain has some unique rock features and dirt composition similar to the coast. BUT it sees a fraction of the rain normally falling on the west coast of the Sea to Sky area or Vancouver Island. It also sees very little snow creating a year round riding destination. Sure there is more rain in the winter, but very little snow and not as much rainfall.

To this good weather, add some pretty special bio-geo-climatic features like red-barked arbutus trees, HUGE stands of Garry Oak, sword ferns so green they defy photoshop saturation, moss so thick the beds deform under footstep, pine needle carpets and thick loam. Add a community that actually supports bike trails and hasn't made an effort to put golf courses or condo tracts through perfectly good green space; then mix in lots of amenities like good food & accommodations. Suddenly the Cowichan looks like a good place to ride bikes to people from Victoria, the Lower Mainland or from other places.

Bottom line is that the Cowichan Valley needs to be on your list of places to ride.

The Area:(click for the map)
There are three main mountains plus smaller areas in the Cowichan Valley with trails. Mt. Prevost, Mt. Tzouhalem, Mt Sicker and Maple Mountain (Mt Richards is a tiny bump) all of which have trails in various states of repair. Duncan is the biggest town in the North Cowichan, 50km south of Nanaimo on Hwy1. If you are to stay there, the coastal communities of Maple Bay or Cowichan Bay have a bit more of touristic ambiance.

Why we were here
We were here to check out Maple Syrup's Grand Opening. It looks like just the first step for the CTSS in beginning its journey to legitimize trails in the Cowichan, to galvanize local support and to create a world class mountain bike destination in the Cowichan Valley.








Maple Syrup Map

Other trails in the Cowichan
There are a whack load of trails in the area including the Cobble Hill area in the video below. Downhillers tend to look for a gravity fix on Prevost. Some of these trails are signed and shown in the Mountain Bike Vancouver Island (4th edition) guidebook.



We also had a chance to ride Big Dog aka Mad Dog on Tzouhalem. Look here for a map of Tzouhalem or check the guidebook mentioned above. The network of trails here is vast and convoluted. There are maps, but good luck figuring out a good loop without a local to tow you around. Big Dog is a pretty fantastic 525m descent on rock, moss and roots from Tzouhalem to Genoa Bay. It’s got some eye-popping scenery. Bring good brakes, some decent tight turning nose-pivot skills and commitment.









Getting Here:
From most places in North America you travel to Nanaimo from Horsehoe Bay on BC Ferries. From Victoria you drive N over the Malahat.


Staying Here:
We then drove the hour to Maple Bay to check into our B&B Funky Frog and to meet our hosts Veronica and Dave. The Funky Frog has been in business for one year, can sleep up to 15 people; two bedrooms have ensuites and a private seating area. They love mountain bikers!


Eating Here:
On our first night we had dinner at the Terrain Garden in the Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay. Fantastic views and wonderful food define this restaurant. The cool folksy localness of its location entices you to wander around and explore the wharves and water to work off food after you're done.


For more restaurants and cool Cowichan tourist attractions check out here.