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  1. Maple Mountain - Maple Mountain is located 5 km north east of Duncan. The trail is 5 km one way, elevation gain is 310m. Suitable for day hikes all year. North of Duncan turn east onto Herd Rd then left onto Osborne Bay Rd (to Crofton). Follow this to park entrance. Trail begins in the trees to the north of the parking area. Further North on Osborne Bay Rd there is access via Chilco Rd to two trails within proximity of Sansum Narrows & Saltspring Island and leading into Maple Bay. At the cross roads, the trail on the left follows closer to the ocean.
  2. Mount Prevost - Mount Prevost is a mountainous landmark towering over the city of Duncan easily identified by the two humps sitting on its peak. Travelling north on Hwy #1 through the city of Duncan, turn west onto Hwy #18 and continue traveling for 1.4 kilometres until you reach Somenos Rd. Turn North, drive 2 km to Mt. Prevost Rd. The Mt. Prevost Main Rd is sometimes closed to vehicular traffic due to active logging or fire hazard. When open, there are two parking areas near the peak - one on the east side is relatively close to the monument while the one towards the south is used by the hang-gliders to access their jumping-off point. Some of the activities enjoyed on Mt. Prevost include mountain biking, hiking, hang gliding and sightseeing.
  3. Mt Tzouhalem - Suitable all year hike. From Hwy #1 Duncan turn east onto Trunk Rd. At the traffic circle follow signage to Maple Bay Rd. Follow Maple Bay Rd 3 kilometres, turn right onto Kingsview Rd and follow it up to Chippewa Rd (note Tzouhalem parking sign) to the Mt Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve. Turn right onto Chippewa and follow it to Kaspa Rd. Turn left onto Kaspa and follow it past yellow gate to the parking area. This is where the trail starts. To access the wildflower area and kiosk follow the trail leading off the west side of the parking area. The trail begins to climb gently to kiosk. Dogs are permitted on leash. Please do not disturb the plants. A short hike concluding with a steeper trail section will bring you to a wonderful view of the Cowichan Valley.
  4. Kinsol Trestle - The Kinsol Trestle is one of the tallest free standing timber rail trestle structures in the world. Offering breathtaking views of the Koksilah river and access to hiking trails. The re-constructed trestle opened July 2011 linking the Cowichan Valley Portion of the Trans Canada Trail. Amenities include ample parking on both sides as well as picnic tables, benches and toilets. Accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
    Directions to North End of Kinsol Trestle: From Hwy #1 south of Duncan turn west onto Koksilah Rd. After crossing the single lane Koksilah River Bridge, take a left on Riverside Rd. Follow this road (paved/gravel) for 8.5 km. Parking available. It is a five-minute walk to the north end of the Trestle.
    Directions to South End of Kinsol Trestle: From Hwy #1, take one of the roads to the Village of Shawnigan Lake. Once there, follow Renfrew Rd westbound. Turn right onto Glen Eagles Rd, then right onto Shelby Rd. Parking area on the left. Follow the level, well-marked trail about 1.5km to the Kinsol Trestle.
  5. Cowichan River Footpath - This trail stretching from Glenora Trailhead Park west to Skutz Falls is 20 km one way. Backpack or Day Hike suitable all year.
    Access: Glenora Trailhead Park, From Hwy #1 (Duncan), turn west onto Trunk R. Left onto Allenby Rd, over the bridge and right onto Indian Rd. Right onto Glenora Rd. Right onto Vaux Rd (turns into Robertson Rd) for approx 6km. The staging area is located on the left near Cowichan River Provincial Park.
    Skutz Falls trailhead: North of Duncan travel west on Hwy #18 18.7 km until you come to the turnoff to Skutz Falls. Turn left, follow the gravel road about 3 km to the falls. Access the trail on the far side of the river across the truck bridge. The best loop hikes are from this trailhead. This requires transportation at both ends if doing full trail. There are also a variety of walks that can be taken from each trailhead.
  6. The Cowichan Valley Trail - This portion of the Trans Canada Trail travels north from south Shawnigan Lake, over the Kinsol Trestle and west to Lake Cowichan then continues back to Duncan and Northbound along the Hwy #18. It is 122 km long and connects to the Trans Canada trail. Other access points:
    a) From the city of Duncan head north on Canada Ave travel west on Sherman Rd to Lane Rd where there is a trailhead. The trail continues towards Lake Cowichan. There are other access points west along Sherman Rd.
    b) Lake Cowichan Staging Area: From Hwy #1, turn west onto Hwy #18, follow into Town of Lake Cowichan (Hwy becomes South Shore Rd), left on King George, right on Wellington, Look for trail info on right & trailhead kiosk on left.
    c) Sooke Lake Rd Staging Area: From Hwy #1, turn onto S. Shawnigan Lake Rd, left onto Sooke Lake Rd. The Staging Area is located on the right, approximately two minutes down the road by car.
    d) Glenora Trailhead Park: From Hwy #1, turn west onto Trunk R, left onto Allenby Rd (becomes Indian Rd, right onto Glenora Rd, right onto Vaux Rd (becomes Robertson Rd).
  7. Somenos Dike Trail - Accessible from various locations. Access the north end of the trail at the Somenos Marsh Outdoor Classroom (off Hwy #1 north of Beverly St). The trail heads south then east following Beverly St turns south at Lakes Rd connecting with Al Wilson Grove Rotary Park (accessed off McKinstry Rd). Parking available at both trail ends.
  8. Chemainus Lake Trailhead: - From Hwy #1 (Chemainus) turn West onto River Rd, follow the road about 2 minutes, the parking lot will be on your right. Access restrictions: Dawn to dusk. This lovely, 3km loop is a pleasant stop off when driving up or down island. The trail circumnavigates Chemainus Lake with views across the lake to Mt Brenton.
  9. Cobble Hill Mountain - Cobble Hill Mountain Regional Recreation Area is a popular destination for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The recreation area is made up of old logging roads, as well as signed trails. The entry point to Cobble Hill Mountain is through Quarry Nature Park. Amenities include picnic area, washrooms & parking.
    Access: West off Hwy #1 onto Shawnigan Lake-Cobble Hill Rd, turn onto Empress Ave into Quarry Nature Park.
  10. Mesachie Mountain - Follow signs from Town of Lake Cowichan to Mesachie Lake Village, about 6 km (4 miles). Turn right onto Forestry Rd. Go through village, turn right and park on the flat. Continue along Forestry Rd, cross bridge. The trail to Mesachie Mountain is to the right, past the barrier and following the wire fence; then NE through second-growth timber. Follow this until you come to a T junction, turn right onto the mountain trail. The upper part is one mossy hill. It is about one hour?s stroll from the barrier to the top, the view is excellent.
  11. Holland Creek Trail - The forested loop of Holland Creek Trail runs for 6.4km/4mi from the craggy heights above Ladysmith on a south easterly course to an estuary at the ocean's edge. Park at access points and tackle all or part of the Holland Creek Trail. For a pleasant hour-long walk park at Methuen St and 6th Ave, hike the ?upper loop? trail that takes in a waterfall, a pair of colliery dams (built in the early 1900s for the coal mining industry) and the Rotary Look-Out Trail (which leads to a scenic view picnic area). The parking lot on Mackie Rd off Malone Rd also offers easy access to the trail for those wanting a short walk to the scenic waterfall.
    Heart Lake Hike along Holland Creek behind Ladysmith then up a very steep but short section to Heart Lake. The trail is 6.4 km from the head of the Holland Creek Trail bridge. Those wanting a longer hike can continue on to Stocking Lake for a 9.3 km hike. The trail includes three levels: difficult, moderate and mild Access: From Hwy 1 (Ladysmith), travel west up Roberts St., turn left onto 6th Ave.-parking will be on the right.