Cowichan Valley Accommodations

The Coast Salish word, Cowichan means Land Warmed by the Sun, an apt title for this dairyland and wine country that enjoys a Mediterranean-like micro-climate and more sun than anywhere else in Canada.

Only an hour's drive north of Victoria, this Valley includes several distinct regions: Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill, Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Maple Bay, Chemainus and Cowichan Lake. And each, despite its vicinity to the other, is as different as the next. Just 3 miles west of Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake is a popular summer cottage community and home to a thriving arts and crafts community. Day trippers from the southern island enjoy the area for everything from sunbathing to fishing. It's worth the short paddle out to the peaceful little picnic destination that is Memory Island Provincial Park, but more active adventurers can enjoy the trail system of Koksilah or West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Parks. For something truly unique, hike out to the abandoned Kinsol Trestle in the Koksilah River Valley - one of the highest wooden trestle bridges in the world!