Kinsol Trestle – Cowichan Valley Trail loop from Sooke Lake Road Community Forest

Bike touring routes & trails

Canada

British Columbia

Area B (Shawnigan Lake)

Kinsol Trestle – Cowichan Valley Trail loop from Sooke Lake Road Community Forest

Moderate

4.5

(6)

riders

Kinsol Trestle – Cowichan Valley Trail loop from Sooke Lake Road Community Forest

04:16

54.5km

440m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

Last updated: August 19, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park

Waypoints

Start point

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7.64 km

Picnic Area at West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park

Highlight • Rest Area

Really good views over the lake and plenty of tables to have lunch at or a snack

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13.7 km

Kinsol Trestle

Highlight • Bridge

The Kinsol Trestle is an old wooden railway bridge. With a length of 187 metres and a height of 44 metres, it is one of the largest and most spectacular bridges of its type.

It was built between 1911 and 1920 to transport timber. After the railway connection was closed in 1979, the bridge was no longer maintained, which is why its condition continued to deteriorate. After extensive renovation, it was reopened to pedestrians and cyclists in 2011. The Trans Canada Trail runs over the bridge.

Translated by Google •

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27.5 km

Holt Creek Trestle Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

We cycled the Cowichan valley trail from Duncan to Cowichan Lake with our loaded touring bikes. The road is very well maintained and just astonishing! There are a few amazing bridges. It is an old train track so there are no sharp turns and only goes 2% uphill. Strongly recommend! This trail is apparently more picturesque than the one north of the river.

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27.5 km

Holt Creek Trestle

Highlight • Bridge

The Holt Creek Trestle is northwest of the Kinsol Trestle near Glenora Trails Head Park. Built in 1922 as a railway bridge and was transferred to provincial ownership by CN Rail in 1991.

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28.1 km

Glenora Trails Head Community Park

Highlight • Rest Area

Incredibly important place if you want to drive the Cowichan Valley Trail a little longer: Here there is fresh drinking water! This is not to be underestimated, except for small rivulets or brooks you would find little else along the way, other "toilets" have no drinking water. Also otherwise a very nice facility right on the trail.

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36.8 km

Cowichan Valley Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This section of the Cowichan Valley Trail runs between Waters Road and Mountain Park, following the former railway corridor through the Cowichan Valley. It’s a beautiful, mostly flat route that passes through forest and rural surroundings, with plenty of access to several parks and waterways along the way.

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