Cowichan Valley Loop

The Cowichan Valley route is a 118 mile figure-eight bikepacking route that starts and ends in downtown Victoria, British Columbia. This scenic route follows several regional trails including the Galloping Goose Trail, the Sooke Wilderness Trail, and The Great Trail. While there are some significant climbs and descents the surface is overall smooth, including railroad conversion gravel trails, some well-maintained double track logging roads, and paved cycling paths.

This is a great route for an extended weekend.  Getting to and from Victoria on bikes can be done either by taking the Victoria Clipper from Pier 69 on the Seattle Waterfront or taking the taking the Coho ferry from Port Angeles. The Victoria Clipper requires advanced reservations and is significantly more expensive. And add-on bike reservation is also required. For more information and reservations go to:  https://booking.clippervacations.com/ClipperWeb/transportation

The Coho Ferry from Port Angeles does not require advanced reservation for passengers on bikes and is much less expensive. For more information go to: https://www.cohoferry.com/schedule-fares

An additional ferry is required to cross the Sanich Inlet from Bamberton to Brentwood Bay. This ferry is low cost, does not require reservations, and runs year-round approximately every hour. For more information go to: https://www.bcferries.com/routes-fares/schedules/daily/BTW-MIL?redir=301

Established campgrounds exist along the route at several Provincial Parks including Goldstream Provincial Park, Lake Cowichan Stoltz Pool Provincial Park, and Bamberton Provincial Park. Reservations are required and should be made several months in advance as no hike-a-bike sites exist at these provincial parks. All amenities of established campgrounds are present at these provincial parks including, water, picnic tables, firepits, and bathrooms with showers.

Many re-supply options exist along the route but main meals should be pre-planned and packed as no restaurants are located near the campgrounds.

Sample itinerary

Day 1:  Take early morning Victoria Clipper from Seattle (7:30 AM) arrival 10:45 AM. It takes about an hour to go through customs, then bikes need to be loaded, so depart Victoria on bikes around 12:30 PM. Ride to Goldstream Provincial Park. 16 miles and 2-3 hours of riding.

Day 2: Goldstream Provincial Park to Lake Cowichan Stoltz Pool Provincial Park. Approximately 40 miles and 5-6 hours of riding.

Day 3: Lake Cowichan Stoltz Pool Campground to Bamberton Provincial Park. Approximately 30 miles and 3-4 hours of riding.

 Day 4: Ride a couple of miles to  Mill Bay Ferry  and cross to Brentwood Bay (25 min crossing), then ride remaining 14 miles to Victoria and take the Clipper back to Seattle.

For more information on the route and photos go to: https://bikepacking.com/routes/cowichan-valley-8/

Link to Track on Ride with GPS with point of interests (POI): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31733689

• Suitable Activities: Bikepacking
• Seasons: May, June, July, August, September
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Bikepacking Gravel II
• Length: 118.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 5,866 ft
• High Point: 1,471 ft

• Land Manager: Land Manager Varies
• Parking Permit Required: see Land Manager
• Recommended Party Size: 8
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12