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North
Cowichan
The Municipality of North Cowichan is located 50 km (31 miles) south
of Nanaimo and 54 km (33.5 miles) north
of Victoria on the
Vancouver Island portion of the Trans-Canada Hwy 1.
Large
District
North Cowichan is quite a large district made up of the communities
of Chemainus, Crofton,
Genoa Bay, Maple Bay and Westholme plus the land surrounding the
town of Duncan referred to as the 'South
End.'
Very
Picturesque
North Cowichan is very picturesque with the countryside quite varied,
ranging from beautiful ocean views, and rural farmland to small
mountains surrounding the municipality.
Recreational
Activities
With the Cowichan and Chemainus Valleys running through North Cowichan,
the various recreational activities that are available are never
ending. Hiking, sailing, boating, fishing, scuba diving, hang gliding
and mountain biking - they are all excellent.
Nicest
Gardens in British Columbia
North Cowichan enjoys a very nice pleasant temperate climate. The
winters are short, fairly mild with some rain but not too overly
wet. The summer time is quite hot, dry and sunny. The Cowichan Valley
is often referred to as the 'Valley of the Sun.' If you enjoy gardening
North Cowichan is able to boast some of the nicest gardens in British
Columbia.
Chemainus
- 'The Little Town that Did'
The community of Chemainus lies within
the boundaries of North Cowichan and has the district's greatest
tourist attractions in the Chemainus Murals. The 36 murals (2006)
were the brainchild of local resident, Karl Schutz, to attract people
to Chemainus to stimulate the economy after a series of mill closures
in the area.
Askew
Creek Wilderness Park
For people who love trees and wild plants visit Askew Creek Wilderness
Park in Chemanius. The wilderness park is located between Chemainus
Road and Oak Street. Askew Creek has trees over 500 years old, with
easy walking paths traversing throughout. The views of nature and
the wilderness ecosystem that you will see are awe-inspiring.
Crofton
Crofton is located just south of Chemanius
and north-east of Duncan. Situated here
is home to one of the largest employers in the area with the Catalyst
Crofton Pulp Mill. There is a BC Ferries terminal located in Crofton
with a ferry crossing via Stuart Channel to Vesuvius, Saltspring
Island. There is an excellent waterfront RV Park at Crofton
as well as a small museum located at the Visitor Info Centre.
Maple
Bay
Located directly east of Duncan is Maple Bay, your escape route
to the ocean. Maple Bay is situated near the east side of Mount
Tzouhalem with Sansum Narrows in the east with a view of Maxwell
Point on Saltspring Island.
Birds
Eye Cove
Maple Bay is centrally located for cruising around southern BC.
Birds Eye Cove is situated at the southern end of Maple Bay where
you can find docks, fuel, a small shipyard plus a general store.
Maple
Bay Marina
There is the Maple Bay Marina if you require boat services including
moorage for the evening or extended stay. This place makes a good
spot to rest and take shelter especially if the weather changes.
The marina is also home to a few float homes, marine artifacts and
the Maple Bay Marina Pub.
Genoa
Bay
Located 9 km (6 miles) farther south of Maple Bay on a no-through
very scenic ocean view road is the very small community of Genoa
Bay. Most of the residence here are made up of around two dozen
or so houses mostly waterfront along the southern end Sansum Narrows
near Cowichan Bay. There is also the Genoa Bay Marina, very handy
if you require marine services including moorage, general store
or a really cool waterfront café.
Westholme
This small community is located alongside the Trans-Canada Island
Hwy 1 between Duncan and Chemanius.
Westholme is mostly made up of beautiful farmlands offering mountain
landscapes and views. Westholme is situated near the Chemanius River
if you wish to fish or swim.
Chemainus
River Provincial Park
For people who enjoy fishing or swimming holes there are some places
located in Chemainus River Provincial Park. Travel 6 km (4 miles)
on Hwy 18 west of Hwy 1 to Hillcrest Payne forestry road. Access
to the Chemainus River Provincial Park is off Hillcrest Payne. The
trails along the river are unmarked so please practice good hiking
habits.
Mount
Prevost
As you travel through North Cowichan you can't help noticing the
mountain on the west side just north of Duncan. This is Mount
Prevost famous for thermal winds rising off the landscape creating
perfect conditions for paragliding or hang gliding.
Paragliding
If you enjoy this sport, come and have a look at Mount
Prevost - you won't be disappointed. To get here, go down Somenos
Road, north of Duncan to Mt. Prevost Road.
Mount
Tzouhalem
There is one other mountain that stands as you view the countryside,
Mount
Tzouhalem. Located in the south-west Mount
Tzouhalem offers mountain biking and hiking trails with some
excellent panoramic vistas of the landscape. For access go along
Maple Road and Genoa Bay Roads.
Finest
Wineries and Vineyards
Throughout the Chemanius and Cowichan Valleys are some of British
Columbia's finest wineries. The word 'Cowichan' in the local First
Nation's language means "the land warmed by the sun" with
the quality of grapes being the proof. Take your time and visit
some of the wineries or try some wine when you're at a local restaurant
when visiting North Cowichan.
Information
on North Cowichan
Chemanius
Bed & Breakfasts
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