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Shawnigan
Lake
Shawnigan Lake is located approximately 45 km (28 miles) north of
Victoria and 60 km (37 miles) south of Nanaimo
off the Trans-Canada Hwy 1.
"Cottage
Country"
Known for being a waterfront resort community in south Vancouver
Island, Shawnigan Lake has provided a place where people, especially
from Victoria, have enjoyed cottages for get-away weekends for over
100 years.
Getting
to Shawnigan Lake
There are three main routes for you to take when travelling north
from Victoria on Hwy 1 in order to get to the Village of Shawnigan
Lake. They are South End Shawnigan Lake Road just south of the Malahat
Summit, Shawnigan Lake-Mill Bay Road and the Shawnigan-Cobble Hill
Road. Shawnigan Lake is approximately 5 km (3 miles) west of Mill
Bay and Hwy 1.
Village
of Shawnigan Lake
Once you're at the Village of Shawnigan Lake you can find the Black
Swan Pub, various Bed & Breakfasts, Steeples Restaurant and
Mason's Store.
Arts
Community
The Village boasts quite an art community with art displays and
craft shows taking place regularly. There are also various musical
and theatrical events that happen throughout the year, showcasing
lots of local talent at the Shawnigan Lake Community Centre.
Mason's
Beach Park
Right across the street from Mason's Store is the community beach
called Mason's Beach Park. If you don't have a boat but would like
to go for a swim, this is a great spot for the kids. Mason's Beach
Park features a pebble beach, a grassy area and a log boom that
forms a protective zone from the boats. The water is nice and clear
and during the summer warms up nicely.
William
Rivers Community Park
If you're walking around the Village of Shawnigan Lake, there is
a nice park called William Rivers Community Park. Situated next
to an E&N Railway bridge, the park features a great place for
a picnic, grassy field and an excellent spot for kids to watch some
birds.
Waterskiing
on Shawnigan Lake
Waterskiing has always been very popular on Shawnigan Lake throughout
the years. If you enjoy waterskiing, come try the calm waters that
Shawnigan Lake has to offer. One ski club called Victoria Aqua Ski
Club uses Shawnigan Lake for competitions so expect to see lots
of good skiers on the lake.
West
Shawnigan Lake Rd.
There is a road that goes around the west side of Shawnigan Lake
called the West Shawnigan Lake Rd. You can find West Shawnigan Lake
Rd. by traveling north of the community along Shawnigan Lake Road,
then west on Renfrew Road or you can also go south on East Shawnigan
Lake Road to where it meets West Shawnigan Lake Road.
West
Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park
Once on West Shawnigan Lake Road you can find numerous lakefront
cottages, a general store and West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park.
At West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park there is a great spot for
picnics, grass field and a small beach area.
Memory
Island Provincial Park
Shawnigan Lake also features a small island that is home to Memory
Island Provincial Park. This day-use only park features nature viewing
of small plants and animals plus a small picnic area near the beach.
The easiest way for you to reach here is to put your boat, canoe
or kayak in at West Shawnigan Lake Park.
Trans-Canada
Trail
The Trans-Canada Trail is located on the west side of the lake.
Watch for the signs to access routes onto the trail along West Shawnigan
Lake Road. Once on the trail you can either ride south towards the
starting point on Sooke Lake Road or north towards the Kinsol Trestle.
Kinsol
Trestle
At one time the largest wooden railway trestle in the British Commonwealth,
the Kinsol Trestle was the property of Canadian National Railway.
Built in 1921 this engineering feat made out of wooden timbers spans
the Koksilah River Canyon and is 187.6 metres (615 feet) long and
38.1 metres (125 feet) high. Used to service the forestry industry
and the famed King Solomon's Mines, the bridge eventually succumbed
to years of wear.
Getting
to Kinsol Trestle
You can get to Kinsol Trestle by traveling from the Village of Shawnigan
Lake north to Renfrew Road. Take Renfrew Road until Glen Eagles
Road, turn right towards the north until Shelby Road then right
again and look left for a small parking area. Look for the railbed
which is the Trans-Canada Trail. Once at the trail there is a quite
a walk to the trestle.
Detour
Route
Unfortunately the Kinsol trestle is closed due to poor shape therefore
you'll have to take a detour route through Koksilah Provincial Park
to get to the other side of the trestle.
Single Track
In future there are plans underway to rebuild the Kinsol Trestle
to make it safe for passage on the Trans-Canada Trail. Just a warning
- if you're cycling and doing the detour going north around the
Kinsol Trestle just past Burnt Bridge in Koksilah River Provincial
Park, the trail becomes single track and goes through logged out
areas.
Koksilah
River Provincial Park
Make sure you take the time and visit Koksilah River Provincial
Park. Just 7 km (4.4 miles) from Shawnigan Lake along Renfrew Road,
the Koksilah River Provincial Park features good hiking, mountain
biking, fishing and a nice little swimming hole. There are numerous
trails throughout the forest offering some great wildlife viewing
opportunities.
Outdoor
Recreation
The whole Shawnigan Lake area has great outdoor recreation from
fishing, canoeing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing whitewater
kayaking, horseback riding, 4x4 adventures and motorcycling especially
around the backroads off Renfrew Road. There are also some hiking
and walking trails available with a favourite trip up Mount Baldy
one of the local mountains.
Cobble
Hill
There are lots of exploring around Shawnigan Lake. Another community
in the Cowichan Valley Regional District called Cobble
Hill is located close by. Cobble Hill features various vineyards
and wine tours available during various months throughout the year.
Quarry
Regional Wilderness Park
Cobble Hill also has a great walk up the Cobble Mountain Trail which
is located in Quarry Regional Wilderness Park. Once up at the top,
you will have a great panoramic view of the valley below.
Information
on Shawnigan Lake
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