EXPLORE: DRIVING TOURS

Circle tours are a popular way to travel the island. The Pacific Marine Circle Tour, for example, is an excellent way to explore the historic west coast of Vancouver Island. This spectacular wilderness route follows the coast line from Victoria through Sooke to Port Renfrew continuing into Lake Cowican on to Duncan and to the Trans Canada Highway to Victoria. The route is 255 km.

View logging history on the 75 km road trip around
Cowichan Lake, where you ’ll see some of the most awe inspiring and productive forestland in Canada. The circle route is on half paved road and half active logging roads with marvellous scenic viewpoints. The route connects the communities of Lake Cowichan, Mesachie Lake, Honeymoon Bay and Youbou. Secondary roads will take you from Lake Cowichan to Port Renfrew and Bamfield, and trail heads for the 75-kilometre West Coast Trail. Heading south from the lake, you can drive to the old-growth forest of Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park and saltwater Nitinat Lake. Remember that many of these
gravel roads are active logging roads, please exercise caution and courtesy.

Safe Travel in the Working Forest
Travelling on forest roads is very different from travelling on public highways and roadways. As they are operating seven days a week, you must always be on the alert to expect the unexpected. For your own safety, drive with extreme caution at all times, especially when passing through active logging areas.

• Check your vehicle, fuel and supplies before starting outAlways wear your seatbelt
• Only travel on roads you are sure your vehicle is equipped to handle
• Expect to encounter logging equipment at any time – 24/7
• Drive with your headlights on to make yourself more visible – particularly under dusty conditions
• Obey posted speed limits and all other posted signage – do not enter areas where falling and blasting signs are posted
• Yield to the right of any logging trucks or industrial equipment
• Do not pass a logging truck or other logging vehicle until signalled by the driver
• Take special care approaching and on single-lane bridges
• Do not leave your vehicle unattended on roadways – park well off the travelled portion of the road if you must stop along the way
• Watch for fallen rock, downed trees, blind corners and animals on the road. Stay with your vehicle if you encounter dangerous wildlife, particularly those with young.
  
  
  Related Activities Parks
  Related Activities Hiking

Guided - Chemainus Tours Offering a variety of sightseeing, eco and educationals tours of the Cowichan, including winery, antiques, dinner theatre and golf packages. Also 30 minute guided tours of the Chemainus Murals Visit Website

Self Guided - Around the Lake The route around Lake Cowichan could take anywhere from a few hours to an entire day depending on how often and long you stop to admire the scenery. The road is unpaved once you leave the towns but passable by any vehicle. Travel to the village of Youbou (pronounced yew-bow)on the north side of the Lake, a small lakefront village whose lifeblood for many years was its mill which recently closed. Continue around the lake on the gravel road. Heather Campsite at the far west end is an excellent place to stay a night or have a picnic. (Nitinat Main, which goes to Nitinat Lake and Carmanah-Walbran Provincial Park, turns off North Shore Road close to Heather Campsite.) Carry on around the lake and be sure to stop in the quaint villages of Honeymoon Bay and Mesachie Lake then on into the friendly Town of Lake Cowichan and the many accomodations and attractions it has to offer. Cowichan Lake District

Self Guided - Sounds of History If you have visitors this summer and they want to enjoy a walk around the murals in town, our new member Cindy Lee Robinson has opened her doors for her innovative tour business called Sounds of History. She has developed a fascinating recording of a tour of the Chemainus Murals. This digital piece of art is professionally narrated with well researched stories about the murals and the heritage and culture of the times, complete with sound effects. The self guided, self paced tour is contained in a tiny MP3 player which would be worn around the neck. These audio files are available for rent by the half day. The store hours are from 10am until 4pm 7 days a week and are located at 9806 Willow Street - between Curves and the Adult Learning Centre. For more details call 246-2093.

   

TO DO IN JULY

> Khowutzun Pow Wow

> Cowichan Bay Artwalk

> Duncan Summer Festival

> Farmer's Market

> Market in the Square

> Go To Events Calendar

 

	PHOTO GALLERY

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