Best Western Hotels on Vancouver Island

Best Western Hotels on Vancouver Island

Duncan / Cowichan Valley

Fast Facts

  • Population - nearly 5,000 (city), over 71,000 (city & surrounding areas)
  • Distance from Victoria - a little less than an hour drive
  • Best way to get there - Trans Canada Highway
  • Other ways to get there - ferry to mainland, air
  • Most distinctive feature - the world's largest hockey stick, 81 totems in the area
  • Climate - the warmest in Canada, with moderate temperatures and sunny skies

Tours & Attractions

  • Enjoy a tour and wine-tasting at one of Duncan’s wineries - the ‘Vineyards and Cideries of the Cowichan Valley’ tour is one possibility
  • Visit the Quw’utsun’ Cultural and Conference Centre on the banks of the Cowichan River – watch the totem carving and visit the gallery to purchase authentic gifts
  • Pick up a walking tour map and explore Duncan on foot, there are over 40 totems to see! Just follow the yellow footprints marking the route or take a free guided tour

Things To Do

Shopping

Duncan has a good variety of shops and services available for the traveller. There are a number of bookstores, antique shops, galleries, markets, and speciality gift shops to suit every taste and style.

Recreational Activities

Whether on land or water, Duncan offers all types of recreation. Golf, hike, bike, fish, windsurf, swim, sail … the list goes on. Rental and retail outlets can provide you with the gear for any pursuit you have in mind … or bring your own!

Duncan and area have a number of beautiful golf courses to play all year round, so don’t forget your clubs. If you’d rather hike, check out Mount Prevost on Highway 18 just north of Duncan, or Shawnigan Lake where you can climb to the top of Old Baldy, then wander on to see the last spike of the Canadian railroad.

Of course, the most famous hike in the area is the Westcoast Trail. Open May 1 through September 1, this 77 kilometre trail can take up to a week to hike and requires reservations. You can call the Super Natural British Columbia travel information line at 1-800-HELLO-BC or 1-800-435-5622 and reserve your hike up to 3 months in advance of your adventure.

Why not tour the valley on a bike? Bring your own or rent one, the gently rolling back roads await! Try fly-fishing on the Cowichan and Koksilah Rivers, especially if you are visiting in October and November. If you prefer to remain atop the water, Cowichan Bay offers rowboat, powerboat, canoe, kayak, and ski rentals. Nitinat Lake, a short drive west of Duncan, is a renowned windsurfer’s destination with consistent thermal winds blowing in from the ocean.

Events & Festivals

Duncan is a busy place, with events running all year. The best way to find out what will be going on when you visit is to check with the Visitor Centre or City website at http://www.city.duncan.bc.ca.

Marie Canyon Trestle, just north of  Duncan, BC

More Attractions

  • Make your way 17 kilometres north to Chemainus – the ‘mural capital of Canada’ with 32 murals depicting the history of the town displayed on the buildingsChemainus, Vancouver Island, BC
  • The Crofton Pulp and Paper Mill offers the chance to see how a real mill operates and paper made at 75 kilometres per hour
  • Behold the views at the Malahat Summit, between Victoria and Duncan, where you can see the Saanich Peninsula, Gulf Islands, Mount Baker, and Saanich Inlet
  • The B.C. Forest Discovery Centre is 4 kilometres north of Duncan and has acres of displays and an authentic steam train
  • Need to eat? - You’ll find everything here, from fast food chains to fine dining on the waterfront experience
  • The Cowichan Valley Museum on Canada Street in Duncan will delight with its turn of the century general store and pioneer possessions

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Contact Info

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