There are over 180 kilometres of trails to discover in the Cowichan Valley of varying degrees of difficulty. One of the best things about biking here is that it is approachable for an absolute beginner and exhilarating enough for a long-time experienced cyclist. Some biking trails steeply ascend to mountaintops with breathtaking panoramic views, while others are the perfect way to glide through our pastoral scenery from farm stand to farm with the whole family. The Cowichan Valley is a world-class destination for mountain bikers, and we have many well-loved gravel and more widely accessible biking trails. Biking is a great way to see our different communities, while getting to appreciate the slower pace of rural life, the changing views of our vast landscape, and spontaneous wildlife spotting opportunities.
Then there’s the fact that several exhilarating bike races pass through the Cowichan Valley each year, accompanied by an atmosphere that also entices spectators (the promise of a locally-brewed beer or farm-to-table meal afterward doesn’t go amiss either).
The Burnt Bridge Classic Gravel Fondo
In May, the Cowichan Valley is one of just four stops that make up the 2025 Trek BC Gravel Series hosted by Mosaic Forest Management. The Cowichan Valley event, the second in the series, is known as the Burnt Bridge Classic Gravel Fondo. There are three distances bikers can sign up for: the 38.8km Impulso, the 78.5km Intermedio, and the 122.5km Esperto. All three routes begin just outside of Duncan and traverse our thriving coastal forest, taking riders past clear rushing rivers and picturesque viewpoints.
When you’re not speeding along on two wheels, Duncan’s 40-plus carved totems provide the perfect way to warm up or warm down on a self-guided Totems Tour. The city also has a diverse restaurant scene, the Duncan Farmer’s Market, and two breweries, so there’s no doubt you’ll find the ideal way to refuel while also experiencing a true taste of the Cowichan Valley’s ingredients. Make a full weekend of the event and utilize the bike-friendly Cowichan Valley Trail to see more of the region, taking in wineries, beaches, lakes, and trestles.
The Cowichan Crusher Gravel Fondo
In June, another gravel race comes to the Cowichan Valley, this time in and around the river valleys and gravel roads of Lake Cowichan. The Cowichan Crusher Gravel Fondo is a standalone event and Vancouver Island’s oldest gravel fondo. Three distances exist that make the event inclusive for all levels of riders. No one is left out, with beginners to intermediate-level cyclists invited to the 25km Piccolo (or Beginner Fondo) and the 55km Medio Fondo, while intermediate to expert cyclists can try the 98km Full Fondo. For the latter, a new 160km event called the Full Fondo Plus is being introduced in 2025.
After the event, why not take the plunge into Cowichan Lake to cool off? There are several parks and beaches around its shoreline to spend a sunny afternoon at. If you’re looking for a unique adventure, join The Tube Shack for a 2.5-hour float down the Cowichan River to experience our beautiful river ecosystem from a different perspective.
BC Bike Race
For the mountain biker, there are few events more anticipated than the BC Bike Race. A seven-day mountain biking extravaganza that visits four different communities on Vancouver Island for some of the best of BC’s singletrack. The whole event kicks off in the Cowichan Valley over three days, starting on June 30, with a stage at Mount Tzouhalem and a stage at Maple Mountain. The stages increase in elevation day over day. On them, you’ll get to see epic vistas, old-growth forest, river valleys, sea-to-sky views, and plenty more of the breathtaking landscapes that make up our communities.
The BC Bike Race will have its 20th anniversary in 2026, so if you can’t make it this year, you’ll want to start planning for next year.
Bike tours and coaching in Cowichan
Beyond the bike races, the Cowichan Valley has plenty of terrain to keep all levels of riders occupied on a biking-centric vacation. Our local bike businesses, like Cowichan Cycles and Cycle Therapy Bicycles, are always keen to advise on trail conditions and the best locations for your skill level, along with providing rentals. If you’re eager to improve your mountain biking prowess, the Cycling Co. and Ride MTB offer coaching and development. You can also book bike tours focused on everything from mountain biking trails to the wineries and culinary destinations that the Cowichan Valley is known for. All you have to do is show up and enjoy the ride.
The extensive trails found throughout the Cowichan Valley could not exist without some passionate, dedicated locals who come together under various trail-building and maintenance organizations. You can find them at the Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society, Ride Cowichan by Cowichan Cycles, and the Cowichan Lake Trail Blazers Society.
