The drive from Victoria into Cowichan is a descent from the forests and mountains of the Malahat into rolling farmland.
Cowichan takes its name from “Quw’utsun,” the name given to the valley by its original inhabitants, the Quw’utsun people. It is rooted in the Hul’q’umi’num word “shquw’utsun” which directly translated means “to warm one’s back in the sun”. Cowichan is one of the Island’s premier agricultural areas with more than 17,000 hectares of rich farmland.
The Cowichan River flows 47 kilometres from Cowichan Lake to Cowichan Bay. It’s a designated B.C. heritage river and a Canadian heritage river, which means it has been recognized for its outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational value. The river’s most famous activity is fly fishing, a sport that has been luring people with their waders and fly rods for well over a century. If you want to catch your own steelhead, salmon, or trout, tours and gear are available. And whether you fish or not, the pathways along the river are perfect for pleasant afternoon strolls.
Everything grows here. Fields of vegetables, berries, herbs, and flowers, orchards of fruit trees, bountiful vineyards and wineries, and pastures that support everything from chickens and cows to emus, alpacas, and water buffalo — it all flourishes. With all this homegrown goodness, the farm markets are wonderful and the restaurants have a decidedly local bias.
For foodies, the Cowichan Valley is a destination. For golfers, this means great dining options before and after a game. Tee up with Cowichan Area golf packages and find out what you’ve been missing.