The holidays are fast approaching, and for many people, that means it’s time to book a quick and quiet getaway before the hustle and bustle of the winter season arrives. Fall is the ideal time to retreat to Cowichan and soak in the crisp air, wild nature, and full flavours.
Retreat to the Wilderness
Settled along the bank of the pristine Cowichan River, the Cowichan River Lodge offers a perfect mini-getaway to travellers looking for some peace and quiet. The rustic log-cabin-style lodge provides cozy accommodation for visitors to curl up next to the fire or dry off after a day of fishing on the river.
The Cowichan River flows 47-kilometres from Lake Cowichan to Cowichan Bay. It is designated as a national and provincial heritage river — meaning it has outstanding natural, cultural and recreational values. While staying at the Lodge, book a fly-fishing adventure along the Cowichan River from October to May. This catch and release excursion allows you to float a section of this pristine waterway while preserving and protecting the heritage river.
Share a Pint
As the seasons change, so do the beer lineups. The breweries in Cowichan offer a delicious array of seasonal beers that will warm you up during the long winter nights. Riot Brewing in Chemainus is offering the Saison of the Witch, an elderberry Saison with a spicy and peppery aroma and taste. This relatively pale ale is loaded with elderberry, bringing bitter fruitiness, complex tannins, and naturally occurring citric acid.
Step into Nature
Maple Mountain in the fall is an ideal place for hikers and mountain bikers to experience some world-class trail conditions. After a strikingly hot summer, the trails are soaking in the autumn rains giving the paths a harder pack and stickier terrain.
Hikers can enjoy the yellow trail the follows the shoreline between Maple Bay and Crofton. Or those looking for a grind can find it up the orange trail that leads to exposed ridges of the mountain and offers stunning views across Saltspring Island, Maple Bay and Quamichan Lake.
From the parking lot on Osborne Bay Road, bikers can cruise up the Xylem climb trail to challenge themselves on Maple Syrup. Riders that don’t want to take on the technical descent of Maple Syrup can hop off Xylem in the middle and ride the Phloem flow trail back to the parking lot for a quicker loop. For more fall getaway inspiration visit www.tourismcowichan.com
