Central Vancouver
Island Ale Trail
Community craft breweries abound from Cowichan's warm climate and agricultural heritage to Nanaimo’s urban, maritime vibe and the tranquil beaches of Parksville Qualicum Beach
Heading north up the Island Highway from Victoria, the spectacular vistas of the Malahat Summit give way to the rural agricultural splendour of Cowichan, a valley that has long been known as The Warm Land. And it is warm indeed: the region’s maritime Mediterranean climate boasts the warmest year-round temperature anywhere in Canada.
Sounds like a great place to drink craft beer, right? Well, you have lots of options at breweries in Duncan and Ladysmith for delicious beer and food.
The mid-Island port city of Nanaimo offers several brewery options. Enjoy the urban vibe at some of the city’s many restaurants and shops and then work off all the tasty treats you sampled by snorkelling with seals or hopping on a mountain bike, stand-up paddle board, or kayak.
Continue to the sheltered stretch of coastline in Nanoose Bay and Parksville Qualicum Beach, which is home to some of the province’s most spectacular beaches, as well as several excellent breweries.
Continue your island ale-venture with the Pacific Rim Ale Trail or the Northern Vancouver Island Ale Trail.
Longwood Brewpub in Nanaimo, BC
Day 1
Cowichan
Travel Info
From the mainland of BC:
Travel to Vancouver Island on BC Ferries.
Drive on the Ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, Victoria,
Or, from Vancouver, take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo; or, from Tsawwassen to Duke Point.
Alternatively, you can walk onto the new Hullo Ferries fast ferry from Downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo.
Drive from Victoria to Malahat, approximately 30 minutes
Perched 1880 feet above sea level atop the Malahat Summit, Villa Eyrie Resort is a mountain side retreat with a restaurant, spa, hiking trails and more.
Malahat SkyWalk offers an accessible 600m TreeWalk through a beautiful arbutus forest leading to a spectacular gentle spiral ramp that takes you up 32m to a sightseeing lookout offering views of Finlayson Arm, Saanich Peninsula, Mount Baker and the distant Coast Mountains.
A wooden railway trestle located north of Shawnigan Lake with spectacular views of the Koksilah River. One of the tallest free-standing timber rail trestle structures in the world.
With a fresh new brand and stylish renovations, Deadhead Brew Co has infused their quirky personalities into every corner of the former Small Block Brewing space. Now brewing an exciting array of new beers, their brewery isn’t just a place to grab a drink—it’s a playground for beer lovers, where creativity flows as freely as the taps.
Make a pit stop at this Duncan brewery located in a converted custom motorcycle shop. Proudly brewed in the Cowichan valley since 205, Red Arrow seeks to keep it simple and do what they do best: proudly and thoughtfully provide good beer and good times to their customers and community. Enjoy the full-service menu in the cozy taproom or the expansive patio.
Locally owned and managed, focusing on quality craft producers.
From well-appointed hotels and dozens of delightful B&B’s, to yurts, houseboats and float homes, there is something for everyone and every budget.
Explore More
Along with excellent breweries, Cowichan is also home to a number of craft distilleries, award-winning wineries, and Canada’s first estate cidery. Just north of Duncan is Canada’s first commercial tea farm. To fully experience the artistry and passion infused in every glass, consider slowing down and savouring the journey. Give yourself a few days to unwind and truly appreciate the flavours and experiences the Cowichan region has to offer.
For a truly immersive experience, consider hiring a local tour operator to guide you through the region. They’ll handle the logistics, share fascinating stories, and ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience as you relax and indulge in the region’s finest craft beverages.
Don’t miss out on local events during your visit! Check the Cowichan events calendar to see what’s happening.
Day 2
Duncan
Day 3
Ladysmith and Chemainus
Day 4
Nanaimo
Day 5
Nanaimo
Day 6
Nanoose Bay + Parksville
Day 7
Parksville Qualicum Beach
Produced In Collaboration With
The Cowichan Region takes its name from “Quw’utsun,” the name given to the valley by the Quw’utsun people. It is rooted in the Hul’q’umi’num word “shquw’utsun,” which means “to warm one’s back in the sun,” and is why the valley has been known as The Warm Land. The First People knew what they were talking about: Cowichan is located in Canada’s only maritime Mediterranean climatic zone and is home to the warmest year-round temperature anywhere in the country.
It’s no wonder this place is so well suited to growing things, including an incredible array of food and an unmatched quality of life. For decades, the Cowichan has been producing amazing artisanal food and drink from the region’s burgeoning farms, wineries, cideries, distilleries, fishers and artists.
Located in the heart of Vancouver Island, just 1.5 hours north of Victoria and 30-minutes south of Parksville, Nanaimo is the harbour city and home to 4 craft breweries, a vibrant cultural scene and 360° degrees of adventure. Tap your toes to live music in Diana Krall plaza downtown, or come to one of many outdoor festivals and markets–including internationally recognized Bathtub Days–and Longwoodstock, an annual celebration of music and beer.
There are many options from sea to sky that attract visitors to Nanaimo. Paddle the calm waters of more than 18 lakes in and around Nanaimo, and set your nautical compass for Newcastle Island (Saysutshun), traditional land of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, where you can sample traditional fare of the Coast Salish people.
Parksville Qualicum Beach is where memories come to life; the smells and sounds, tastes and textures that bring you back to a time when the world was a little smaller, people were a little nicer, and time wasn’t a big worry.
While Parksville Qualicum Beach may be best known for amazing sandy beaches that stretch for nearly a mile at low tide, there’s much more to the region than saltwater and sandy shores.
Start your next story with ‘there were goats on the roof’ or ‘we slept in a suspended treehouse,’, and see what kind of a reaction you get from your friends. Discover crystal formations and ancient fossils while sliding through Horne Lake Caves. Explore the ancient forests of Cathedral Grove, raging Englishman River and Little Qualicum Falls – enjoying the scenery and serenity, connecting with the Earth in a way that isn’t possible in the busy city. Visit rescued black bears, eagles, falcons, and other forest creatures, or paddle a kayak to discover sea lions and seals, watching from a respectful distance as they observe you, too.