10/19/2026
Hidden deep in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island stands one of the island’s most incredible landmarks — the Kinsol Trestle! 😍
Completed in 1920, this spectacular wooden railway bridge stretches 187 metres long and stands 44 metres above the Koksilah River. It was built to carry the railway across the rugged valley during Vancouver Island’s logging era.
The last train crossed in 1979, and after years of sitting abandoned, the trestle underwent extensive restoration and officially reopened to the public on July 28, 2011, as part of the Trans Canada Trail. Today, it’s a fantastic spot for walking, cycling and photography. 
🚗 How to get there
From Victoria: Head north on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). Turn left onto Mill Bay/Shawnigan Lake Road and follow it into Shawnigan Lake Village. Turn right onto Shawnigan Lake Road, which becomes Renfrew Road. Continue along Renfrew Road, then turn right onto Glen Eagles Road. Follow it to the Kinsol Trestle parking area near Shelby Road.
From Nanaimo or Duncan: Head south on the Trans-Canada Highway. From Duncan, turn right onto Shawnigan Lake/Cobble Hill Road and follow it to Shawnigan Lake. Turn right onto Renfrew Road, then right onto Glen Eagles Road and continue to the parking area near Shelby Road. 
🥾 The walk: From the south parking lot, it’s approximately 1.2 km along a wide, relatively flat gravel trail to reach the trestle. Allow around 15–20 minutes each way, depending on your pace.
So, if you’re exploring Vancouver Island, put this incredible piece of railway history on your list! And if you visit, take a moment to look down at the river below — the scale of this structure is truly amazing. 📸🐾
Have you visited the Kinsol Trestle before?