Things To Do
Adventure Ideas
Whitewater Kayaking
From November through May, the Cowichan Valley and areas to the North and West of us offer excellent paddling in pristine locations. With the Cowichan, Koksilah, Chemainus, Nanaimo and Gordon Rivers nearby (just to name a few), a person could spend a week paddling this area and not become bored. If you’re experienced, bring your gear and we’ll point you towards the put-ins. Guided beginners can enjoy mellow introductory kayaking trips on the Cowichan River during the summer thanks to lower water flows.
Prefer a lesson? Half day, full day, weekend courses and youth camps are available. Learn to roll in the inn’s pool then head out to the river. A certified whitewater instructor will ensure you learn to paddle in a safe and comfortable manner. See our Kayaking Lessons & Tours page for more details.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking trails abound in the Cowichan Valley. Cycle right from the Warm Rapids Inn onto the abandoned Canadian Pacific Railway line just minutes from the inn. By combining the old CPR line and the Trans Canada Trail, you can cycle in a loop to the village of Lake Cowichan and back. Countless backroads, old logging roads, and single track trails offer biking options for all experience levels.
Hiking
The 20 km long Cowichan River footpath, located in the nearby Cowichan River Provincial Park, allows you to hike in a loop or figure of eight by taking advantage of bridges and trestles over the river. A section of the famous Trans Canada Trail is less than 3 kilometres from the inn and will span over 17,000 km’s when completed. Hikers and bikers alike can cross the refurbished Marie Canyon Trestle high above the Cowichan River.
Ocean Kayaking
Just 25 minutes from the Warm Rapids Inn is the Straight of Georgia and the Southern Gulf Islands. Sheltered, scenic paddling is possible in the many bays, channels and narrows in the area. Or, just 10 minutes from us is Cowichan Lake, a large freshwater lake with great beaches and forests. For the multi-day enthusiast, consider a guided trip on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.
Windsurfing
Cowichan Lake is the second largest freshwater lake on Vancouver Island and offers excellent beginner and intermediate windsurfing. Nitinat Lake is a large tidal lake approximately 70 kilometres West of Lake Cowichan. Nitinat Lake is a windsurfer’s paradise given the strong and predictable afternoon winds that occur almost daily throughout the summer months.
Helping people experience the natural beauty of the Cowichan Valley