Rathtrevor Park to Goats on the Roof in Coombs by bike/hike mostly trail

Trail to Coombs from Rathtrevor Park

Ride your bike to Goats on the Roof in Coombs from Rathtrevor Park & Campground. Starting from the beach near the main parking lot heading out the access road to the RDN trail to Top Bridge Park over the suspension bridge back down to the waterline trail along the railway tracks and out to Coombs.

Rathtrevor trail to Coombs
Ride to Coombs using park & rail trails

Starting from the main parking lot in Rathtrevor Park head up the paved access road. Halfway up the hill there is a bench on the left hand side with a trail behind it. Head up that trail to Resort Drive and turn left following Resort Drive to the Tigh na Mara intersection and turn right to the light at the highway. Cross the highway and go straight to Industrial Way. To the right is the RDN trail head for the Top Bridge Park  . Follow the RDN trail through the old gravel pit staying on the main trail to Top Bridge.

Cross over the suspension bridge and head up the road to where it widens a bit. On the right hand side there is a trail that parallels the river, follow it under the highway and trestle. After the trestle turn left onto the waterline trail which will parallel the train tracks.

Use caution at all crossings and respect other trail users. The safest place to cross the Alberni Highway (right after the train station) is by turning right down the highway to Despard and crossing at the pedestrian signal. You can then keep going on Despard past the school and dog park and you will see a gravel path on the left. This path will take you up to the rail trail again.

Crossing on the rail trail
Stop at the marked crossings
Riding along the rail trail to Coombs
Riding along the rail trail on the way to Coombs
Allsbrook side of the suspension bridge
Allsbrook side of the suspension bridge on the way to the rail trail.

 

 

Kinsol Trestle Trail

The Kinsol Trestle is one of eight trestles along the Cowichan Valley Trail route and by far the largest and most spectacular. The Kinsol Trestle is one of the tallest free-standing and most spectacular timber rail trestle structures in the world. At 187metres in length and standing 44 metres above the salmon bearing Koksilah River, the Kinsol is an incredible structure.

To get there from north of Duncan –  Drive south of Duncan on the Trans Canada Highway and turn west (right) onto Cobble Hill/Shawnigan Lake Road and follow it all the way to Shawnigan Lake. Turn right onto Renfrew Road and follow the road past the end of the Lake to Gleneagles Road and turn right. There is a public parking area about 550 metres down the road on the right hand side.

Trestle brochure with map

 

 

PQ Links Trail – Parksville Qualicum route off the main roads for cyclists, runners, & walkers

Want to cycle, walk, run or roll between the City of Parksville and the Town of Qualicum Beach without having to use Highway 19A? The Parksville-Qualicum Beach Links is a 13 kilometre low-traffic road route that connects the City and Town via French Creek (Electoral Area G). The Links features a pleasant suburban road network with only one hill, an accessible pedestrian-cyclist bridge over French Creek, and two stretches of paved trail at the Qualicum Beach end. The whole way is marked with signage directing users to Parksville or Qualicum Beach.

PQ links trail map