Kinsol Trestle Trail

Due to the natural beauty of the surrounding scenery and its historical importance, the Kinsol Trestle is a popular hiking area that can become extremely busy during peak times and on weekends. As such, parking at the trailhead is often limited and will require you to arrive early to beat out the crowds and secure a spot. Alternatively, if there are no spaces available, you can try parking along the side of the road and walking the remaining distance to the trailhead.

Hiking the Kinsol Trestle Trail is an amazing family-friendly experience that will allow you to fully appreciate the masterful engineering of the trestle itself, but also the beauty of the landscape that it spans. Built in 1920 to support the burgeoning logging industry on Vancouver Island, the Kinsol Trestle is the largest of eight trestles that can be found along the Cowichan Valley Trail. While working your way along the route, you will be surrounded by the breathtaking views of not only the massive timber frame of the trestle, but also the rushing waters of the Koksilah River below. With wonderfully maintained trails, charming picnic areas, and the option to hike across the trestle; there are so many reasons why a trip to the Kinsol Trestle should be at the top of your adventure list.

Setting out from the parking area off Shelby Road, head north and follow the wide, well-groomed path as it passes through a beautiful stretch of forest. After roughly 1476ft, the trail will bend towards the northeast and the tree cover will become a bit more dense as you make the approach to the trestle.

After 1km of hiking, you will come to a junction in the trail next to a nice picnic area in the forest. Continue straight through the junction to begin your walk across the vast wooden expanse of the Kinsol Trestle. With restorations being completed in 2011, the trestle features a beautifully-maintained and very flat boardwalk that is accessible for hikers of every skill level. As you make your way across the old railway trestle, take some time to gaze down into the heavily-wooded river valley below and the rushing waters of the Koksilah River.

Once you have reached the other side of the trestle, head to the right to enter into another forested picnic area to enjoy the shade of the forest canopy and have a quick snack. From here, you can make your way back along the Kinsol Trestle and enjoy the views one last time, before returning to your vehicle at the trailhead. For those looking to further explore the area, there are a number of trails that branch off from the main route in addition to the paved trails leading below the trestle to the edge of the river.

Trail Highlights

Kinsol Trestle

Out of the eight railway trestles along the Cowichan Valley Trail, the historic Kinsol Trestle is the largest and most spectacular of the bunch. Standing at 614ft long and 144ft high, this is one of the tallest free-standing timber trestles in the world and the largest within the Commonwealth. Constructed in 1920, this large structure was used as an efficient means to transport massive old-growth trees across the rugged Vancouver Island terrain during the logging industry’s heyday.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is the Kinsol Trestle?

The Kinsol Trestle stands 144ft above the flowing waters of the Koksilah River and spans a distance of 614ft, making it one of the tallest timber trestles in the world.

Can I cross the Kinsol Trestle?

Yes. After its railway usage was discontinued in 1980, the trestle was restored with a usable walkway for pedestrians.