City of Duncan - Gateway to the Cowichan Valley and Native History

Your driving vacation won't be complete without making the scenic trek into the city of Duncan.

From Victoria, you'll drive over the Malahat Highway, heading down into the Cowichan Valley region to Duncan. A SPECTACULAR DRIVE! Make sure you have your camera ready for two especially breathtaking scenic points at the highway's highest elevation (you'll see the signs for where to pull off).

Continuing north on the highway, the city of Duncan (about 40 minutes north of Victoria) sits in the bowl of the Cowichan Valley, populated with almost 5,000 people.

This is a really diverse valley region rich with farms, vineyards, forests and lakes.

As you enter the city limits from Victoria in the summer, you'll see farmers markets lined up along the right edge of the highway offering fresh valley produce (great if you're camping). You'll also find other "odds and ends" at these markets.

We think this is worth a stop, as you'll enjoy getting a feel and taste for some of the local offerings.

Known as the "City of Totems," Duncan is a good place to visit if you want to find out about the history of totem poles. About 80 unique hand-carved cedar totem poles are on display downtown, in the city parks, and along the main highway.

These are totem pole designs that originate with the Salish Indians of coastal British Columbia. Each totem pole is unique, representing a family-clan, its dignity, its accomplishments, it prestige, its adventures, and its stories. A totem pole served, in essence, as the emblem of a family or clan.

Get a good view of about 40 totem poles by following the sidewalk's yellow footprints on a self-guided tour. This starts at the Cowichan Valley Museum, located in the heart of the city of Duncan. Free guided tours are also available - just ask at the Museum (open year-round).

The Duncan museum is located at the train station. If you're coming in from Victoria, turn left off the Island Highway #1 on to Trunk Rd. Travel five blocks then turn right.

Since this valley area is the traditional home of the Coast Salish Indians, it's a good place to learn about Vancouver Island's First Nation's native culture. And not to be missed, is the superb Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre.

To get here, turn off the main highway onto Cowichan Way. I was impressed by the very good exhibits and being able to watch Cowichan artists and elders doing their traditional carving. If you prefer to be led through, ask for a tour.

The city of Duncan is home to the world's largest hockey stick and puck!

Built from Douglas Fir, the 205-foot hockey stick weighs over 60,000 pounds (about 28,000 kgs). The stick and puck were originally part of the Expo '86 World's Fair Exposition in Vancouver, but was then donated to the Province of British Columbia, with the city of Duncan being its final destination.

The stick and puck are attached to the outside of the Cowichan Community Centre, located at 2687 James Street. To get there: turn left off the Island Highway on to James Street. You can't miss it!

Admission includes the train tour. Although not a spectacular tour, if you have kids, they'll like it. Board the steam locomotive that takes you on a mini-tour of a Douglas Fir forest, over a trestle, and past sawmills typically of this region. It's a good chance to see some of the local flora and fauna.

A must-stop for water adventurers is the Cowichan River. The fast-flowing waters can definitely provide a challenge for kayakers and white water canoeists.

Cowichan Lake is a really beautiful lake with camping available and beach area. The road is paved all the way to the lake from Duncan.

To get there: drive through the city of Duncan, staying on Highway #1. Watch for the Highway # 18 sign and left turn at the lights to head west to Lake Cowichan.

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