Vancouver Island offers a never-ending list of amazing places to explore. One of these awe-inspiring “Must See” places is The Kinsol Trestle. The perfect destination for those wanting to get out and explore the great outdoors. Walk, run, or cycle your way through a bit of Vancouver Island history.
I remember as a child walking beside the railway or crossing its path in search of my dad’s favorite fishing holes. The easiest way to find them was to follow the line to where it crossed the river. I’m not sure why the fish always had to find the most difficult of places to hide in. Perhaps it was just my dad felt there would be more chance of finding the big ones in some hard to find secret location. It always made for great adventure. The rail trestles were a sight to behold. Looming high above the river, they were made even scarier when a train went thundering over them.
Sadly, the railways of Vancouver Island are no longer in working order. Attempts have been made to bring back a passenger rail service on southeastern Vancouver Island, but the cost is a major barrier to this. Fortunately, some railway lines have been turned into beautiful walking and cycling trails. Flat, wide gravel paths allow for easy accessibility and navigation for all levels.
The Kinsol Trestle is on one of these trails. It is part of the Cowichan Valley Trail and is one of eight trestles along the route. The trail is open to cyclists, hikers, and equestrians. From the parking lot on the south side of the Trestle, it is an easy approximate 1.2 km walk on the old railway grade.
The ruggedness of Vancouver Island created the need for efficient ways to transport the region’s huge, old-growth timber. Wood trestles were built extensively to span the massive canyons and ravines. The Kinsol Trestle was built as part of a plan to connect Victoria to Nootka Sound, passing through Cowichan Lake and Port Alberni on its way. It is one of the tallest free-standing and most spectacular timber trail trestle structures in the world. Standing 614 feet (187 meters) in length and 145 feet (44 meters) above the Koksilah River, it is an impressive sight!
Its true magnificence and beauty can only be felt when you are standing on it or beside it. Designed by engineers but built by local farmers and loggers, the blood and sweat of the people who originally built it, is felt in every stand of timber. This old trestle was well worth bringing back to life. The painstaking preservation and restoration that went into returning it to its former glory, a gift for all to enjoy and appreciate. It is a definite “Must See”.
A little History of the Kinsol Trestle
| 1911 | Line started by the Canadian Northern Pacific Railway. Designed by engineers but built by local farmers and loggers with investment funds from Canadian Western Lumber Company (largest lumber company in the world at the time). Trestle was never completed by CNPR and only reached Youbou before terminated. |
| 1918 | Building of Kinsol Trestle taken over by Canadian National Railways. |
| 1920 | Kinsol Trestle is officially finished. |
| 1922 – 1925 | Passenger trips become available through the Valley. |
| 1931 -1936 | Winter floods cause extensive damage to the Trestle. Reconstruction and installation of the lower Howe Truss. |
| 1973 – 1984 | CN completes last major repairs, then abandons part of the line. BC government takes over. |
| 1979 | The last train to cross the Kinsol. Trestle abandoned 1 year later. |
| 1999 – 2010 | After years of neglect and vandalism, the Cowichan Valley Regional District is commissioned to restore the Kinsol Trestle for park use. The BC Gov. proposes to remove trestle, but it was determined that rehabilitation will take place instead. |
| 2011 – 2012 | Restoration of the Kinsol Trestle finishes with a grand re-opening. CVRD continues to manage and maintain the Trestle as part of the Cowichan Valley Trail. |
The Kinsol Trestle is located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.