The Route

The Walk is 55.9 km in total. It is on a gravel logging road up to Rest Stop 9 at Honeymoon Bay. The remainder of the Walk is on the gravel shoulder of a two lane highway through a scenic wooded area. The route is level until Rest Stop 7. The elevation rises to 100 meters, then declines before Honeymoon Bay.

Click on the red dots for more information.

REST STOPS:

1 - MAPLE GROVE
6.2 km from the start, Maple Grove Campsite will be hosted by The Footwear Centre and Dale Weaver Trucking. Refreshments and bathroom facilities (Porta potties) will be available. The terrain is flat and the surface is gravel. This part of your walk will no doubt be totally in darkness. A small flashlight is recommended.

2 - MARGUERITE MAIN
12.9 km out and 6.7 km from Rest Stop 1 is Marguerite Main. Hosted by H & H Outfitters, this site will offer refreshments and facilities. Terrain is flat on a gravel road.

3 - SHAW CREEK VALLEY LOOKOUT
19.8 km out and 6.9 km from Rest Stop 2, Cowichan Lake Baptist Church hosts this stop. Refreshments and facilities will be available. Terrain is flat on a gravel road. Register with your hosts.

4 - HEATHER CAMPSITE
25.2 km out and 5.4 km from Rest Stop 3, just past Hemmingson Bay, you will receive a warm welcome from Rainforest Expeditions. Refreshments and facilities will be offered at the beautiful Heather campsite. This is the first rest stop where you must make sure your walker number is registered. You are now rounding the head of the Lake and heading SE along the lower side of the Lake. Terrain is flat on a gravel road.

5 - PICNIC ISLANDS LOOKOUT
29.3 km out and 4.1 km from Rest Stop 4. Congratulations you are at the half way mark. Scandinavian Skol is your host and you can expect a big welcome from this enthusiastic group. Be sure to register. Refreshments and facilities available. Terrain is still flat on a gravel road.

6 - CAYCUSE CAMPSITE
33.3 km out and 4.0 km from Rest Stop 5 is Caycuse Campsite hosted by Curves. Expect a zealous welcome from this group, and enjoy refreshments and facilities before heading out. Be sure your walker number is registered. Terrain is still flat on a gravel road.

7 - RED GATE PULLOUT
37.0 km out and 3.7 km from Rest Stop 6. This will be the last stop before climbing the hill to the Youbou Lookout. Terrain is still flat but about to change. Gravel is underfoot. Sponsoring this site is the enthusiastic crew from the Cowichan Valley Dragon Boat Divas. Grab a nibble and a quick drink, make sure your walker number is registered, and enjoy the climb to an awesome lookout.

8 - YOUBOU LOOKOUT
39.6 km out and 2.6 km from Rest Stop 7. You will be welcomed by the Cowichan Lake Lollipops - Red Hat Society. At this point you are climbing the highest grade on the walk. This Lookout is 2/3 of the way up the grade. No doubt refreshments are foremost on your mind and they will be willingly served up by this group. Record your walker number, and continue to the top of this 100-meter grade.

9 - CHICKEN JOE CALL SIGN
43.6 km out and 4.0 km from Rest Stop 8. Friends of the A&W Root Bear await your arrival. Keep your eyes open for that bear. He might be lurking in the woods somewhere. Stop for refreshments and have your walker number recorded. Continue down the hill into Honeymoon Bay. You will pass March Meadows Golf Course, home course to world famous golfer Dawn Coe Jones. The gravel will soon change to pavement as you head through Honeymoon Bay.

10 - HONEYMOON BAY GAS STATION
47.3 km out and 3.7 km from Rest Stop 9. The Island Saving Credit Union folks are hosting this rest stop. Refreshments will be offered. Remember to have your walker number recorded. You are on pavement as you head down the home stretch. Please keep to the shoulder of the road facing oncoming traffic

11 - MESACHIE LAKE ENTRANCE SIGN
51.0 km out and 3.7 km from Rest Stop 10. The Riverside Inn and Mesachie Wood Craft and B.J.'s Ice Cream staff and associates will welcome you at this rest stop. If you see horses saddled up do not be temped to ride into town. You are so close to completing the challenge. Take a short rest, have some liquids and soak up some encouragement before heading out. You are still on pavement, so respect two-way traffic.

12 - BEAVER LAKE RESORT SIGN
53.9 km out and 2.9 km from Rest Stop 1. Hosted by the owners and developers of the Beaver Lake Resort. Refreshments, porta potties and your last check in station before the finish line. Still pavement under foot and a final walk in the woods before reaching the outskirts of Lake Cowichan and the Sports Arena, your hosts at the finish line.

FINISH - CENTENNIAL HALL, LAKE COWICHAN
55.9 km out and 2.0 km from Rest Stop 12. Experience the great welcome that awaits you at this final stop on your journey. Massage therapist, first aid technicians, entertainers and people to help you cool down and re-hydrate. Enjoy the entertainment and make some new friends. Take note of your final time crossing the finish line.

AWARD PRESENTATIONS ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE POSTED

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