Time for a Trail  

Let's turn the inactive Island Rail Corridor into a
multi-use trail that connects Vancouver Island

Island Rail Corridor near Cowichan Station (Photo: Alan Philip)

The disused Island Rail Corridor could be a multi-use greenway connecting the east coast of Vancouver Island

The E&N is a gorgeous corridor that stretches from Victoria to Courtenay and Parksville to Port Alberni. Why not convert it to a continuous active-transportation corridor connecting our communities and First Nations. Just think of the potential!

A continuous trail preserves the E&N Corridor for future generations at minimal expense. It can also easily adapt to First Nations interests.

Studies estimate $95 million in annual economic benefit from the trail as well as significant physical and mental health benefits.

A non-motorised, multi-use trail eliminates ongoing carbon emissions, noise pollution and creates a more natural environment.

A video about an amazing potential trail for Vancouver Island

FORT-VI’s federally-funded feasibility study demonstrates the benefits of a continuous multi-use trail on the rail bed of the Island Corridor. The study looked at the health benefits of active transportation and found significant positive impacts.
Learn more

Trail Map

Click on icons for more information. Click on resulting image at left to see the full size image.

The orange icons are photos taken along the corridor showing the scenery along the way.
If you have a photo you would like to share please send it with the location to [email protected].

Recent News

Mar 21 2025

Rail trails are good for business

Two new businesses – a craft brewery and craft coffee shop – took a chance in 2023 on locating next to the Okanagan Rail Trail near its Kelowna end. They both saw the huge potential of capitalizing on heavy Rail Trail traffic
Read More

Mar 12 2025

Cycling survey

A cycling tourism strategy is being prepared for the Cowichan Valley
Read More

Feb 26 2025

CVRD Shared Vision

The Cowichan Valley Regional District has released their report on a Shared Vision for the Island Rail Corridor
Read More

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Green Lake Trestle on the Island Rail Corridor

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