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Vanislander
Vanislander
Vanislander
Vanislander
Vanislander

Seymour Range

The Seymour Range is a small mountain range on southern Vancouver Island. It has an area of 888 sq km (343 sq mi) comprises the hills and mountains between the San Juan River and the valley of Lake Cowichan.
Pitch a camp as a head-start and start your adventure into the Seymour Range area through the enormous packed trees passing around tarns and ponds. There are chances for the existence of Sitka spruce and cedar trees. Also, the high quality of hiking up at the peaks in the surrounding mountains and the beautiful scenery of valleys and hills covered with lush forest are among the highlights.
Visitors will experience an enriching journey in the nearby Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park and Cowichan Lake, whether for camping and strolling around the lake or having fun doing several activities.
Being close to the communities such as Lake Cowichan, Port Renfrew, Mesachie Lake, and Youbou is considered a bonus for visiting the Seymour Range.


Seymour Range Location

The Seymour Range is located on southern Vancouver Island between the Valley of Lake Cowichan and San Juan River. Visitors would enjoy spending a perfect time camping on Cowichan Lake and Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park.
The nearby Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park is worth visiting for its several trails. It offers awe-inspiring old-growth forest settings, including Sitka spruce and cedar. The old-growth forest is even more majestic from the viewing platforms located at Three sisters, Heaven tree, and Coast Tower. Suit up for watching storms crashing against the rocks of the west coast of Vancouver Island with opportunities for seeing whales passing by.
Communities near the Seymour Range are Honeymoon Bay and Mesachie Lake along the south side of the Cowichan Lake and Lake Cowichan community, east end of the lake.
However, Extensive parts of Cowichan Lake are undeveloped, but there are still many more places to roam, camp on, and have fun getting entertained by several things to do. Gordon Bay Provincial Park is located next to Cowichan Lake. It is home to old-growth Douglas fir trees.


How to Get to the Seymour Range by Car

From Nanaimo:
The fastest route to get to the Seymour Range from Nanaimo is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. It is a 122 km (75.8 miles) route and takes about 2 hours.
Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S and Cowichan Valley Hwy/BC-18 W for 72.6 km (45.1 miles) to S Shore Rd in Lake Cowichan. Continue on S Shore Rd to your destination in Cowichan Valley F for 49.4 km (30.6 miles).

From Victoria:
Getting to the Seymour Range from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. It is 141 km (87.6 miles) and takes almost 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and Cowichan Valley Hwy/BC-18 W for 92 km (57.1 miles) to S Shore Rd in Lake Cowichan. Continue on S Shore Rd to your destination in Cowichan Valley F for 49.4 km (30.6 miles).


The Hike to Get to the Seymour Range

The "West Coast Trail" stretches 75.3 km (46.7 miles) along the west coast of Vancouver Island. It offers perfect hiking through the pleasant atmosphere of moderate rainforest packed with varieties of wildlife and colourful birds. The point-to-point trail is heavily trafficked out, and it's primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking. The trail is rated as difficult, gaining an elevation of 1822 m (5977 ft.). May through September is the best time to hike the West Coast Trail and enjoy its natural beauty.


History of the Seymour Range

Seymour Range area is the traditional territory of Huu-ay-aht’s People. Their legends and culture are rooted in the mountains, lakes, and rivers of the range and nearby areas.


Things to do around Seymour Range Area

Visiting the Seymour Range would be an enriching and challenging experience. Hiking the incredible mountains through the lush forest's pleasant ambiance, which wraps the hills and valleys, amplifies the hikers' sense of freshness.
Check out Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park and Cowichan Lake, pitch a camp and stroll through the fresh atmosphere of the lake and park. Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park is the hikers' paradise due to several hiking trails. Enjoy fantastic wildlife from viewing platforms with the majestic old-growth setting.
Get entertained by several activities at Gordon Bay Park as windsurfing, swimming in the lake's freshwaters, perfect fishing, and waterskiing.

List of Mountain Ranges Near Seymour Range

Seymour Range

Seymour Range

Seymour Range Activities

Swimming

Swimmers can enjoy the warm water of Cowichan Lake in the summers. There is a designated area at the lake's sandy beach, which can be identified by a log boom. Via the day-use area, visitors can access the swimming beach. Also, visitors can swim in the San Juan River. There are no lifeguards on duty.

Hiking

The Seymour Range offers perfect hiking through the range's area, inducing a sense of freshness with the beautiful vista of the valley, hills, and mountains dotting the area up at the peaks. Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park has several hiking trails viewing platforms located at Three sisters, Heaven tree, and Coast Tower with old-growth settings and large and enormous Sitka spruce and cedar trees.

Climbing

Climbing the majestic mountains of Seymour Range would be adventurous. Up at the peaks, the beautiful scenery of trees and valley below make you refreshed. Be well-equipped before climbing.

Cycling

Visitors can bike at Gordon Bay Provincial Park. Keep on roadways. Bicycle Helmets are mandatory.

Waterskiing

Among the water-oriented activities available at Cowichan Lake, waterskiing is the most popular one. Water-skiers can access the water by a boat launch near the parking lot, and they have to remain outside of the log boom.

Kayaking, Canoeing

On Cowichan Lake, paddlers have chances to canoe and kayak through the beautiful environment of the lake. Paddlers can access the water by a boat launch.

Scuba Diving

Along with several water activities available in Cowichan Lake, scuba diving chances also exist in the lake's freshwater.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing, as well as waterskiing, is a popular activity on Cowichan Lake. Same as water skiers, windsurfers have to remain outside of the log room. Access to the water is by a boat launch near the parking lot.

Fishing

Should you have time, have fun fishing at Cowichan Lake, a popular spot for its freshwater fishing and the spectacular environment in different seasons. There are opportunities for catching rainbow, cutthroat, and Dolly Varden trout. All anglers should check the regulations for knowing restrictions before fishing. An appropriate license is required.

Hunting

Hunting is permitted in some portions of the Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park for specific species. Tags and licenses are required for hunting. For knowing regulations and closures, check out the Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis publication.

What you Can Expect to Do Near Seymour Range

West Coast Outdoor Adventure Whale Watching

West Coast Outdoor Adventure Whale Watching

Nitinat Triangle Kayaking and Canoeing

Nitinat Triangle Kayaking and Canoeing

Shawnigan Lake Kayaking and Canoeing

Shawnigan Lake Kayaking and Canoeing

Boeing 737 Jet Plane Diving

Boeing 737 Jet Plane Diving

Camping in the Gordon Bay Camp Site

Camping in the Gordon Bay Camp Site

Cowichan Lake Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Cowichan Lake Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Cowichan Lake Windsurfing

Cowichan Lake Windsurfing

Nitinat Lake Kiteboarding

Nitinat Lake Kiteboarding

Seymour Range Outline

Specifications

Peaks and Heights

Climate

Timing

Get There



1. Temperatures are related to Port Renfrew and estimated on average.

1. The coordinate is for Wakashan Peak.

What you Can Expect to See Near Seymour Range

Duncan

Duncan

Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan

Nitinat Caves

Nitinat Caves

Skutz Falls

Skutz Falls

Seymour Range

Seymour Range

West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park

West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park

Cowichan River Provincial Park

Cowichan River Provincial Park

Memory Island Provincial Park

Memory Island Provincial Park

Koksilah River

Koksilah River

Nitinat Lake

Nitinat Lake

Cowichan Lake

Cowichan Lake

Cowichan River

Cowichan River

Planning for the Seymour Range

Suitability

Camping & Resort

Services

Tips

Packing


1. Distances are measured by driving routes to the Seymour Range.

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