Guidebook for Shawnigan Lake

Gabriele
Guidebook for Shawnigan Lake

Parks & Nature

The lake is popular for swimming, water skiing and other water sports. Mason's Beach is a five-minute walk from the B&B. There are other beaches closer to the village.
49 locals recommend
Shawnigan Lake
49 locals recommend
The lake is popular for swimming, water skiing and other water sports. Mason's Beach is a five-minute walk from the B&B. There are other beaches closer to the village.
This restored wooden trestle is apparently the largest of its kind in Canada. Once used for the railway, it is now part of Trans-Canada Trail and is a 20-minute walk from the trestle parking lot. It provides a spectacular crossing of the Koksilah River. A ten-minute drive from the B&B.
168 locals recommend
Kinsol Trestle
2869 Glen Eagles Rd
168 locals recommend
This restored wooden trestle is apparently the largest of its kind in Canada. Once used for the railway, it is now part of Trans-Canada Trail and is a 20-minute walk from the trestle parking lot. It provides a spectacular crossing of the Koksilah River. A ten-minute drive from the B&B.
The trails on the east side of the mountain are wide and well-kept. Very good viewpoints are found on the east and west sides of the summit. Good for a day hike. A ten-minute drive from the B&B.
46 locals recommend
Cobble Hill Mountain Regional Recreation Area
46 locals recommend
The trails on the east side of the mountain are wide and well-kept. Very good viewpoints are found on the east and west sides of the summit. Good for a day hike. A ten-minute drive from the B&B.
Spectacular views of the lake can be seen from the summit. Good for a day hike. A fifteen-minute drive from the B&B. The apparent trail entrance is on the east side of Shawnigan Lake Road across from the entrance to Radway Road, but it does not go to the summit of the mountain; it is a 1km long trail that ends at Baldy Mountain Road. A trail that goes to the summit is found part way up the mountain near the end of Strathcona Heights Road, on the south side, with a gate at the entrance; this is a gravel access road which is used to maintain the communications tower near the summit.
20 locals recommend
Old Baldy Mtn
2329 Strathcona Heights Rd
20 locals recommend
Spectacular views of the lake can be seen from the summit. Good for a day hike. A fifteen-minute drive from the B&B. The apparent trail entrance is on the east side of Shawnigan Lake Road across from the entrance to Radway Road, but it does not go to the summit of the mountain; it is a 1km long trail that ends at Baldy Mountain Road. A trail that goes to the summit is found part way up the mountain near the end of Strathcona Heights Road, on the south side, with a gate at the entrance; this is a gravel access road which is used to maintain the communications tower near the summit.
A quiet local park with one of the best beaches, popular with locals. There is also a small private lookout set on the lake, with benches, which is great for privacy and a place to relax. A fun way to get there is to walk along the old E&N rail line next to the lake, about 3/4 hour walk from the B&B.
10 locals recommend
Old Mill Park
Recreation Road
10 locals recommend
A quiet local park with one of the best beaches, popular with locals. There is also a small private lookout set on the lake, with benches, which is great for privacy and a place to relax. A fun way to get there is to walk along the old E&N rail line next to the lake, about 3/4 hour walk from the B&B.
This sandy beach is a five-minute walk from the B&B. This is a sandy beach popular with families.
16 locals recommend
Mason's Beach Park
Renfrew Road
16 locals recommend
This sandy beach is a five-minute walk from the B&B. This is a sandy beach popular with families.
Shawnigan Wharf Park has a popular sandy beach and a wharf for diving into the lake. A 20-minute walk from the B&B.
9 locals recommend
Shawnigan Wharf Park
Thrush Road
9 locals recommend
Shawnigan Wharf Park has a popular sandy beach and a wharf for diving into the lake. A 20-minute walk from the B&B.
This is a small but beautiful park set on the lake. There are large trees, a large field of grass and a place to swim. The beach is narrow and not sandy. A ten-minute drive from the B&B.
27 locals recommend
West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park
West Shawnigan Lake Road
27 locals recommend
This is a small but beautiful park set on the lake. There are large trees, a large field of grass and a place to swim. The beach is narrow and not sandy. A ten-minute drive from the B&B.

Arts & Culture

A really wonderful museum, small and quaint, but big in content, including a small movie theatre with short films. Located in the village, a 15-minute walk from the B&B.
15 locals recommend
Shawnigan Lake Museum
1775 Shawnigan Lake-Mill Bay Rd
15 locals recommend
A really wonderful museum, small and quaint, but big in content, including a small movie theatre with short films. Located in the village, a 15-minute walk from the B&B.

Essentials

Just a five-minute walk from the B&B, this store sells many food items, has its own bakery and an Automated Teller (ATM) kiosk.
15 locals recommend
Mason's Store & Patio Ltd
1885 Renfrew Rd
15 locals recommend
Just a five-minute walk from the B&B, this store sells many food items, has its own bakery and an Automated Teller (ATM) kiosk.
A good convenience store with friendly staff. Located in the village, a 15-minute walk from the B&B.
10 locals recommend
Aitken & Fraser General Store Ltd
2750 W Shawnigan Lake Rd
10 locals recommend
A good convenience store with friendly staff. Located in the village, a 15-minute walk from the B&B.
Laundromat.
Shell
828 Deloume Rd
Laundromat.

Food Scene

Affordable and fun food. Playfully decorated. Located in the village, a 15-minute walk from the B&B.
11 locals recommend
Village Chippery
2740 Dundas Rd
11 locals recommend
Affordable and fun food. Playfully decorated. Located in the village, a 15-minute walk from the B&B.
Very friendly staff and good food. Located in the village, a 15-minute walk from the B&B. An Automated Teller (ATM) is located next to the entrance.
10 locals recommend
Hosuka Japanese restaurant
2740 Dundas Rd
10 locals recommend
Very friendly staff and good food. Located in the village, a 15-minute walk from the B&B. An Automated Teller (ATM) is located next to the entrance.
Good local food, a five-minute walk from the B&B. Located above Mason's Store.
Rayas Pizza
1885 Renfrew Rd
Good local food, a five-minute walk from the B&B. Located above Mason's Store.
Affordable pizza made by friendly staff. Located in the village, a 15-minute walk from the B&B.
19 locals recommend
Sarpino's Pizzeria
7143 W Saanich Rd
19 locals recommend
Affordable pizza made by friendly staff. Located in the village, a 15-minute walk from the B&B.
This coffee shop is located in the same building as Oma's Bakery. Located in the village, a 15-minute walk from the B&B.
36 locals recommend
Shawnigan House coffee and chocolate
1761 Shawnigan Lake-Mill Bay Rd
36 locals recommend
This coffee shop is located in the same building as Oma's Bakery. Located in the village, a 15-minute walk from the B&B.
A fast food restaurant serving sushi and teriyaki. Located in the village, a 15-minute walk from the B&B.
20 locals recommend
Shawnigan Jen
2750 Shawnigan Lake Rd
20 locals recommend
A fast food restaurant serving sushi and teriyaki. Located in the village, a 15-minute walk from the B&B.
Merridale Cidery includes a bistro, bakery and deli. Pizza is a popular meal there. Located a short drive to the northeast of Shawnigan Lake on Merridale Road.
105 locals recommend
Merridale Cidery & Distillery
1230 Merridale Rd
105 locals recommend
Merridale Cidery includes a bistro, bakery and deli. Pizza is a popular meal there. Located a short drive to the northeast of Shawnigan Lake on Merridale Road.

Shopping

Contains Thrifty Foods, Pharmasave and many other stores. A ten-minute drive from the B&B.
11 locals recommend
Mill Bay Centre
845A Mill Bay Rd
11 locals recommend
Contains Thrifty Foods, Pharmasave and many other stores. A ten-minute drive from the B&B.
Contains Country Grocer, Island Pharmacy, Pizzeria Prima Strada family restaurant, Dragon Yuan Chinese Restaurant and many other stores. A ten-minute drive from the B&B.
7 locals recommend
Valleyview Centre
1400 Cowichan Bay Rd
7 locals recommend
Contains Country Grocer, Island Pharmacy, Pizzeria Prima Strada family restaurant, Dragon Yuan Chinese Restaurant and many other stores. A ten-minute drive from the B&B.

Getting Around

The Brentwood Bay - Mill Bay Ferry is an alternate way to get to and from the Victoria International Airport, instead of driving over the Malahat.
13 locals recommend
Mill Bay Ferry Terminal
Ferry Road
13 locals recommend
The Brentwood Bay - Mill Bay Ferry is an alternate way to get to and from the Victoria International Airport, instead of driving over the Malahat.
Most traffic to Shawnigan Lake comes over the Malahat Summit. There are spectacular views of Finlayson Arm from the summit.
Malahat Summit
Malahat Summit
Most traffic to Shawnigan Lake comes over the Malahat Summit. There are spectacular views of Finlayson Arm from the summit.
The Brentwood Bay - Mill Bay Ferry is an alternate way to get to and from the Victoria International Airport, instead of driving over the Malahat.
7 locals recommend
Brentwood Bay Ferry Terminal station
809 Verdier Ave
7 locals recommend
The Brentwood Bay - Mill Bay Ferry is an alternate way to get to and from the Victoria International Airport, instead of driving over the Malahat.

Sightseeing

A beautiful quiet bay with marina, a 3/4 hour drive to the north of Shawnigan Lake.
6 locals recommend
Genoa Bay
6 locals recommend
A beautiful quiet bay with marina, a 3/4 hour drive to the north of Shawnigan Lake.
A beautiful quiet bay with marina, a 1/2 hour drive to the north of Shawnigan Lake.
16 locals recommend
Maple Bay
16 locals recommend
A beautiful quiet bay with marina, a 1/2 hour drive to the north of Shawnigan Lake.
A very popular tourist destination, with many stores and restaurants on the bay. A 15-minute drive to the north of Shawnigan Lake.
109 locals recommend
Cowichan Bay
109 locals recommend
A very popular tourist destination, with many stores and restaurants on the bay. A 15-minute drive to the north of Shawnigan Lake.