Tzouhalem is an iconic mountain that rises recognizably to the northeast of Duncan. If you’re a resident of Vancouver Island it’s likely you’ve driven past this fantastic southern Vancouver island hike many times. That’s not to say that Mt Tzouhalem is a local secret by any means – it’s one of the most popular areas in the region for outdoor recreation, with a myriad of hiking and mountain biking trails to be explored. One of the best and most popular trails on Mt Tzouhalem is the one that leads to a fantastic panoramic overlook of the Cowichan Valley. This viewpoint is often referred to as the Cross Viewpoint in reference to the large white cross that was formerly erected on the spot. Mt Tzouhalem is not only one of the best hikes near Duncan, but the views from the top make it one of my favourite hikes on southern Vancouver Island.
The mountain was originally known as Shkewetsen“, or “basking in the sun”. According to oral history, local people’s took shelter on the slopes of the mountain during The Great Flood. The mountain was named after Tzouhalem, a Qualicum chief who was banished to the mountain by his own people because of all his murders.
Tzouhalem lived out the rest of his life in a cave on the side of the mountain with his fourteen wives. Ultimately he decided that he wanted a fifteenth, and was killed in his attempt to take one from Penelakut Island.
Continue reading this blog post for everything you need to know to experience the Mt Tzouhalem Viewpoint hike on Vancouver Island for yourself, including distance, elevation gain, how to get there, the best time to visit, and lots of photos of my experience.
When hiking it’s generally important to avoid harmful practices such as disturbing plants or rock-stacking, or removing any natural object from flowers to rocks, as it’s important to leave the environment as natural as possible for the animals and for fellow hikers to enjoy in perpetuity. That said, I made sure to uproot and carry down some small scotch broom plants. As many flowers as there are, there are few enough that if we all took one, then there wouldn’t be any left. Take only photos, leave only footprints.
If you haven’t heard of Leave No Trace principles, they’re also really essential to read up on before heading anywhere into the outdoors in general. Following these important principles basically means doing your best to leave beautiful places like Mt Tzouhalem as good (if not better) than you found them, both for their preservation and for the enjoyment of other visitors.
Mt Tzouhalem Viewpoint Round Trip Details
Distance: 6 KM / 3.7 MI
Elevation Gain: 243 M / 797 FT
Hiking Time: 1.5-2 HRS
Hiking & Safety Tips
- Prepare for the possibility of wildlife encounters. There are almost no grizzly bears on Vancouver Island, but black bears are still common. Bear bells are proven to be an ineffective bear deterrent, and are even actively discouraged by Parks Canada. The best way to let bears know you’re around is simply to use your voice. Make sure to keep a respectful distance from wildlife and never feed the animals. It may seem kind but it doesn’t just kill wildlife and put people in danger, it’s also in many cases illegal.
- Research current trail conditions and make sure you are well-informed about the route before you leave, and assess if it is within your capability. Be aware of what time it gets dark and check the weather forecast. Make sure to tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return. Every year as more and more people try hiking for the first time, the number of rescues goes up. Being prepared is the best defense.
- Pack everything you need for a successful hike, including enough water and energy-rich snacks. Remember to pack out everything you pack in though – don’t expect to find a convenient garbage can halfway up the trail. Bring appropriate layers (remember you’ll warm up once you start hiking) and sun protection. Hiking poles may be helpful but are not required. In addition to not leaving any garbage on the trail yourself, I highly recommend bringing a garbage bag and collecting any trash that you do see on the trail. You’re guaranteed to make the hike up Mt Tzouhalem a more enjoyable experience for the next person.
How to Get to Mt Tzouhalem Viewpoint Trailhead
One of the reasons that Mt Tzouhalem hike is so popular is that the trailhead is located fifteen minutes from Duncan and halfway up the mountain – meaning a lot of the elevation has already been gained by car. From Highway 1 going through Duncan, turn east onto Trunk road at the large intersection with all the gas stations. Drive straight for 2.3 km, passing by the 7-11, eventually reaching a roundabout where you turn left onto Maple Bay Road. Continue for a few minutes before turning right onto Kingsview Road. Take the third right onto Chippewa Road and keep left to turn onto Kaspa Road. Follow Kaspa Road to its end to reach the Mt Tzouhalem parking lot.
Click here to open the exact trailhead location in Google Maps.
Hiking to Mt Tzouhalem Viewpoint
There are a couple different trailheads on either side of the parking lot. When you first drive into the Mt Tzouhalem parking lot, the correct trailhead is on your left.
After a minute or two the road curves away to the right. Continue straight past the yellow gate. From here the trail continues on for about ten minutes, occasionally intersected by much smaller bike trails.
At the first major intersection turn right onto the branch marked Old M/L.
Again, stay on the main trail, keeping off the mountain bike trails.
Keep left here to begin heading uphill at a slightly steeper grade.
The Mt Tzouhalem trail is never super steep – this is about as steep as it gets.
Keep right to get onto BR D.
A sign for the Cross Trail points hikers in the right direction.
This signpost is a bit confusing. Turn right here to cross the small stream and continue onto the summit.
Unlike the previous trail which was mostly old road, the hiking trail from here is roomier and smaller.
Curving up towards the viewpoint. Stay on trail here to avoid trampling the sensitive vegetation
At the cross lookout on Mt Tzouhalem, enjoying the view.
Recommended Hiking Gear
Water is a must whenever I’m hiking, especially if the sun is going to be out. My favourite water filter I’ve used is the Katadyn BeFree 0.6L, which unlike other water filters I’ve used packs up really small and lightweight. For hikes where I know there won’t be any readily available water sources along the way, I make sure to bring my own. The Hydrapak Stow 1L bottle is my go-to, for the same reason that it’s made of a soft plastic that folds up and doesn’t take up any more extra space than necessary in my pack. Finally, Aquatabs are another great option for purifying water, with one tablet being suitable for one litre of water. I previously used the Grayl water filter while travelling internationally, and though I found its hard body more convenient for day to day use and easier to drink from, it has a little too much bulk for my fast-and-light style of hiking.
The secret to all my photos of gorgeous sunset and sunrise mountaintop views? A lot of hiking in the dark. And let me speak from personal experience when I say that the last thing that you want to happen when hiking is to be caught in the dark without a headlamp. I used the Black Diamond Spot 400 for years and it worked great – until I lost it on top of a mountain somewhere. The only downside to it was having to worry about the batteries dying, though there’s also a slightly more expensive version that has a rechargeable battery. Nowadays I’m using the Petzl Actik Core, which is a bit pricier than the more budget-friendly Black Diamond, but is also brighter, more comfortable (in my opinion), and has a hybrid power system that is rechargeable but can also take AAA batteries if needed.
You won’t see me using trekking poles on shorter hikes often – but on long hikes and backpacking trips, as well as certain scrambles, they are an absolute lifesaver. I’ve invested in a high quality ultra-lightweight pair of MSR DynaLock Ascent carbon poles which, while pricey, I don’t regret one bit. If you’re not entirely sure how much use you’re going to get out of a pair of trekking poles, the best budget-friendly option would be the Trekology Trek Z 2.0. Amazon does sell a lot of cheaper Made in China-style trekking poles for cheaper, but these usually are much much heavier and not worth buying.
All the best and most long-lasting cables and power banks I’ve ever owned have been Anker. I once had a phone cable from them that lasted me over three years of daily use! That’s why I keep an Anker PowerCore Essential 20K power bank on me. Like many people I use my phone for a lot of stuff when hiking (checking in with family, using online maps, taking photos, flying my drone) so I like to be prepared for that low battery warning by having a backup power source on me just in case.
The only socks I ever buy for myself are from Darn Tough, and I almost always make sure to wear them when hiking. After years of having no problems only wearing these comfortable and rugged socks for hikes, I accidentally wore a pair of no-name socks on a hike last year and ended up with blisters on both feet. Safe to say I’m back to sticking with the Darn Tough. And the best part? They have a lifetime guarantee, meaning that if they ever wear out you can send them back for a brand new pair. For hiking footwear I go between a pair of lightweight approach shoes for quick and dirty mountain ascents or anything involving scrambling and more heavy-duty boots for longer treks. I’ve worn a couple different versions of the lightweight but super durable Arc’teryx Konseal FL 2 approach shoes for a few years now and am very impressed with the durability. I also really like the thick toecap that keeps me protected every time I stumble into a root or large rock. For longer, tougher, or muddier treks I rely on my LOWA Camino EVO GTX, which I find insanely comfortable and made of very high quality.
I wear my Ar’teryx Gamma Lightweight Pants on every single hike I go on, and on many days when I’m not hiking. After several years of abuse they are still holding together extraordinarily well, with only a few small holes from where I’ve fallen down and some slight stains from being repeatedly coated with mud. They’re lightweight, breathable, and super comfortable. For lightweight and breathable hiking tops I’m a big fan of both the Patagonia Capilene Shirt and the MEC Core Shirt. My Arc’teryx Squamish Hoody shows up in a lot of my photos. It’s super lightweight and packable, and does a great job of cutting the wind while also being pretty breathable. I also have an Arc’teryx Atom Hoody and Arc’teryx Beta LT that I pull out for cooler or wetter conditions.
I hope you enjoyed this guide to hiking Mt Tzouhalem near Duncan on Vancouver Island! Feel free to leave any questions in the comment section below or to contact me directly via social media.