4x4trails.org
Home Explore Trails Map Explorer Offroad Tools + Submit Trail

Sign In to 4x4trails.org

Sync your theme, home location, bookmarks & karma across devices.

Continue with Google
or email & password

New to 4x4trails.org? Create an account →

■ Moderate • High Clearance Open / Clear 4x4 / Off-Road Dirt Bike Mountain Bike ✔ Verified

Carmanah Walbran & Nitinaht Main Backroad Loop

Caycuse / Rosander / Walbran Main • Near Lake Cowichan • Forest Service Road (FSR)
✎ Suggest Edit
💬 3 Comments

Technical Trail Telemetry

Distance & Time
94.5 km • ~3.5 hrs
Elevation Gain / Peak
+920m / 640m
Surface Type
Gravel, Blast Rock, Water Crossing, Wooden Bridges
Vehicle / Min Spec
9"+ Clearance • Moderate (High Clearance)
Brush / Pinstripe Rating
2/5 • Light Brush / Occasional Trim
Land Manager & Access
Mosaic Forest Management / BC Parks

Trail Guide, Obstacles & Access Notes

Route Overview

Deep Vancouver Island temperate rainforest route linking Lake Cowichan and Nitinaht Main to Carmanah Walbran old-growth groves.

Road Width & Bypass Notes: Active timber haul mains turning to narrow washed-out spurs into the Upper Walbran valley.
Key Obstacles: 📍 Single-Lane Log Bridges 📍 Sharp Blast Rock (2-Spare Recommended)

Interactive GPX Map & Elevation Profile

Blue P = Trailer/Staging Parking • Green = Trailhead Start • Hover chart to track position

KM: Elev: Grade:
Elevation Profile (175m → 640m • +920m)

Live Trail Condition Log

Recent snowline, mud, downed tree, and gate check-ins.

Maya Lin • 2022 Tacoma TRD Off-Road (33" Wildpeaks) ★★★★★
Passable Open / Clear Nov 11, 2026

Drove Carmanah Walbran & Nitinaht Main Backroad Loop yesterday. Radio callouts on RR-25 / 150.800 MHz were active. Waterbars above mid-mountain are deep—definitely air down at the staging coordinates.

Snowline: 1,350 m Mud / Water: Hub-deep in shaded creek draws; bridges intact

Trail Discussion (3)

Vote on helpful tips, click any vertical thread line on the left to collapse replies, or join the conversation.

Join the trail discussion. Sign in to post comments, reply, or vote.
[+] Maya Lin Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road • 6 minutes ago • pts (1 reply hidden)
M
Maya Lin @kootenay_tacoma Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road • 6 minutes ago
Aired down to 18 PSI at the staging pullout (`48.825, -124.054`). Surface held up well despite recent rain—keep radio open on RR-25 / 150.800 MHz.
[+] Liam Mercer KTM 500 EXC-F Six Days • 6 minutes ago • pts (1 reply hidden)
L
Liam Mercer @sea2sky_enduro KTM 500 EXC-F Six Days • 6 minutes ago
Did you notice any fresh blowdown or washout ruts around the high point (640m)? Planning a dual-sport run this Saturday.
[+] Colton Vance (BC Dispatch) Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Series (Triple Locked) • 6 minutes ago • pts
C
Colton Vance (BC Dispatch) @bcoverland_admin Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Series (Triple Locked) • 6 minutes ago
Saw two small alders cleared near the switchbacks last weekend—totally passable on bikes and full-size rigs right now. Pack a folding saw just in case wind picks up.

+ Upload Trail Photo

— or paste an image URL —
Trip Plan & Safety

Share Backcountry Trip Check-In

🚩 Report Trail Issue