The Upper Walbran Valley is located on southwestern Vancouver Island, roughly two hours west of Lake Cowichan in Pacheedaht territory. It is home to some of the grandest old-growth rainforests in Canada. The area is jam-packed with thousands of monumental redcedars, especially in the spectacular “Castle Grove,” perhaps the most extensive stand of near record-sized cedars on Earth. Marbled murrelets, screech owls, Queen Charlotte goshawks, red-legged frogs, cougars, black bears, and elk live here, while steelhead and coho spawn in the rivers.
Camping in the old-growth along the river, swimming in the emerald pool and waterfalls, and gazing up at the stars silhouetted by ancient cedars are some of the amazing experiences one can have when visiting the valley.
Sadly, the Upper Walbran was left out of the parks deal when the BC government protected the Carmanah Valley and Lower Walbran in the 1990s. Since then, the rich upper valley has been turned into a virtual Swiss cheese by logging, fragmenting the spectacular old-growth forests.
Stumps up to 15 feet (4.5 metres) in diameter have been found in the sprawling clearcuts. The Upper Walbran has been at the heart of environmental battles for over three decades. Thankfully, as of 2024, the Central Walbran is under temporary logging deferral as local First Nations undertake land-use planning, allowing time to find a conservation solution for this spectacular place. Follow our Walbran campaign page for more information.
Take action by sending an instant message to protect old-growth forests.
Photography by TJ Watt.
