Duncan, BC

Know the town

About Duncan

Duncan is the small city at the heart of the Cowichan Valley — the place the whole valley comes to shop, see the doctor, catch a game and meet friends for lunch. It covers only a couple of square kilometres, which makes it one of the smallest cities in Canada by area, but its reach is much wider: the farms, wineries and rural communities around it all treat downtown Duncan as their main street.

The City of Totems

Duncan's nickname comes from the carved poles that stand along its sidewalks, in its squares and beside the railway station. Many were carved by Coast Salish artists, and the collection keeps growing as new poles are raised and older ones are restored. The easiest way to see them is the self-guided totem walk: follow the painted yellow footprints on the sidewalk and they lead you from pole to pole through the downtown core in about an hour at an easy pace.

Saturday mornings

The Duncan Farmers' Market fills City Square and the streets beside it every Saturday, all year round. It is one of the busiest markets on the Island, with growers, bakers, cheesemakers and craftspeople from across the valley, and it is the best single place to taste what the “warm land” produces. Arrive early in summer; by late morning the crowds are shoulder to shoulder and the best berries are gone.

Around town

The old downtown keeps its brick storefronts, independent shops and cafés within a few blocks of the station, while the Trans-Canada Highway strip carries the bigger stores and services. The Cowichan River runs along the south edge of town, and the riverside trails and parks are a short walk from the centre. Just north of the city, the BC Forest Discovery Centre runs a heritage steam train through its grounds — a favourite with families.

Getting here

Duncan sits right on Highway 1, roughly an hour north of Victoria over the Malahat and about forty-five minutes south of Nanaimo, so it makes a natural base for exploring the valley. Cowichan Bay, Chemainus and the farm roads of Cobble Hill are all within a twenty-minute drive.

Below you’ll find Duncan’s verified local businesses — the restaurants, trades, shops and services that keep the valley’s hub running — and any upcoming events in town.

For council, permits, garbage and recycling, parks bookings and other local services, visit City of Duncan.