History
The Denman Island Cross-Island Trail was first imagined through the collaboration of the DIRA Parks and Trails Committees and the Comox Valley Regional District in 2011. The Denman Island Parks and Greenways Master Plan document outlined this new linear, roadside trail which would connect the Denman West ferry terminal to the Gravelly Bay ferry terminal. The Denman Cross Island Trail would also link up with various other trail networks on Denman Island including the Central Park trails and Boyle Point Provincial Park.
After the Denman Island Parks and Greenways Master Plan document was complete the trail design and proposed priority sections were presented to Denman residents for feedback at a community open house in 2013.
As subsequent sections of the Denman Cross-Island Trail were planned and constructed other on-island open houses were organized including in 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2023. Open houses provided the community an opportunity to see an outline of past sections completed and to provide feedback on alignment and priority for future sections.
Information
The newest section of the Denman Cross-Island Trail, between Owl Crescent and the Gravelly Bay Ferry Terminal, is now complete and open. This 3.5 km section was completed in May 2026. The CVRD also completed a small section of trail in the Denman Island downtown hub in 2025. This 250 meter section connected the trail and stairs that lead to the Denman West Ferry Terminal with the section of trail starting in front of the Denman Arts Centre.
The Denman Cross Island Trail now consists of 9 km of completed trail with the only gaps being the big hill on Denman Road and the segment between Corrigal Rd and Owl Crescent.
The long term goal will be to have a continuous trail from the Denman West ferry terminal all the way to the Gravelly Bay ferry terminal
Location
Denman Island
Next steps
Some early stage planning has begun on the Corrigal Rd. to Owl Crescent section. The Big Hill segment is currently under review by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit.
Learn more about the Denman Cross Island Trail Project below.