From full-speed gravity grinds to gentle wilderness rides, the Kootenay Rockies is a cycling haven. Tour the open road, or follow a scenic trail passing clear lakes, hanging glaciers, and amazing wildlife. At cycle's end, sooth aching muscles in one of the region's numerous natural mineral hot springs. Operators in the area offer cycling tour packages, and local bike shops provide trail maps and information. Several resorts also feature chairlift service to alpine trails during the summer season.
Easy Trails
Advanced Trails
- The Golden Triangle: The route is steep in places but the views are worth the effort as it winds through three of Canada's national parks.
Learn more about Golden Triangle
Practical Points and Cycling Safety
> Bicycle helmets are mandatory in BC
> Lights required at night
> Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers
> Obey posted signs and keep to designated trails
The 13km/8mi historic Galena Trail runs from Rosebery, north of New Denver, east to Three Forks along the rail bed of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Enjoy a smooth ride on this wide, hard-packed trail. Highlights include abandoned mines, views of Slocan Lake and Carpenter Creek, and three diverse vegetation zones: dry rocky soil at the lake, moist trails around Denver Canyon, and cool glacial air at Alamo Siding. Make the crossing by cable car at Carpenter Creek. The Galena Trail can be accessed from Rosebery, at Denver Siding Road in New Denver, and at the turnoff to Sandon on Hwy 31A.
Attributes
- Rated: easy
- Approximate time required: 2-3 hours each way
- Open: May - November (weather dependent)
The Great Northern Rail Trail is built on the beds of two old rail lines, constructed between 1891 and 1893 to transport silver from a mine on Toad Mountain. Today this multi-use trail, which focuses on hiking, cycling, and equestrian users, runs through rugged, mountainous terrain at a grade that never exceeds 2.4%. It passes over bridges, pile trestles, frame trestles, and an S-curve frame trestle. The scenery is made up of mountains, lakes, creeks, marshes, and lots of shady forest. Highlights of the route include numerous waterfalls, as well as viewpoints overlooking the Kootenay River, the west arm of Kootenay Lake, the city of Nelson and the Kootenay Valley. There are 14 bridges and trestles along the route, half of which have been fully decked and railed. The southern end of the trail starts in Salmo, where many of the buildings date from the 1930s. Running alongside the Salmo River, it climbs gently through the Salmo River Valley for 30km/19mi until it reaches Apex. From there it descends at a slightly steeper grade for 18km/11mi until it ends at Troup, on the edge of Kootenay Lake. The descending portion passes Cottonwood Lake Regional Park, pathways into the city of Nelson, and trails and old rail beds that lead to sandy beaches. The trail is well marked with signs posted every 2km/1.2mi along its entire length.
Salmo is located at the junction of Hwy 3 and 6, approximately 30min from the communities of Castlegar, Nelson, and Trail. The trail is open year round, but the best weather occurs from May through October.
Attributes
- Level of difficulty: easy
- Length: 48km/30mi
- Time required: 1 day each way
- Surface: gravel
The Slocan Valley Rail Trail was built on the bed of an old, 1897 rail line, originally used to transport ore from the Kootenays to smelters in Canadian and American cities. The trail winds through the Slocan Valley, a lush, environmentally sensitive area that sustains many animal species. Watch for Grizzly and Black bear, Moose, Elk, deer and Cougar. Avian inhabitants include Bald Eagles, Osprey, swans, geese, ducks and Herons. Beyond the trail, in every direction, are rolling hills banked by mountains. The northern end of the trail begins in Slocan City and ends in Slocan Junction, running along the incredibly beautiful Slocan River much of the way. The ride is very flat with a maximum grade of 0.3%. Portions of the trail running alongside Hwy 6 have access points for the communities of Winlaw, Passmore, Slocan Park and Crescent Valley.
Slocan is a 20min drive south from New Denver via Hwy 6. The trail is open year round, but some sections are snow covered (and ungroomed) in winter.
Attributes
- Level of difficulty: easy
- Length: 50km/31mi
- Time required: 1 day each way
- Surface: gravel
Hundreds of cyclists each year ride the celebrated Golden Triangle, winding through three of Canada's national parks. The route follows the Rocky Mountain Trench between Golden and Radium Hot Springs, twice crossing the Continental Divide. Highlights along the way include Banff National Park's Lake Louise, as well as Yoho National Park's Spiral (Railway)Tunnels, Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake, and Burgess Shale. Kootenay National Park is noted for its hanging glaciers, breathtaking summits, and Sinclair Canyon, gateway to the natural mineral pools of Radium Hot Springs.
Expect steep hills along this 300km/186mi route, although most of the highways are well graded and have good shoulders.
The Golden Triangle begins on Hwy 95, between the towns of Golden and Radium Hot Springs.
Attributes
- Rated: difficult
- Approximate time required: 3 days
- Best time: June - October (weather dependent)