New Denver and the Slocan Valley is a fantastic place to bike, offering both on-road and off-road riding for touring cyclists and beginner mountain bikers. Equipment rentals and guided tours are available in town.
Galena Trail
Dating back to the glory days of the Silvery Slocan, the Galena Trail follows the route of a railway line that once connected the silver mines of Sandon with sternwheeler service from Nakusp to the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) mainline at Revelstoke. The mountainous terrain is extreme – at one point the trail clings to a ledge along the side of a perilously steep canyon – but the grades are easy enough for beginners to cycle. One highlight along the trail is a cable car crossing of Carpenter Creek. The easiest way to access Galena Trail is to park at Three Forks and allow gravity to do the work. The trail ends down in the valley at Rosebury, 5km/3mi north of New Denver.
Slocan Valley Trail
Until 1993, the occasional train still ran some 50km/30mi along the Slocan River from South Slocan to Slocan City. Today, this abandoned rail line is set up for cycling in summer and for cross-country skiing in winter. Pick up the trail just north of Crescent Valley and ride traffic-free all day.
Silvery Slocan Cycle Tour
The 215km/134mi Silvery Slocan Cycle Tour circumnavigates Kokanee Glacier Park. The tour takes in the entire Slocan Valley, a section of the Kootenay River Valley, the west side of Kootenay Lake, and a manageable climb over the mountain pass between Kaslo and New Denver. Depending on the direction taken, there's also a long, winding ascent or descent south of Silverton. Overnight stops are possible in Nelson, Kaslo, and Ainsworth Hot Springs. Drop by the New Denver Visitor Centre for more information on cycling in the area.