Hiking
Two hikers admiring the views (Picture BC photo)
The varied terrain and ecological diversity of the Kootenay Rockies region provides incredible hiking opportunities for enthusiasts of all experience and ability levels.
Hikers experience spectacular mountain views, wildflower alpine meadows, old-growth forests, wild rivers, and thunderous waterfalls, while traversing the unspoiled wilderness of southeastern British Columbia.
Hikes in the Kootenay Rockies region range from short interpretive walks, with easy roadside access, to major multi-day backcountry treks. Many hiking trails are located in national or provincial parks, which often offer excellent campsites and facilities.
Additionally, hiking trails are found in virtually every community throughout the region, such as Rossland, named one of "10 Great Adventure Towns" by National Geographic Adventure, one of "Canada's Best Outdoor Towns" by Explore. The Kootenay Rockies are also known for its epic rock climbing, mountaineering and mountain biking.
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Guided Hiking Tours and Heli-Hiking
A number of hiking tours throughout the Kootenay Rockies operate scheduled guided-tours, including heli-hiking options. Knowledgeable heli-hiking guides provide various options suited to the experience and ability levels of hikers, from gentle strolls to high-peak multi-day adventures, with lodge accommodation.
Chairlift Accessed Trails
Chairlift accessed trails provide hikers of varying ability levels opportunity to explore diverse alpine terrain. Panorama Mountain Village features 23 trails in total, with a 380m/1,254ft of vertical, while Kicking Horse Mountain Resort offers 27 beginner-expert trails. Chairlift access is also available to trails at Fernie Alpine Resort and Kimberley Alpine Resort. Chairlift accessed trails are open approximately June-August/September.
National/Provincial Parks
The Kootenay Rockies region is home to four national parks (Glacier National Park, Kootenay National Park, Mount Revelstoke National Park, and Yoho National Park) each featuring extensive trail networks. Kootenay National Park, near Radium Hot Springs, is home to the classic Rockwall Trail, a series of trail loops hikers can customize for multi-day journeys. The Lake O'Hara area of Yoho National Park features beautiful wilderness terrain. An extensive and varied network of trails provides plenty of opportunity for day hikes. Camp overnight and explore a new trail each day.
Provincial parks, such as Valhalla Provincial Park, Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park, and Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park in the region also offer trail networks that feature incredible access to pristine wilderness and amazing wildlife.
Community Trails
Numerous community trails, often suitable for both hiking and mountain biking, complement the vast network of national and provincial park trails throughout the Kootenay Rockies region. The community of Castlegar, and the Silvery Slocan area, comprising New Denver, Sandon, and Slocan Lake, feature abandoned rail grade trails, great for exploring the rich railroad and mining heritage of the area. Galena Trail in the Slocan Valley, with bridges, trail signage, and a cable-car ride over Carpenter Creek is perfect for families.
Trails in Cranbrook, Fernie, Golden, and Kimberley are amazing for wilderness and wildlife viewing. Take Cranbrook's trails through the grassy meadows surrounding the Akali Lakes further into stands of pine and larch, and pockets of lush vegetation. In Fernie, follow leisurely trails with interpretive signage through the Educational Forest. Canyon Creek Trail in Golden features a 30km/19mi return loop, located near a spectacular 152m/500ft canyon, while multi-use trails at Kimberley Nature Park criss-cross forested hillsides linking to small ponds and panoramic viewpoints.
Practical Points and Hiking Safety
Parts of the region's wilderness are rugged and remote. Even trails at the edge of towns and cities, and in parks areas should be treated as serious backcountry. Hikers should prepare and plan for varied terrain and weather conditions with appropriate footwear and clothing. Adequate water and food supplies are essential.
Remember the following:
- Weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains. Lightening storms and snow storms can happen at high elevations any time of year (even in summer).
- Dress in layers and bring wet-weather gear, regardless of the season.
- Even the most popular, well-maintained trails can be rocky, tangled with roots, muddy, and slippery. Wear hiking boots with good ankle and arch support, and be prepared to get muddy. At higher elevations, snow and mud may linger on trails until late June or even early July. Prepare accordingly.
- Please leave the area you visit undisturbed and be sure to carry out your garbage.
- Cougars, bears, and other wildlife inhabit the region. Never approach or attempt to feed wild animals.
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18 Hiking in Kootenay Rockies
1 - 10 of 18 Results
1
Websitehttp://www.cmhsummer.com
Toll-free800-661-0252
Phone403-762-7100
Get off the beaten path & go where no one else can. CMH Summer Adventures offers 3-6 day lodge-based guided hiking, walking & ambling adventures in the rarely-visited ranges of the Canadian Rockies of eastern British Columbia. Based from luxurious remote mountain lodges, daily helicopter flights take you to otherwise inaccessible alpine lakes, mountain ridges & ancient glaciers to explore at your own pace in the company of professional mountain guides. Come for the mountaineering, via ferrate, walking tours or zip lining while enjoying the trademark hospitality of CMH - Canada's oldest adventure tourism company.
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2
1500 Kicking Horse Trail
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, British Columbia
V0A 1H0
Websitehttp://www.kickinghorseresort.com
Toll-free866-SKI-KICK
Phone250-439-5425
Kicking Horse is known for spectacular summer adventure and kids under 12 are free. Visit our Grizzly Bear Refuge, home to Boo, our resident grizzly - a conservation, education and research centre, and Canada's largest enclosed and protected grizzly habitat. Challenge the downhill mountain bike trails in the bike park and hike the alpine mountain paths on weekly Rambler's Hikes. Enjoy lunch with a one of a kind view at Eagle's Eye Restaurant. Mountain biking, horseback riding, river rafting, hiking, dining, sightseeing, interpretive bear programs, - it's not 'what to do?', it's 'what to do first!'
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3
Helicopter Access Only
Golden, British Columbia
V0A 1H0
Websitehttp://www.MistayaLodge.com
Toll-free866-647-8292
Phone250-344-6689
Located in the Canadian Rockies between Banff & Yoho National Parks. Mistaya is an eco-friendly wilderness adventure destination. The secluded, cosy lodge is surrounded by a panorama of pristine peaks, glaciers & alpine meadows. Activities include hiking, skiing, snowshoeing & mountaineering at all levels. Or just relax in the beauty & peace; it's an artist & photographer's paradise. Families are encouraged to come, learn & explore. Certified guides will lead you on informative hikes while the cook prepares a wonderful meal. Helicopter access only, small groups & superb food. Memories for a lifetime.
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4
37977 Fourth Ave
Squamish, British Columbia
V8B 0B2
Websitehttp://www.seatoskyexpeditions.com
Toll-free800-990-8735
Phone604-815-4202
Sea to Sky Expeditions has been providing quality wilderness experiences since 1988. We offer a wide variety of activities & locations throughout BC. We are British Columbia's hiking experts, come join us on the West Coast Trail or take in a stunning mountain vista. Sea kayak in Johnstone Strait with the orcas or paddle a canoe through the world-class Bowron Lakes circuit. Amazing scenery, great food, certified guides & new friends await! No previous experience required.
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Other businesses with Hiking
5
201 Kicking Horse Ave
Field, British Columbia
V0A 1G0
Websitehttp://www.burgess-shale.bc.ca
Toll-free800-343-3006
Phone250-343-6006
In 1909 Charles Walcott discovered one of the most important fossil locations in the world, the Burgess Shale, in Yoho National Park, providing an amazing window into what the world looked like half-a-billion years ago.
It is not possible to visit the fossil sites on your own! They are protected sites within the Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, and can only be visited with licensed guides.
New for Summer 2012: Geo-Walk: 1.5 hour presentation & 15 minute geo-walk. Participate in a journey of discovery & view the Burgess Shale fossil collection.
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6
Websitehttp://www.canadianmountainholidays.com
Toll-free800-661-0252
Phone403-762-7100
CMH Heli-Skiing is one of the world's most comprehensive & spectacular wilderness skiing experiences. Our 11 distinct ski areas in the remote mountains of British Columbia cover 15,765 sq km, more than 1/3 the area of Switzerland. In addition to our traditional heli-ski weeks (7 day trips), we offer several 3, 4 & 5 day Heli-Skiing, Heli-Boarding trips at a variety of lodges throughout the season, including the Bugaboo Mountains, Cariboo Range, Badshot Range of the Selkirks, the Monashees & many more. See our website for trip inclusions, photos of our amazing lodges & all other details.
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7
1760 West Creston Rd
Creston, British Columbia
V0B 1G0
Websitehttp://www.crestonwildlife.ca
Toll-free
Phone250-402-6908
The Wildlife Area is an impressive 6,800 ha (17,000 ac) Ramsar designated wetland habitat located 11 km west of Creston off Hwy 3. From May to October, naturalists are on-site at the Interpretation Centre to provide guided canoe & walking tours (May - August), trail maps & information. Easy 24/7 access to 32 km of dyke trails & 2 viewing towers allows you a chance to view some of the close to 400 species of wildlife sighted in the area. Hiking, biking, bird watching, wildlife viewing, canoeing & fishing are some of the ways to enjoy the amazing scenery of the wetland.
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8
Three Valley Gap
Revelstoke, British Columbia
V0E 2S1
Websitehttp://www.glacierhelicopters.ca
Toll-free800-316-7790
Phone250-837-9569
Experience a helicopter flight around Three Valley Lake; $49 per seat. Enjoy the Monashee Mountain Tour where after liftoff, you will fly north climbing up to 3,048 m (10,000 ft) with a spectacular view of the Monashee mountain range. You will pass over numerous glaciers, rugged mountain peaks, high alpine meadows & lakes. The route will then take you back to Three Valley, parallelling the Upper Arrow Lakes & more glaciers; 30 mins; $195 per seat. Heli-hiking tours available.
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9
80 Km West Of Golden
Golden, British Columbia
V0A 1H0
Websitehttp://www.parkscanada.gc.ca/glacier
Toll-free
Phone250-837-7500
Once seen as a rugged, inaccessible place where only the wild spirited and adventurous would dare enter, Glacier National Park is home to some of Canada's most fascinating transportation & mountaineering stories. Backcountry enthusiasts can enjoy Glacier's challenging peaks & deep snow while those looking for a more relaxing experience can take a leisurely stroll along the many short trails. Visitors are invited to 'try on some history' as they pose in a new interpretive sculpture/exhibit celebrating over a century of women's 'skirtless' mountaineering at the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre.
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10
Kootenay National Park
Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia
V0A 1M0
Websitehttp://www.pc.gc.ca/kootenay
Toll-free
Phone250-347-9505
Kootenay National Park's rich landscape ranges from glacier-clad peaks along the continental divide to the semi-arid grasslands of the Columbia Valley. Relax and soak in history at the famous Radium Hot Springs Pools. Take an afternoon stroll on the Redstreak Restoration Interpretive Trail or discover why Olive Lake has been a traditional stopping place for travellers on a self-guided interpretive walk. Marvel at the dramatic colours, sights and sounds found in Marble Canyon as you crisscross the narrow gorge into the heart of a recent wildfire. Watch the 'slow fireworks' of wild flowers along the Stanley Glacier Trail.
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