Hikes in West Kootenays

The Macbeth Icefield hike in the West Kootenays, is the best hike for those who are after a challenging day trip. You will venture through marsh land, forest, staircases, ridgelines and rock until you reach the epic Macbeth Icefield towering above you. Enjoy a narrow waterfall that can be seen for the last few hours of the hike. Rarely visited by tourists, it is a serene and peaceful place to view the vastness of the surrounding wilderness and immerse yourself among locals who have hiked this route for many years.

The Mount Loki hike is a classic West Kootenay Hike. Mount Loki is the highest peak seen from many points along the highway between Nelson and Kaslo, and it towers above its neighbouring mountain tops. Snow covered for most of the year, Mount Loki is conquered only in the height of summer and rewards hikers with unbelievable 360 degree views, far removed from the small towns you came from. From up here, Kootenay Lake is barely noticeable, it feels like you are on top of the world.

The Jumbo Pass hike is spectacular. Jumbo Pass, famous from Patagonia’s Jumbo Valley documentary and the indigenous history of the Northern Purcell Range, is one of the last remaining wild mountain ranges in B.C. On the hike to Jumbo Pass you can expect to see a stunning valley full of glaciers, meadows and mountain peaks. It is an extremely beautiful place to hike.

The Whitewater Canyon hike take you along the inside of the canyon wall, through a deep Selkirk valley, up through the meadows and finally reaching the alpine lakes. Grizzly bears are frequently spotted on the other side of the canyon and this is a beautiful hike to do during wildflower season in July. The lakes at the top of Whitewater Canyon are turquoise blue and green and you can often see ice caps even in the height of summer.

The Gwillim Lakes Hike is a beautiful hike with a large backcountry campsite located at the top. You can also hike past Gwillim Lakes and explore Lucifer Pass over a full weekend. Passing by many impressive lakes cradled by mountain peaks the whole way up, mirrored pools and flowers a plenty, the Gwillim Lakes hike is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Valhallas.

The Gimli Ridge hike is one of the shorter hikes in the Valhallas, but has beautiful views throughout. With stunning views of Mulvey Basin and a chance to explore the old forest, enjoy the view of Gimli Peak and you just may bump into a Mountain Goat (or two!). The Gimli Ridge hike is a hike not to be missed.

The Kokanee Glacier Cabin hike is a stunning hike in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. Starting at Gibson Lake, the hike to Kokanee Glacier Cabin is a beautiful way to explore the wilderness, not too far from the towns of Nelson or Kaslo.

Important Notice: The road leading to Idaho Peak trailhead is currently washed out by a mudslide and might take a long time to repair. Please check here for the up to date information.

The Idaho Peak hike is a relatively quick and easy walk along the ridgeline, through colourful wildflowers to an old fire lookout on the top of Idaho Peak. This classic local hike is not one to be missed! From the top of Idaho Peak you are rewarded with exceptional views of Slocan Lake and panoramic mountain ranges – you can see as far as Kokanee Glacier just outside of Nelson.

The Fry Creek Canyon hike is a great shoulder season hike through the impressive Fry Creek Canyon. The canyon itself is impressive and can be followed for as long as you like, although it was partly washed out in 2018. There are plenty of options to explore the beaches, forest and canyon on this hike and head off trail.

The Pulpit Rock hike, and the optional extension to the Flagpole, is a great hike when staying in Nelson. Getting to Pulpit Rock is an easy hike, however, the extra elevation to get to the Flagpole make this an intermediate hike. Pulpit rock offers a beautiful panoramic view of the town of Nelson and west arm of Kootenay Lake. If you make the extra trip to Flagpole you can see down the river towards Castlegar. Perfect for an afternoon trip all year round!