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.

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!

Plaid Lake is a beautiful hike with an optional extension to summit Mount Crawford for spectacular views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The elevation gain is the most challenging part of this hike as you ascend and descend twice to enter the lake. Mount Crawford is close to as high as Mount Loki and overlooks Loki and many other peaks in this area. On the way up, the ridgeline unveils glimpses of Kootenay Lake cloaking the land below.

The Mel DeAnna Trail Loop is a 5.3 km hiking route near Castlegar, BC, that loops through the forest to visit the shores of a marshy woodland lake. The trail features interpretive signs that provide information on the surrounding area, as well as a good variety of terrain that includes forested paths, rocky sections of trail, stairs, and wet areas of marsh around the lake. This family-friendly trail is suitable for hikers of almost every skill level and the interesting terrain will make it feel like a full-on adventure for anyone travelling with kids.

The Gibson Lake Loop Hike is a short 1.9 km hiking route in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park that travels around the peaceful shores of Gibson Lake and offers a scenic backdrop of rugged mountains. As the main access point for the park, this trail can become fairly busy, especially in the summer months, so make sure to arrive early to secure parking and enjoy the trail. The short distance and level terrain make this a great family-friendly route where you can explore the beauty of the park.

The trail to the Halfway Hot Springs is a short 1.6 km hiking route that descends through the forest to arrive at several relaxing thermal springs. While the trail isn’t long or overly difficult, it does feature a long series of stairs and a few steep sections of trail on the descent to the springs, which will restrict mobility for some hikers. If you are not planning to camp overnight and simply want to visit the hot springs, make sure to arrive early in order to beat the crowds.

Pulpit Rock is a 3.5 km out-and-back hiking route in Nelson, BC that climbs uphill through a serene forest of pine trees to reach a rocky bluff overlooking the city. Along the trail, you will be able to experience the peaceful forest setting and climb up a series of switchbacks before enjoying the sweeping views across the water, city, and surrounding mountains. This is a popular lookout, and parking is limited, so make sure to arrive early to beat the crowds.

The hike to Kokanee Lake is a 10.1 km out-and-back route in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park that will take you from the shores of Gibson Lake into the backcountry to visit the pristine waters of Kokanee Lake. This trail features a good variation in terrain that is made up of beautiful forested trails and scenic subalpine landscape. This is a perfect moderate hike for those looking to begin exploring the natural beauty of the park.

The Big White Mountain Peak Trail is a 2.3 km out-and-back hiking route that will take you up to the summit of the mountain for some spectacular views overlooking Rhonda Lake and the Big White Mountain Ecological Reserve. Due to the fairly easy terrain and short distance of this hike, this is a great option for families looking to get out into the mountains and experience the trails with young children. This hike is only accessible during the summer months when the resort is not being used for skiing.

The Pilot Bay Lighthouse Trail is a 0.6 km out-and-back hiking route in Pilot Bay Provincial Park that will briefly take you uphill to visit an historic lighthouse that was built in 1904. Along the hike you will be surrounded by a beautiful forest setting and have views stretching out over Kootenay Lake. This is a short family-friendly hike that is also suitable for those with historical interests.

The Arrow Mountain trail is a 13.4 km out-and-back hiking route in Creston, BC, that will take you on a steep route through the forest to the summit of the mountain. Although there aren’t any real views from the summit, hikers will be able to experience some nice views across the valley at different points along the trail. This is a steep hiking route, so remember to bring proper hiking footwear and plenty of water.

The Thompson Rim Trail is a 7.1 km out-and-back hiking route near Creston, BC, that will take you up a ridgeline to the summit of Mount Thompson for some scenic views over the Creston Valley and the neighbouring U.S. state of Idaho. Along the trail, you will experience a variety of terrain, including beautiful stretches of forest and exposed rocky sections on the way to the summit. Bring plenty of water, as there are few sources along the route.