The trails around Ymir form a scenic loop with something for everyone: old growth forest, riverside hiking, a waterfall, a visit to the historic cemetery, and of course the bakery!
Easy
The Mel DeAnna trail is a forested loop around the tranquil Champion Ponds. It’s a great shoulder-season hike with fall colours, Columbia Valley views, and plenty of birdwatching on the ponds.
SUMMARY
Trailhead: Highway 3
Distance, round trip: 5.8km
Elevation: +122m
Difficulty: A1
The Merry Go Round trail winds high through the forest to a clearcut view of the Columbia River Valley. The trail builders created some impressive bridges and boardwalks, making this easy trail feel like a proper adventure! This trailhead is right beside the Merry Creek Trails, giving you two great hikes for one day!
SUMMARY
Trailhead: Merry Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 4.7km
Elevation: +232m
Difficulty: A1
The Merry Creek Trails are easy, scenic hiking just outside of Castlegar. The trails meander over soft forest floor and explore interesting landmarks, with a big view of the Columbia River Valley at the far end!
SUMMARY
Trailhead: Merry Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 5.1km
Elevation: +82m
Difficulty: A1
The Kaslo Viewpoint trail is short, sweet, and steep! It winds up along a pleasant forest path to a scenic bench overlooking Kaslo, Kootenay Lake, and the towering Purcell Mountains.
SUMMARY
Trailhead: Wardner St, Kaslo
Distance, round trip: 1.82km
Elevation: +178m
Difficulty: A1
Just outside of Kaslo, Fletcher Creek drops into an impressive waterfall as it flows into Kootenay Lake. It’s a quick, scenic hike down to the falls, and Fletcher Creek also offers a picnic area and backcountry camping.
SUMMARY
Trailhead: Fletcher Creek Frontage Rd
Distance, Round Trip: 1.1km
Elevation: +50m
Difficulty: A1
A short, winding loop through a scenic old growth cedar grove! Some of the trees are hundreds of years old and tower up to impressive heights – it’s worth the 30 minute stop to go check out this trail!
SUMMARY
Trailhead: Highway 31A
Distance, round trip: 1 km
Elevation: +25m
Difficulty: A1
The Beatrice Lake Trail offers steady hiking through forests and wetlands as it traces an old mining road, following a chain of lakes through Valhalla Provincial Park. There are several backcountry campgrounds along the way at Emerald and Cahill Lakes until the trail finally ends at distant Beatrice Lake.
SUMMARY
Trailhead: Evans Creek (accessible by boat or hike)
Distance, round trip: 12km to Cahill Lake (east shore), 18km to Beatrice Lake
Elevation: +715m to Cahill lake (east shore), +930m to Beatrice Lake
Difficulty: C1
The Deer Point Trail is an incredibly scenic hike that traces the high bluffs above Christina Lake. The trail is smoothly graded and winds through ponderosa forest, opening up to big views of the lakeshore below.
Trailhead: East Shore Road, Texas Creek Provincial Park
Map: Gladstone Provincial Park
Distance, Round Trip: 13.8km
Elevation: +336m
Difficulty: A1
The Montrose Antenna Trail is a short shoulder-season hike with scenic views of the Columbia River Valley. The trail network includes options to make a smaller loop on the Antenna Trail or to climb higher on the Flagpole Trail extension.
SUMMARY
Trailhead: 5th St, Village of Montrose
Distance, Round Trip: 3.2km (Antenna Loop) or 5.1km (Flagpole Trail & traverse)
Elevation: +217m (Antenna Loop) or +307m (Flagpole Trail)
Difficulty: A1
