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Macbeth Icefield

Epic. That is the best word to describe the Macbeth Icefield trail. It’s incredibly epic, but also incredibly hard. The trail climbs through a valley of meadows and old growth forest to ascend past waterfalls to the massive wall of the Macbeth Icefield. It’s a long day with significant distance, elevation, and time, but a huge adventure for experienced hikers!

Summary
Trailhead: Glacier Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 15.5km
Elevation: +1209m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Challenging

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Monica Meadows

A panoramic landscape of meadows and mountains, waterfalls and wildflowers, larches and lakes!  Monica Meadows is an incredibly scenic hike on a high alpine plateau.

Summary
Trailhead: Glacier Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 10km
Elevation: +653m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate

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Alps Alturas

There is something captivating about a hike called Alps Alturas. The very name evokes adventure and wonder, and the trail lives up to it! This hike climbs through forest and meadow, wrapping around shoulders and canyons to bring you up into the height of the mountains.

Summary
Trailhead: Hicks Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 9.6km
Elevation: +640m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate

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Dennis Creek Trail

The Dennis Creek Trail leads you up to a spectacular vista of alpine peaks and wildflowers! The trail itself is short, but the options for further ridge-line wandering and exploration are endless!

Summary
Trailhead: Hicks Creek Road
Distance, round trip: 3.6km
Elevation: +360m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate

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Wakefield Trail – Idaho Peak

Do you think driving to the top of mountains is overrated? Do you really want to earn it? The Wakefield Trail gets you up to Idaho Peak using your own two feet. It’s a hard, steady climb that traces old mining routes to the top of Silver Ridge.

Summary
Trailhead: Silverton Creek FSR,
Distance, round trip: 14.2km
Elevation: +1000m
Season: late June to late September
Difficulty:  Difficult

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Brilliant Overlook

An incredibly scenic hike just outside Castlegar! It’s hard work stomping up that trail, but the panoramic views overlooking the Columbia River Valley are well worth it.

Summary
Trailhead: McPhee Forest Service Road
Distance, round trip: 6.5km
Elevation: +350m
Season: mid-April to late October
Difficulty:  Moderate

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Old Glory Mountain

You won’t be disappointed standing atop the highest peak in the Rossland Range. At 2377m, Old Glory towers above the visible world and offers spectacular views of the nearby Monashee mountains. Most of this hike is done up high, along alpine meadows and ridge lines, so your trek will be bordered by wildflowers and the hazy blue of distant horizons.

Summary
Trailhead: Highway 3B
Distance, round trip: 17km
Elevation: +1145m
Season: late June to late September
Difficulty:  Difficult

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Pulpit Rock & the Flagpole

April 2023 – The Pulpit Rock Trail has a recent rockslide and a new bypass has been built 1.0km up. Please use the new route and avoid the closed area.

Pulpit Rock is the most popular Nelson hike. Locals treat the trail like an outdoor gym and sometimes it feels like half the town is out hiking! The Pulpit trail offers a solid workout over switchbacks, ending in a scenic overlook of town. Hiking further to Flagpole rewards you with an even bigger panorama of the river valley – it’s worth the extra effort when you have the time!

Summary
Trailhead: Johnstone Road, Nelson
Distance, round trip: 3.6km to Pulpit Rock, 5.8km to Flagpole
Elevation: +338m to Pulpit Rock, +655m to Flagpole
Season: early April to early November
Difficulty:  Easy to Pulpit Rock,  Moderate to Flagpole
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