Peter Roulston Trail
A gentle hike following an old road. The Peter Roulston Trail crosses several creeks as it contours through the forest. It’s not the most exciting trail, but an easy, flat option for biking or a gentle stroll. Come in the winter for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing!
Distance, round trip: 13.6 km
Elevation: +100 m
Time: 3-4 hours (round trip)
Season: mid-April to late-November
Difficulty:
EasyTrailhead & Driving Directions
From Nakusp, drive 2.4 km north on Highway 23 and then turn right onto Nakusp Hot Springs Road. Reset your odometer.
- Lower Trailhead: at 6.7km, pull over the right and park off the road, across from the gravel pit. The trailhead and parking are both signed, but easy to miss.
- Upper Trailhead: at 10.7km, fork left and leave the main road. Ascend a couple of switchbacks and then reach the signed trailhead at 11.4km. This gravel road is suitable for 2WD low clearance vehicles.
Up the trail
Starting from the lower trailhead, cross the road and ascend the steep path to the gravel pit. Immediately turn right (east) and look for the signed post guiding you to the start of the old road. The road heads into the woods and crosses Dinner Creek shortly after.
At 0.5km, just after the Dinner Creek crossing stay left at a junction. The old road levels off for a long stretch of flat walking.
Gardner Creek
Cross Gardner Creek at 2.5km and look for the kiosk signs sharing the history of Peter Roulston. A nice bench by the creek offers a half-way rest stop.
Cross another creek around 4.3km and then reach the end of the trail at the upper trailhead after 5.8km. We turned back after the Gardner Creek crossing and just hiked the lower end of the trail.
If you’re visiting the hot springs, be sure to stop at Gardner Creek Waterfall on the drive home. The waterfall is found just 3.5 km from the Hot Springs on the main Hot Springs Road, look for the parking pullouts on either side of the creek. You don’t see this view from the Peter Roulston trail as you cross much higher upstream.
