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Ross Lake

Ross Lake is a short hike near Balfour, BC. The trail leads to a quiet sub-alpine lake with fishing and backcountry camping opportunities. It’s a great location for new hikers.

Summary
Trailhead: Redfish Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 3.5km
Elevation: +238m
Season: late June to early October
Difficulty: Moderate

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Vallelujah

Vallelujah is a mountain biking trail that wanders high on a ridge between the Slocan and Kootenay River valleys. Hiking the trail takes you winding through an old clearcut with stellar views of the Valhallas and Bonnington Range peaks. The hike is short and sweet and friendly to new hikers.

Summary
Trailhead: Smallwood FSR
Distance, round trip: 6.4km
Elevation: +150m
Season: early June to early October
Difficulty:  Easy

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Beatrice Lake Trail

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
Season: early June to late October
Difficulty:  Difficult

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White Queen (via SilverKing Ridge)

White Queen is a scenic off-trail hike just outside of Nelson, BC. Starting at Whitewater Ski Resort, the route crosses familiar ski terrain before ascending to a stunning ridge-line ramble with big views of Ymir Peak and surrounding country. At the summit of White Queen, you can see Kokanee and the Valhallas, and many distant mountains fading to overlapping shades of blue.

Summary
Trailhead: Whitewater Ski Resort, Whitewater Road
Distance, round trip: 9.4km
Elevation: +666m
Season: mid-June to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate

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Mount Grohman

Mount Grohman is a stunning ridge-line hike near Nelson, BC. Most of this hike is done off-trail, but the access road starts you way up in the alpine and the route is surrounded by prominent peaks and landmarks. You’ll see Gray’s and Esmeralda Peaks in Kokanee Glacier Park, the Bonnington Range peaks, the Valhallas, Old Glory Mountain, distant Mount Loki, the West Arm of Kootenay Lake and more!

Summary
Trailhead: Baldface Lodge, Grohman FSR
Distance, round trip: 8km
Elevation: +617m
Season: mid-June to early October
Difficulty:  Difficult

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Christina Lake – Deer Point Trail

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.

Summary
Trailhead: East Shore Road, Texas Creek Provincial Park
Distance, round trip: 13.8km
Elevation: +336m
Season: early April to early November
Difficulty:  Easy

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Mount Crawford & Plaid Lake Trail

Shimmering with colourful quartzite, Mount Crawford dazzles hikers along the Plaid Lake Trail. With scenic alpine ridges, flowering meadows, a quick summit, and the eventual dip down to Plaid Lake, this is an amazing trail with something for everyone!

Summary
Trailhead: Plaid Lake Road
Distance, round trip: 9.7km
Elevation: +890m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Difficult

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Mount Loki

In Norse mythology, Loki is a deceptive trickster, causing trouble and strife among the realms of the gods. And Mount Loki is no different. With false summits, an intimidating profile, and a fierce ascent, Mount Loki challenges hikers to make it to the summit. The reward is top-of-the-world views of the Purcell Mountains and distant Kootenay Lake.

Summary
Trailhead: Portman Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 11.6km
Elevation: +1137m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Challenging 

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Kokanee Lake Trail

The Kokanee Lake Trail is the main access into beautiful Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. The trail starts in the forest at Gibson Lake and winds up to the sub-alpine realm of meadows, lakes, waterfalls and marmots. Kokanee Glacier Park is great place to spend a weekend, wandering among mountains and meadows.

Summary
Trailhead: Kokanee Glacier Road
Distance, One Way: 8.8km (to campground), 9.5km (to cabin)
Elevation: +578m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate

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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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