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Blue Grouse Basin

A magical alpine meadow, surrounded by a cirque of peaks on the edge of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. With opportunity to either picnic or peak-bag, this trail gets you to the alpine and lets you chose your own adventure from there.

Summary
Trailhead:  Enterprise FSR
Distance, round trip: 10.2km
Elevation: +743m
Season: mid July to late September
Difficulty: Moderate
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Mount Beattie

Sometimes you just need a moderate hike with a moderate view. Mount Beattie is like that. It’s a forested ridge line, tucked away in the Whitewater backcountry. Beattie’s treed summits are uneventful, but sometimes the journey is more important than the destination. And a day out in the mountains is never a day wasted.

Summary
Trailhead: Whitewater Ski Hill Road
Distance, round trip: 11.2km
Elevation: +499m
Season: late June to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate
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Red Mountain (Bonningtons)

“Red Mountain” seems to be a pretty common name in the Koots. There’s a few of them! But this one is the neighbour of Toad Mountain in the Bonnington Range above Nelson. It has the characteristic red rock, but also offers great hiking off the beaten path.

Summary
Trailhead: Giveout Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 9.2km
Elevation: +491m
Season: early July to late September
Difficulty: Moderate

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Mount Reco Loop

One of the best ridgeline hikes in the Kootenays! Hiking a loop around Mount Reco will bring you through alpine meadows surrounded by peaks. With the option to bag Reco’s summit, this is a great day in the mountains.

Summary
Trailhead: Stenson Creek FSR
Distance, round trip: 9.9km
Elevation: +680m
Season: mid-July to late September
Difficulty: Moderate
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Record Ridge

Welcome to the scenic, southern end of the Seven Summits Trail. Record Ridge makes a great out-and-back to explore the high grasslands.

Summary
Trailhead:  Old Rossland Cascade Highway
Distance, round trip: 10.2km
Elevation: +350m
Season: late May to late October
Difficulty: Moderate
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Delaurentiis Bluffs

A scenic overlook trail above Salmo! The Delaurentiis Bluffs trail provides both exercise and inspiration as it climbs high to a series of viewpoints above the valley.

Summary
Trailhead: Delaurentiis Road
Distance, round trip: 5.6km
Elevation: +487m
Season: mid-April to early November
Difficulty: Moderate
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Proctologist

A loop of old roads and bike trails, climbing through the forest to a series of lookouts over Kootenay Lake. Enjoy the shade and watch out for mountain bikes.

Summary
Trailhead: Lexington Ave, Proctor
Distance, round trip: 8km
Elevation: 381m
Season: April to November
Difficulty: Easy 
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Slocan Pools

An easy river-side stroll through the forest. The Slocan Pools trail offers gentle walking and beautiful views out over the Kootenay River.

Summary
Trailhead: West Kootenay Road
Distance, round trip: 4.5km
Elevation: 50m
Season: April to November
Difficulty: Easy 
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Summit Trail – Whitewater Ski Resort

Yes, you can hike ALL OF THE SUMMITS! Or at least as many as you want. This new trail zig zags up Whitewater Ski Resort to access several peaks on the “summit side” of the hill.

Summary
Trailhead: Whitewater Ski Hill Road
Distance, round trip: 9.5km (to Hummingbird Peak)
Elevation: +521m (to Hummingbird Peak)
Season: late June to late September
Difficulty:  Moderate
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Gilpin Grasslands

The landscape changes dramatically between Christina Lake and Grand Forks. You round a corner on Highway 3 and suddenly forest gives way to grassy slopes, full of dramatic pines and boulders. If you’ve ever gazed longingly at the hills and wondered if there is a hiking trail, well yes! Yes there is!

Summary
Trailhead: Gilpin FSR
Distance, round trip: 8km
Elevation: +100m
Season: March to November
Difficulty: Easy 
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