nelsonmountainbiketrails
The Kootenay Rockies features miles of excellent road and back country trails for both casual and long-distance cyclists and adventure roadies, as well as easy-grade rail trails offering spectacular mountain views.
Tour the open road or follow a scenic trail through a provincial/national park boasting clear lakes, hanging glaciers and amazing wildlife. Pedal across high trestles along an abandoned rail bed, or head out on a loop that offers lakeside views. Cap off a cycling trip with a soothing soak in one of the region’s many natural mineral hot springs.
Adventurists looking for a challenge can tackle the Golden Triangle, the celebrated 300-km/186-mi bike trip that takes you from Golden and Radium Hot Springs, through three of Canada’s National Parks. This is essentially a week-long trip that loops through Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks; while those opting for a slower pace can pedal along the abandoned rail beds of the Great Northern and Slocan Valley rail trails.
Steep terrain rewards visitors with incredible views: Banff National Park's Lake Louise; Yoho National Park's spiral tunnels and fossil-rich Burgess Shale; and Kootenay National Park’s hanging glaciers and ochre-tinted Sinclair Canyon. Make sure to stop at Radium Hot Springs for a relaxing dip in the natural mineral pools before cycling the final leg.
Rail Trails - The 48-km/30-mi Great Northern Rail Trail stretches from Salmo to Nelson and is an easy, multi-use trail laid out along two rail beds with manageable grades. Cruise across brides and high trestles, pass roaring waterfalls and watch for wildlife. Stop at one of many viewpoints to admire views of the Kootenay and Salmo valleys and Kootenay Lake.
The Slocan Valley Rail Trail (Slocan City) - is an easy and flat 50-km/31-mi route, which follows an abandoned rail line winding through the Slocan Valley – a lush environment home to diverse wildlife, including bears, moose, elk, deer, eagles and herons. Hugging the Slocan River for much of the way, the trail offers views of rolling hills flanked by snow-capped mountains.
Road Touring - The Bombi Summit is a challenging 121-km/75-mi route connecting Castlegar, Nelson and Salmo via two scenic and relatively quiet highways. Cyclists can test their endurance on the 16-km/10-mi climb over Bombi Summit, or tackle it in a group ride in the annual Bombi Kootenay Team Pursuit (June).
Pedal the 87-km/54-mi Blueberry Paulson Loop from Castlegar and find the climb to 1,535m/5036ft rewarded with an easy coast downhill into the city of Rossland, before looping back through Trail to the starting point.
For those looking for a long leisurely ride, try the Lake Windermere Loop (Invermere), a 63-km/39-mi stretch of rolling hills that passes through ranch country, offering scenic views of Lake Windermere and the Rocky Mountains. A stop at Fairmont Hot Springs means cyclists can relax aching riding muscles.
Practical Points
* Bicycle helmets are mandatory in BC.
* Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers
• The best season for cycling is between May and October.
In cooperation with Tourism British Columbia www.hellobc.com