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Nelson, British Columbia

Top Spots in and near Nelson

  • Nelson, British Columbia

    Hike Pulpit Rock and Flagpole, BC

    3.5
    1.9 mi / 1000 ft gain
    This local trail starting from Johnstone Road is locally famous and really well maintained. Located off the other shore of Kootenay Lake, this hike reveals a beautiful view of the town of Nelson and the surrounding mountains.This trail is doable in all seasons and although it can be steep at some...
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  • Nelson, British Columbia

    Backcountry Ski at Powder Creek Lodge

    Ask most people about the mountains of eastern British Columbia and they'll likely think you mean the Canadian Rockies. But mention the Purcell Mountains and you're more than likely to get a blank stare back at you. And that's a good thing.The Purcell Mountains in British Columbia run parallel to...
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  • Nelson, British Columbia

    Sproule Creek Falls

    4.3
    Please note, the path to this waterfall crosses private property. The early portion of this trail passes through the Marsden Face Conservation Property, which is privately owned conservation land. Visitors to this property are asked to respect the ecological values of the property. Please follow ...
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  • Nelson, British Columbia

    Summit Toad Mountain

    3.8
    The hike up Toad Mountain provides a great view over Nelson and it's surrounding mountain peaks. From the summit, a 360 degree view gives you a great spot to look at the distant Valhallas, Kokanee Glacier, Purcells and lower Selkirks.The main challenge to hiking Toad Mountain is access. The road ...
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  • Nelson, British Columbia

    Ski Tour to the Summit of Half Dome

    Hiking to the summit of Half Dome is a rewarding backcountry ski trip that can be done with ease of access from Whitewater Ski Resort.After riding the Silver King Lift (no inbounds ascent on foot allowed), exit the resort through the backcountry gate to the right of the lift. Follow the trail out...
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  • Nelson, British Columbia

    Ski Whitewater Resort

    Whitewater is a short 20 minute drive from downtown Nelson. There are only 3 lifts here, but a surprising amount of terrain — most of which will satisfy even the strongest of skiers. Our favorite runs were the Trash Glades, accessed via a short traverse off the backside of the Motherlode Chair (a...
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  • Crawford Bay, British Columbia

    Hike the Pilot Bay Trail

    5.0
    4 mi / 200 ft gain
    Kootenay Lake is one of BC's biggest lakes at 104km long, and between 3-5km wide. At nearly 500ft deep, this lake stays cold all summer long with the most perfectly clear and clean water you can imagine. Hiking the Pilot Bay Trail is a great way to experience this incredible place.All of BC's inl...
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  • Central Kootenay H, British Columbia

    Hike to Gimli Ridge

    The hike to Gimli Ridge is one of only two hikes in the Valhallas that reach up to the alpine area. It provides stunning scenery of the surrounding range, and an intimate experience with the huge monolith that is Gimli Peak.The trail steadily climbs elevation. From the trailhead, Gimli seems dece...
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  • Ainsworth Hot Springs, British Columbia

    Hike to Silver Spray Cabin

    5.0
    Silver Spray Cabin is a beautiful cabin nestled high in the Alpine of Kokanee Provincial Park - a perfect spot to spend a clear summer night.The hike to the cabin is strenuous - there is no hiding that. 6km of pretty much straight uphill gets you from the valley bottom to the Alpine, where the hu...
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  • Central Kootenay H, British Columbia

    Hike to Gwillim Lakes

    5.0
    The trail to Gwillum Lakes is a must do when in the West Kootenay. It's iconic with the locals for being one of the best day hike or overnight camp trips in the region. A 6km hike through true wilderness rewards you with an alpine meadow dotted with small lakes perfect for swimming in and camping...
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  • New Denver, British Columbia

    Hike the Kaslo River Trail

    1.9 mi
    The trail begins at the end of Railway avenue near downtown. The trail passes through the red bridge above the river, where you may just see salmon in the stream if you're lucky!The trail has something for everyone. From the gushing icy river with a snow-capped mountain range in the distance, to ...
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  • Rossland, British Columbia

    Ski RED Mountain Resort

    There’s something delightfully old-school about RED. Show up, park where there’s room and get going from the pretty basic base area. Don’t stop skiing until your legs do. Highlights for us included Powderfields, Ledges, Captn Jacks, and Beer Belly — as well as the “Poochies Trees” off the Red Mou...
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  • Metaline Falls, Washington

    Backpack the Salmo-Priest Loop

    5.0
    19 mi
    To begin let me just say that this trail has some beautifully breathtaking moments. Also, I highly recommend spring to early summer if you enjoy wildflowers.Okay.. so ... Me, my dog Tolkien and my partner did this trail in two days. However we did see a group of people that completed it in one da...
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  • New Denver, British Columbia

    Hike to Lyle Lakes, BC

    3.7 mi / 2132.5 ft gain
    The Lyle Lakes hike starts with the access - as most do in the Kootenays it requires finding the trailhead! Turn off HWY 31A onto Rossiter Road, about 24km's from Kaslo and 23Km from New Denver. Here, follow the main route on the forestry roads for 7km to the trailhead, noting to bear left at 5.9...
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  • Metaline Falls, Washington

    Hike along Sullivan Lake

    8.2 mi / 250 ft gain
    Drive north on SR 31 almost to Ione, Washington and turn right on Sullivan Lake Road. Follow the road around the lake to the East Sullivan Lake campground. We had to park outside the campground because of construction and walk to the trailhead.From the marked trailhead, hike through the 0.6 nat...
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  • Metaline Falls, Washington

    Snowshoe Sullivan Lake

    8 mi
    Begin this hike at the trailhead to the nature trail at East Sullivan Lake Campground just 14 miles from Ione, Washington. Take a right at the first fork and continue on through the cedar forest until you reach a viewpoint above the lake at 0.5 mile. The next 3.5 miles wind through a pine, larch,...
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Top Activities

Camping and Lodging in Nelson

West Sullivan
Metaline Falls, Washington

West Sullivan

East Sullivan
Metaline Falls, Washington

East Sullivan

Shorty Peak Lookout
Bonners Ferry, Idaho

Shorty Peak Lookout

Noisy Creek
Cusick, Washington

Noisy Creek

Guides, Insights and Stories from Nelson

A Few Days in Rossland, BC - A Must-Stop on the Powder Highway

A Few Days in Rossland, BC - A Must-Stop on the Powder Highway

Kyle Frost