Waldie Island Trail is a Kootenay hiking adventure, exploring the north shore of the Columbia River, located in the community of Castlegar, BC, Canada. Established in 1996, the hiking and walking trail is part of a protected Blue Heron bird sanctuary known as the Waldie Island Heron Reserve.

The reserve protects Waldie Island, Breakwater Island, the wetland waterways and the Columbia River shoreline. Waldie Island is designated as a protected eco system important to the preservation of a Great Blue Heron summer nesting area and winter home.

The 1.5 kilometre walking trail follows a, mostly, earthy path (sometimes underwater depending on river water levels and seasons) with some raised boardwalk sections. The 1.5 kilometre trail extends from the Canadian Pacific Railway Bridge to Brilliant - following the Columbia River the whole way.

The hiking and walking trail is a "step-back-in-time" as it is marked with interpretive numbered posts and billboard signs with information about the areas eco system and history. The numbered posts are best understood with a trail map with explanations of each marker.

Some of the interpretive signs located on the trail point out things like the Mill Pond, Breakwater Island, a Beaver Dam and old artifacts. Some headlines posted on the information billboards include 'A Railroad from Nowhere to Nowhere", Whispers in the Wind", "Steamships on the Columbia", "Nature Takes Over" , "Sproat's Landing" and "Pioneers".

From the trail are some fantastic viewing areas of the river providing many birdwatching opportunities. The recreation hiking trail is also a dog friendly trail - great for walks - as long as dogs are kept on a leash as to not disturb the birding population.

How to Get to Waldie Island Trail

Travel to the community of Castlegar, BC. and continue driving north across the bridge connecting Castlegar with |Robson. Continue shortly and turn right onto Old Mill Road. Drive down the gravel road and under the train bridge to the parking lot. There is another trailhead entrance at the end of Brilliant Road.