Hiking and backpacking in the Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada is an opportunity to explore mountain ranges, mighty rivers, alpine meadows and lake shorelines. Kootenay day hikes and overnight backpacking adventures provide some of the best opportunities to view the region on a grand scale.
The selection of trails accessed from many of the Kootenay communities consists of community trails, wilderness day trails and backpacking multi-day trails. Community trails, often, are a mixture of paved and gravel trails lined with benches and gardens, connecting to parks and downtowns. Community trails tend to be multi use routes following the shores of community lakes and/or banks of rivers therefore connecting portions of a community together. Some communities, have taken a step further, and have done a great job at developing an entire network of community trails encouraging healthy activity and green transportation like biking and walking.
Wilderness day hikes on the other hand explore the wilderness regions located on the outskirts of a community and beyond. Wilderness day hikes provide a great opportunity to view nature first hand in the Kootenays. Day hikes vary in ability. There are easy, moderate and advanced day hikes. Some start by following old access roads, spur roads, deactivated forest roads or historic wagon roads before connecting to a hiking trail. Most day hikes begin from a trailhead following an earthy, gravel, rock or sand trail. Day hikes can be one way adventures or loop routes. They can take as long as 2 to 8 hours to complete depending on your fitness level and the distance of the trail. Most day hikes are well signed. Some have pit toilets and information billboards with trail maps at their trailheads.
Backpacking adventures in the Kootenay region are plentiful. Many backpacking trails cover long distances, explore over rugged terrain and require over night camping in wilderness campsites. Backpacking trails tend to be well signed, equipped with designated campsites and left in a more natural state. Backpacking trails follow all sorts of difficult terrain, elevation changes and weather conditions. Backpacking trails require proper preparation, good equipment and good fitness levels. Wildlife is in the area so be aware and be smart. All backpacking trails require you to pack out what you pack it - leave no trace behind.
There are a good selection of trails available in the Kootenay region of British Columbia providing many opportunities to hike to lookout towers, viewpoints, viewing benches, mountain peaks, spawning channels, remote alpine lakes, caves, historic sites, information shelters, wilderness campsites, wildlife reserves, hot springs and much more.
