Nelson, BC : Old Growth Hiking Trail
Kootenays, British Columbia, Canada

Old Growth Hiking Trail is a wilderness loop trail exploring giant, ancient cedar forests along the banks of the Kokanee Creek. The hiking only trail is located northeast of the community of Nelson. BC in the Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada.

The trailhead to the Old Growth Trail is located after the Kokanee Creek Provincial Park and before the Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. Not in the parks, but on the gravel access road ( Gibson Lake FSR) to and through the parks. Travel along the access road for 11.2 kilometres and look for a trailhead sign on your left. Park your vehicle a little further up the gravel road at the designated pull out parking area.

When starting your hike stay left for the loop trail, if you go right it leads to a viewpoint of Kokanee Creek. The easy grade trail explores the creek habitat, an avalanche site and some old remains from logging and mining. It also connects to another trail on the east bank of the creek.

The trail is well marked. The main trail is about 1.5 kilometres and as a loop trail it extends to 2.5 kilometres. It is mostly, an earthy path, covered in pine needles, with exposed tree roots and boulders. Sometimes, depending on the season, there may be deadfall trees on the path left behind from storms, and not yet cleared by forest crews.

The hiking trail is lined with interpretive signs. There must be 17 of them located on the trail explaining the surrounding eco systems and wildlife.

How to Get to the Old Growth Hiking Trail

Travel to the community of Nelson, BC. Once in Nelson continue traveling 19 kilometres northeast on Highway #3a towards Kokanee Creek Park and Kokanee Glacier Road (Gibson Lake Rd). Continue on the gravel, sometimes rough, Kokanee Glacier Road for 11.2 kilometres the trailhead and a parking lot.

If arriving from the east travel west to the Kootenay Lake Ferry which connects Crawford Bay to Balfour. From Balfour travel Hwy #3a west for 15 kilometres to the Kokanee Creek Gates.