A Week of Hiking and More

Get a lesson in low-elevation hiking
Warm up your legs by checking out some of our lower-elevation trails. Mount Revelstoke National Park has several great options. We recommend Inspiration Woods - this easy 2.5 km loop takes you through our gorgeous interior rainforest. Tree species you’ll see include western hemlock, western white pine and Douglas fir. Lichen, moss, and ferns also thrive in this rich environment.
While you’re in the park, check out a piece of Revelstoke’s history at the Nels Nelsen Ski Jump. Revelstoke was once a hub for ski jumping in western Canada, and the interactive exhibit known as “Nels Knickers” will give you an idea of the thrill of ski jumping. Imagine yourself soaring through the air, feeling the wind against you before spotting your landing far below.
These trails are great options in May and June due to their low elevation when alpine trails are still snow-covered.

Up to the alpine
Head east to Glacier National Park for challenging trails and epic views. Stop in at the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre to learn a little more about the area before lacing up your boots. Be sure to ask about trail restrictions, as sometimes there are minimum group numbers or closures established for wildlife management purposes.
If you want the epic 360 degree mountain views, you’re going to have to work for it. Be prepared for challenging terrain and steep inclines. 

Abbott Ridge Trail
The Abbott Ridge hike is a classic, leading to true alpine tundra. The trees give way to a narrow ridge with unbelievable views. The trail is 6.8 km each way with an elevation gain of 1029 metres. If you’re not up for the full trail, you can stop at Marion Lake, which is around half way. 

Gondola accessed hiking
Revelstoke Mountain Resort offers alpine hiking via the gondola to the top.
Once the upper gondola opens for the season (usually late June) you can access Revelstoke Mountain Resorts high alpine trails. Greely Trail is a lovely cruise to a small subalpine lake. For a longer and more adventurous hike, link up the Stoke Climb, Mackenzie Ridge, and the Subpeak Loop. You’ll be treated to great views of the surrounding Selkirk Mountains.

Play all day
We recommend purchasing a Play All Day pass to make the most of your day. It will give you access to the gondola and hiking trails as well as the Aerial Adventure Park, the Pipe Mountain Coaster, disc golf, and axe throwing.
After your hike, you can choose to give your knees a rest and download on the gondola and have a drink at the Outpost or the Rockford Grill.

Back to Glacier National Park
Head back to Glacier National Park and explore more alpine trail options. Many trails in Glacier National Park listed are difficult trails and require hiking experience and hiking gear. Check out our local shops if you need to pick anything up!

Perley Rock Trail
One great option for this day is the Perley Rock trail, a stunning but ambitious trail that climbs steeply to the top of the Illecillewaet Glacier. The trail switchbacks and climbs to a snow slope. Exercise caution and consider bringing an ice axe on this trip (if you don't know how to use an ice axe, this may not be the hike for you). Once you cross the snow slope, you'll be rewarded with unreal views of the Illecillewaet Glacier.

Return to Mount Revelstoke National Park
Mount Revelstoke National Park’s alpine trails are well worth a visit. One of the best things about hiking in the park is that you drive the Meadows in the Sky Parkway to the top before you hike, which means you cut out a lot of the elevation while you’re still in your vehicle.

Alpine lakes to see
There are several options at Mount Revelstoke depending on how much energy you have. Try the hike out to Eva and Miller Lakes, two subalpine jewels that will take you about 2-3 hours to reach. The Jade Lakes are 9.4 km each way and are well worth the extra kilometres. You’ll climb through the alpine and drop down to a pristine chain of lakes - then it’s 9.4 km back the way you came to your vehicle.

Please check the trail conditions reports before heading out as alpine trails open much later in the hiking season due to snow.

Mount Begbie
Not for the faint of heart is our most iconic peak - Mount Begbie. This trail is steep and requires good fitness. There are a few options for an end point on this hike depending on your skill level. To reach the summit itself requires mountaineering skills - it requires a glacier crossing and some scrambling. The meadows below the summit are also an excellent destination. If you are determined to reach the summit but not sure if you have the skill, there are guiding operations in town that can help get you to the top.

What to expect
The hike up is long and steep, gaining over 2000 metres of elevation. The campsite is 5 km from the trailhead, and the toe of the glacier is a further 1 km from there. The hike up is mostly forested, but the campsite has an amazing view over town. The walk down is arguably the most difficult part, your legs and knees will be shaking beneath you.
We recommend bringing mountaineering equipment, bug spray, bear spray, extra layers, and lots of water.

Hermit Trail
The Hermit trail is another excellent hike in Glacier National Park. The trail is considered the steepest in Rogers Pass, but is very well built. We recommend hiking poles for the way down. It serves as quick access to the Hermit Range, which offers good climbing and scrambling opportunities on peaks such as Mount Tupper, Hermit Mountain, Mount Rogers and Swiss Peak. The trail climbs 819 metres over 3.2 km.