The numbers following the names of the trails refer to their location on the map on the other side of this sheet. Motorized use is prohibited on these trails.
NC indicates a no cycling trail.
ET indicates an enhanced trail with interpretive signs.
A number of trails in the Kootenay River Valley have been developed recently by the Castlegar Friends of Parks and Trails especially Walter Volovsek.
Access is from the parking lot by the Brilliant Substation. To get to the parking lot drive up the road to the Castlegar Golf Course and turn right 1 km before reaching the Castlegar Golf Course along the gravel road marked Skattebo Reach Trail. The road forks after 2 km. Keep to the left and follow the signs for another 2 km to the parking lot
Skattebo Reach Trail (SR) 1 NC
A fairly long, 12 km one way, sometimes rocky trail that follows the Kootenay River to Glade. Bridges over rushing creeks and the cool forest makes this a delight even on a very hot day.
Access is from the Brilliant Substation parking lot or you may like to start in Glade at the south end of Glade by the bridge across Glade Creek.
Brilliant Overlook Trail (BO) 2 NC
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A pleasant climb of 330 metres up the back of the bluff, on the
east side of the Kootenay River, which overlooks the Brilliant Dam.
Handrails and other aids make the climbing easier. The view
of the two river valleys from the top is incredible.
Access is from the Brilliant Substation parking lot. Follow the Skattebo Reach Trail for 1 km then turn right and begin the climb to the top. An alternate to reach the top of this bluff, known as Mount Elsdon, is to follow the directions for driving to the Brilliant Substation parking lot but to keep to the right at the 2 km fork and follow the road for another 4 km to a parking lot on the left. The trail starts here. Follow the signs (BO) and after 2 km you should reach the junction with the Brilliant Overlook Trail. Turn left and it is 10 minutes to the summit. This is an easier approach but lacks the thrills of the other trail. There is no water on these trails so bring your own.
Doukhobor Waterline Trail 3 NC
A walk through history following the Doukhobor water line which was
used to irrigate the orchards in Brilliant. Please protect the
remains of the waterline; it is an historic treasure. The return
trip is 15 km and the further you go the rougher it gets so wear
good shoes or boots.
Access is from the Brilliant Substation parking lot. Follow the Skattebo Reach Trail for 2.5 km to a marked and flagged junction on the right. Follow this trail, keeping to the right at the junction with the McPhee Canyon Trail. The Doukhobor Waterline Trail travels above Big McPhee Creek before dropping down to the Creek where there are the remains of a concrete dam.
Dove Hill and Elk Cut off 4 NC
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Two short hikes which include some uphill with good views of Castlegar. The Dove Hill Trail is 1.5 Km to the view point or 4 Km to the Brilliant Substation parking lot. Elk Cut Off is a little shorter at 3 Km to parking lot. Combining hikes on these two trails present a number of possibilities.
Access is via the Castlegar Golf Course road; turn left onto a dirt road at the Dove Hill Trail sign, 1/2 kilometer before club house, and park. Hike down the dirt road 1/2 kilometer to the first turnoff on the right. Follow this trail to the top of Dove Hill. You reach the Elk Cut Off Trail go past the Dove Hill turnoff and follow the dirt road for another kilometer to the transmitter towers and turn right onto Elk Cut Off Trail. There is no water on these hikes so bring your own.
A variety of trails which includes walks along the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers. Distances vary from 5 km to 9 km of easy walking or running. Access is on the east side of the college gymnasium at the east end of the parking lot or from the top of the hill by the Doukhobor Museum.
This easy 1.5 km trail runs through a wildlife refuge especially rich in bird life. Signs explain aspects of local history and wetland ecology.
Drive north across the bridge connecting Castlegar and Robson. Turn right onto Old Mill Road, a gravel road atthe endof the bridge.Pass under the railroad bridge to the parking lot. Access can also be gained from the western end of Brilliant Road in Brilliant or from a path at the end of the Castlegar-Robson bridge.
trail map Self guide pamphlet
The Millennium Walkway is a 1.8 km paved, handicapped accessible, riverside walk. There are benches, interpretive signs on the history of the area and the Columbia River, lights, and a foot bridge. Add another five minutes to your walk on a dirt path and you will arrive at Zuckerberg Island which has a great selection of trails
Access to the Millennium Walkway is east from downtown Castlegar on 3rd street and 5th street. Access to Zuckerberg Island is east on 8th street
A pleasant 5 kilometer walk through a dense forest followed by a
climb to a fine view of Castlegar and the Columbia Valley.
Access is from Highway 3 west from Castlegar. Turn right 1/2 km past the Timberland Motel and drive 2 km on a gravel road to the parking lot on the right.
There are two connected trails in Syringa Creek Provincial Park, the Yellow Pine Trail which is 2.6 km long and the Syringa Creek Trail which is 3.3 km long. The climate here is very dry so these trails have very little snow on them during the winter. There is some gradual uphill.
Access to the trails is from any of 3 points along the road in the park. The first is from just inside the park entrance, the second 1 km further along at the Deer Park Road junction and the third another kilometer along the road. There is also access from the north side of the Syringa Park parking lot .
An 8 kilometer riverside trail following the Kootenay River from Glade north to Rover Creek Road across the river from South Slocan. Some challenging sections so wear good shoes.
Access is from the north side of Glade. Glade is on the east side of the Kootenay River and is serviced by a ferry. From the ferry landing take the first road, Glade Road, to the left. Drive 2 km to where the road turns into Denisoff Road. Continue straight ahead onto a rough dirt road for another kilometer keeping to the left. Access from South Slocan is by the bridge across the Kootenay River and up Rover Creek Road 1.7 km.
A trail connecting Castlegar to Trail on the east side of the
Columbia River. From the end of Waterloo Road in
Ootischenia, near Castlegar, to the water tower in Sunningdale in
Trail is 25 km one way. From the gate across the road before
the Champion Creek Village site to the water tower is 25 km.From the gate across the road before the Champion CReek Village site to the water tower is 20 KM. The gate is to keep out motorized vehicles.
Access from Castlegar starts at the end of the pavement on Waterloo Road in lower Ootischenia and continues along a sandy road beside the river before turning left up a hill to meet the Columbia Road at the end of the pavement. Bicyclists might prefer to start on the Columbia Road which runs past the dump and which merges with the trail from Waterloo Road before going down the hill to a yellow gate. At the fork 2 km past the gate take the trail to your left.
Access from Trail starts at the Sunningdale water tower. Hike north down a rough dirt road keeping to the right at intersections and staying on the most travelled road. The road develops into a trail and continues to Castlegar following the river quite closely. Once you reach the yellow gate at the north end of the Champion Creek Village site you may end your journey there or continue on to the Waterloo Road area via a trail on the left at a gravel pit at the beginning of pavement on Columbia Road.
A level shaded walk to the Champion Ponds and then around them and back again. Five kilometers takes you through a variety of vegetation and terrain.
Access is from the viewpoint 5 km east of Castlegar on Highway 3, to the top on the knoll and then through a gate in the fence.