Radium Hot Springs

Radium Hot Springs offers several very different ways to experience the Columbia Valley’s landscape and history: on the Old Coach Trail, hiking and cycling meet a historic route; the Sinclair Canyon Trails follow Sinclair Creek, and the Columbia River offers access for non-motorized boating. You can also learn about the cultural and natural heritage of Kootenay National Park. When planning your trip, you can decide whether you want to focus primarily on trails, cycling options, water or culture.

Exploring the Old Coach Trail

The Old Coach Trail is a 9-kilometre hiking or cycling route between Radium Hot Springs and Dry Gulch. It runs along the slopes above the Columbia River and offers views of the Columbia Wetlands below. The northern access point is at the south end of Main Street West in Radium Hot Springs; it is accessible to hikers and cyclists. If you include the route in your vacation plans, you can focus both on the journey and on the views of the wetlands.

The trail also tells a story of earlier travel: in the 1920s, Model T vehicles travelled along this historic route. Interpretive signs along the trail explain its history. The trail is therefore not only a place to hike or cycle, but also a place where the landscape connects with a specific chapter of the region’s past.

Sinclair Creek and the canyon trails

The Sinclair Canyon Trails form an extensive trail system along the lower section of Sinclair Creek. Those who prefer a relatively flat loop will find a 2-kilometre route there. It crosses the creek at two points via footbridges. The information about its length and route helps distinguish this loop from the longer Old Coach Trail, without combining the two trails into a single outing.

Interpretive signs along the Sinclair Canyon Trails cover points of interest as well as the area’s environment and history. This lets you connect a walk with topics beyond the trail itself. Dogs may be off leash in this area. If you’re travelling with a dog, this local rule is a specific difference to consider when choosing your activities.

Cycling routes with different lines

Below Rotary Park, the Columbia Valley Cycling Society (CVCS) oversaw the construction of a bike pump track in 2012. The Pump and Jump Track includes a Grom Loop for children and beginners, as well as an intermediate line with larger hills and more opportunities for jumps. Riders of all ages and skill levels can improve their abilities and technique there. The two lines differ primarily in who they are designed for and the features they offer.

For families looking to include cycling in their trip, the Grom Loop described here is a particularly useful point of reference. Those seeking an intermediate challenge can look to the line with larger hills and more opportunities for jumps. The pump track adds a distinct type of cycling to the trail options in Radium Hot Springs.

Boating on the Columbia River

The Columbia River Access Park provides access for non-motorized boating. It is at the first bridge as you leave Radium Hot Springs on Horsethief Service Road, just past the Canfor sawmill. Non-motorized boats can be safely launched and taken out of the water there. The park also has a picnic area, a toilet and a waste bin. For travellers planning a boating trip, this offers a clearly identified access point.

Insights into the park and regional culture

The Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre is located in the Village of Radium Hot Springs, just outside the park’s western boundary. Visitors can get information about the park, make reservations for backcountry stays, purchase national park fishing licences and buy park passes there. The interpretive exhibits explore the cultural and natural heritage of Kootenay National Park and the Columbia Valley. A particular focus is the culture of the local Ktunaxa First Nations.

When choosing a vacation apartment or house, these different interests may shape your decision to make Radium Hot Springs your holiday destination: perhaps you’d like to combine historic trail stories with scenic views, walk a loop along Sinclair Creek, try the cycling options, or focus on boating and park culture. The destination pages for Panorama, Spillimacheen, Cranbrook, Fernie, Windermere, Skookumchuck, East Kootenay F and Kimberley offer more destinations to consider when planning your trip.

For the broader travel overview: East Kootenay.