The stunning peaks of the Lizard Range that tower over the town of Fernie, B.C., are a sight to behold, and hiking up into them is an unforgettable experience. The area around Island Lake Lodge, a swath of private wilderness lands with a lodge, restaurant, and miles of well-maintained trails, offers a range of hikes from short walks through old growth cedars to all-day alpine excursions. For the 2023 season, access to hiking trails on Island Lake Lodge property is open daily from June 25-September 12, with vehicle access to the lodge only available Friday through Tuesday (otherwise, use the lower free parking lot 4.5k below the lodge). Favorite trails include the 4k Old Growth Trail (easy-moderate), 2k Lake Trail loop (easy), 7k Spineback Trail (advanced), and 9.5k Goldilocks Trail (advanced). Plan your hike at Tourismfernie.com/activities/hiking-trails/island-lake-lodge. (Derrick Knowles)
