Photo: Hiking along the Columbia River near Castlegar
Forge Fall Adventures Your Own Way in Castlegar, B.C.
Whether you’re on a hunt for stunning autumn foliage or a sucker for high-speed mountain thrills, Castlegar, B.C., has it all without the crowds. This small, friendly city nestled in a valley along the Columbia River just three hours north of Spokane proudly shows off its rich cultural heritage and art scene, with opportunities for outings to keep both parents and children engaged.
Fall Hikes in Castlegar with Views Close to Town
Castlegar is surrounded by trails for all abilities and seasons, but it’s the local fall color show starring golden swaths of larch trees in late September and peaking in October that steals the show. These two short hikes are great for hiking families and hikers with dogs.
Brilliant Overlook Trail (4+ miles, Moderate): This hike requires a bit of climbing (just over 1,000 feet of elevation) but the awesome views that look out over the Columbia River Valley make it a local’s favorite! Best for older kids and adults with hiking experience, the trail will fool you at first with its mellow grade, but rest assured, there is plenty of steep, more challenging climbing ahead. Views from the top, including the City of Castlegar, are worth the effort. See if you can spot RED Mountain Resort in the distance to the south!
Mel DeAnna Trail (3.5 miles, Easy): This lollipop-loop hike just off Hwy 3 south of Castlegar meanders through a forest blazing with fall larch colors if you time it right. The trail creates a loop around Champion Ponds, a great place to spot birds and other wildlife, take in the quiet surroundings, and savor the crisp fall air. Check out the a-frame shelters and interpretive signs along the way. Keep an eye out for the ruins of a historic cabin, an abandoned mine, and the spur trail down to a bench with a fantastic view. The limited elevation gain on this undulating trail make it great for less experienced hikers and children.
Doukhobor Discovery Center
Explore Castlegar’s Family-Friendly Cultural Sites
Castlegar has a surprising number of cool cultural sites and public art, many with interesting activities and features to keep the whole family engaged.
The Doukhobor Discovery Center: Learn about the Doukhobor people who settled in the region in the early 1900s. The museum is dedicated to telling the story of the Doukhobors, a communal, pacifist religious community originating from Russia. Taste a bit of their cultural heritage yourself at The Great Borshch Cook Off on Sept. 28 while sampling their traditional, beet-based soups.
Brilliant Suspension Bridge: Built in 1913 by the Doukhobors and restored in 2010, a walk across this beautiful Castlegar bridge is a trip back in time.
Sculpture Walk: Castlegar is the Sculpture Capital of Canada and every year international artists display their work throughout the city as part of the annual Sculpture Walk. Visitors can vote for their favorites and the most popular sculpture is purchased by the city to remain on display as part of its permanent collection.
Columbia and Western Rail Trail
Castlegar Mountain Bike and Motorized Trails
There are 80 miles of mountain biking trails in Castlegar and innumerable logging roads and other tracks to enjoy, whether you’re on two wheels or four.
Mountain Biking: According to Trailforks, the best trail in the world right now is Captain Kangaroo, one of eight that make up the Merry Creek network in Castlegar. In other words, the riding is world class and should not be missed.
Moto Trails: Castlegar offers one of the region’s largest systems of trails for ATVs, side-by-sides, and dirt bikes. Choose from miles of logging roads and designated trails and ORV riding areas. A local’s favorite is the Columbia and Western Rail Trail. Shared with hikers and bicycle riders, this 100-mile-long decommissioned railway winds past lakes, over six trestles and through five tunnels with stellar scenery along the way. For more technical dirt bike trails, the KMX Motocross Track and trail system or the Rover Creek singletrack trail system close to Castlegar offer some of the best moto riding in the Pacific Northwest.
Plan your north-of-the-border escape to Castlegar, B.C., at Destinationcastlegar.com.
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