Hot Springs

Hot Springs

Featuring the 'hot springs' in the Kootenay Rockies

This route showcases the wonderful, soothing hot springs of the Kootenay Rockies. Calgary, AB is the international gateway for this circle route and the regional airports are Cranbrook, Castlegar and Trail. You will travel through friendly communities, tour national & provincial parks and explore the many attractions along the way.

Day 1:
Cranbrook to Radium Hot Springs (160 km, 2 Hour Drive)
Overnight - Fairmont Hot Springs, Invermere, Panorama Mountain Village or Radium Hot Springs

Let us begin this tour in the south, near the city of Cranbrook. Travelling north on Hwy 95A to Kimberley, once a thriving mining town, it’s now is a four-season alpine resort city. The Bavarian themed community is home to Canada’s largest free-standing cuckoo clock, which can be found in the city’s downtown centre, known as the Platzl.

Continue north on Hwy 93/95, to Fairmont Hot Springs. Along the way be sure take a great side-trip to the Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park and Lussier Hot Springs. The hot natural mineral pools are located on forest service road, 18 km (11 mi) from the highway.

Farimont’s year-round, odourless, hot springs pools beckons travellers into their steamy, mineral-rich waters. The resort also offers golfing, skiing, hiking, biking, tennis, horseback riding, spa services, dining and overnight accommodation.

Continue north to Invermere and Windermere Lake, a great summer destination. In downtown Invermere you can browse through charming shops and visit the Pynelogs Cultural Centre, which hosts theatrical productions, concerts and workshops year-round.

Nearby, Panorama Mountain Village is a four-season resort that offers many outdoor pursuits including, hiking, biking, rafting, golfing, skiing, heli-skiing, snowmobiling and more.

Radium Hot Springs natural hot springs pool is located in Kootenay National Park (just north of the community of Radium). Soak away your tensions while gazing up at the red cliffs of Sinclair Canyon. And be on the lookout for bighorn sheep, which have long been local residents of the community. Then, follow Hwy 95N along the Columbia River, North American’s largest wetland areas, to Golden.

Fairmont Hot Springs Pools

Radium Hot Springs Pools

Day 2:
Radium Hot Springs to Golden (105 Km, 1.0 Hour Drive)
Overnight - Golden

The community of Golden, set on the banks of the Columbia River, is known as 'Kicking Horse Country' with its backcountry lodges and outdoor adventure opportunities, including whitewater rafting, hiking and a multitude of snow sport activities.

Enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River or a quiet retreat bird-watching on the world-renowned Columbia Wetlands. Ride the gondola to the top of Kicking Horse Mountain for panoramic mountain views and enjoy a memorable meal at Canada’s highest restaurant, the Eagle Eye. The resort’s great hiking, mountain biking and ‘champagne powder’ skiing may entice you too.

Just east of Golden is Yoho National Park, with astonishing landscapes of 28 peaks over 3,000 m high, glacial lakes and Canada’s highest waterfall, Takakkaw. Take the circle trail around spectacular glacier-fed Emerald Lake, visit the Natural Bridge or take a short drive to view the Spiral Tunnel. The train tunnel was carved in 1909 to avoid steep descents on the treacherous ‘Big Hill’. Stop for a few minutes and you may see the front end of a locomotive emerging from the upper portal, while the back end of the train enters the same tunnel below.

Lake O'Hara is accessed by special transportation or you may hike in (13 km/8 mile trail). The high peaks, rock basin lakes and alpine plants attract many visitors who wish to experience this area's unique beauty.

Canyon Hot Springs

Day 3:
Golden to Revelstoke (148 km, 2 Hour Drive)
Overnight – Revelstoke

The Rogers Pass is one of BC’s great mountain crossings between Golden and Revelstoke. Marvel at the engineering feat that forged a path through the mighty Selkirk and Purcell Mountains, making way for the railroad and the highway.

Hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing and a visit to the Rogers Pass Visitor Centre is a great way to discover the fascinations of Glacier National Park. Between the two national parks, Glacier & Mt. Revelstoke, is Canyon Hot Springs.

Located along side the TransCanada Highway, at Albert Canyon, this resort offers a natural mineral hot pool. Time spent in the pool is a great way to relieve the aches and pains of travelling.

Stop in the alpine city of Revelstoke and tour the Railway Museum, a tribute to the workers that built the nation’s transcontinental railway through the difficult mountain passes. Scenic trails are found in Mt. Revelstoke National Park and Enchanted Forest’s Wild Land Interpretive Walk. Visit the unique ghost town of Three Valley Gap and the waterfall at Crazy Creek Falls.

Day 4:
Revelstoke to Nakusp (100 km, 1.5 Hour Drive)
Overnight - Nakusp

Continue south on Hwy #23 to Halcyon & Nakusp Hot Springs. In addition to Halcyon’s four mineral-rich pools, the resort also offers year-round outdoor activities including, hiking, horseback riding, canoeing and snowmobiling.

Visit the Nakusp Museum, which profiles the town’s pioneer history and the Sternwheelers that navigated the waters of the Arrow Lakes. For a peaceful retreat, stroll along the Nakusp Waterfront Japanese Garden or enjoy a dip in the Nakusp Hot Springs.

Nakusp Hot Springs

Day 5:
Nakusp to Ainsworth Hot Springs (130 km, 2 Hour Drive)
Overnight - Ainsworth Hot Springs

New Denver and Silverton sit on the eastern shore Slocan Lake where there is often more heritage buildings on the street than are people. In New Denver, visit the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre, a museum dedicated to the preservation of the physical history and personal memories of Japanese Canadian internees. The Silvery Slocan Museum displays a great selection of memorabilia too.

Nearby, the Galena Trail features a hiking and biking path on an abandoned rail line. Start the easy 13 km (8 mi) trail from Three Forks or on the lakeshore at Rosebery. And visit Sandon, the historic ghost town that once was the most populated city in the area.

Follow Hwy 31 to Kaslo, whose natural harbour once bristled with activity as ore-barges, rowboats, steamships and sternwheelers jostled for a place alongside the bustling wharf. Tour the SS Moyie, the oldest surviving sternwheeler in the world.

Ainsworth Hot Springs - Caves

Launched in 1898, the sternwheeler is one of the most significant preserved steam passenger vessels in North America. A must see!

Continue south along Hwy 31 to Ainsworth Hot Springs to soothing mineral waters.

This unique hot springs has a horseshoe shaped cave, which is lined with stalagmites and stalactites. Explore the cave or relax in the main pool that overlooks picturesque Kootenay Lake.

Day 6:
Ainsworth to Cranbrook (190 km, 3 Hour Drive)
Overnight - Cranbrook or Kimberley

Take the free Kootenay Lake Ferry across to Crawford Bay and then travel on Hwy #3A to Creston. The East Shore of Kootenay Lake is a lively artist community, while, Creston is well known for its orchards and brewery, which produces Kokanee Beer at the Columbia Brewery.

Plan a visit to the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area, a bird and waterfowl refuge for more than 250 bird species. Take the boardwalk trail to a three-story birding tower or enjoy the nature programs at the Interpretive Centre.

From Creston it is a short drive back to Cranbrook. And not to be missed, during your visit to this community is the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel. This museum succeeds in capturing the romance of a bygone era. The award-winning collection of restored railcars, locomotives and the newly renovated Royal Alexandra Cafe is a 'must see' when visiting the area.