This loop will take you through British Columbia, Alberta and Montana. Wildlife is everywhere. Postcard scenes from every window. Hop out of your car, gain a viewpoint that hangs over an unblemished emerald lake, settle into a 100 year old lodge and bask in the magic of the mountains. This is ‘out there’ exploration at its best.
If you are a U.S. visitor travelling from the south, begin your tour in Columbia Falls. This pretty village has a wide array of parks and natural spaces to enjoy such as the River’s Edge Park on the banks of the Flathead River. The Columbia Falls Market is one of the most popular in the valley.
Whitefish offers a quaint downtown with boutique shopping. Explore the Whitefish Trail, moments from town. If you are a railroad buff, you’ll love the historic Great Northern Railway Depot. It’s the busiest Amtrak stop between Seattle and Minneapolis. The depot doubles as Whitefish Museum.
Eureka, located in the Tobacco River Valley, offers wonderful walks by the river. Stop for a delicious old-time milkshake at Cafe Jax.
Along the way:
Fernie is fully encircled by the majestic Rocky Mountains, making it a bucket-list location for adventurers and sightseers. World-class fly-fishing, thrilling whitewater rafting and a hiking and biking trail network complement its eclectic arts community.
Spend a day or two exploring the Elk Valley:
FERNIE |
SPARWOOD |
Fernie boasts small town charm and big mountain adventure. The brick and stone facades of the historic downtown are nestled below the jagged peaks of the Lizard Range.
Fernie offers a huge network network of mountain biking and hiking trails, a bike park, a zip line, fishing, whitewater rafting and more. |
The Gateway to the region.
The Terex Titan, the world’s largest tandem axle dump truck, stands silently at the town’s entrance – a monument to Sparwood’s major industry. The Sparwood Golf Club is a 9-hole course featuring rolling fairways and mountain vistas. And, the museum is home to pictures and artifacts spanning over 115 years of the region’s mining and settlement history. |
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a spectacular 85 km / 53 mi paved two-lane highway that bisects Glacier National Park east and west. It spans the width of the park, crossing the Continental Divide at 2,000 m (6,646 ft) high Logan Pass. Scenic viewpoints line the road. It’s worth travelling the road in each direction as the views are equally stunning.