Looking for some adventure in the great outdoors? Check out the 7 best hikes in Invermere and plan your next trek to experience the stunning vistas, challenging trails, and all-around good times that the Columbia Valley has to offer!
1. Pedley Pass
Distance: 10.5 km
Elevation gain: 677 m
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty: Hard
The Pedley Pass Trail and Ridge Loop is a wonderful but challenging hike that provides a 360 degree view of surrounding mountains and valleys including Howse Peak, Mount Forbes, and the Columbia Icefields. Trekking along the ridge, you’ll have a beautiful view of the Pedley glacier. You can also choose to complete the Pedley Pass Trail to Ridge without traversing the ridge itself, as there are steep ledges on either side in some places. This out & back trail is 4.8 km long with an elevation gain of 429 m.
You’ll find the trailhead behind Swansea mountain and these driving directions are helpful! Note, you’ll want to have a 4X4 vehicle to access the trailhead, if you don’t you’ll definitely want to park further down the road as the last 500 meters is quite gnarly.
2. Swansea Mountain
Distance: 6.1 km
Elevation gain: 359 m
Route Type: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Swansea Mountain Tower is a trail that is both popular and moderately challenging, offering stunning views of Invermere and the Columbia Valley. Stretching across 180 km, the valley is situated between the Rocky and Purcell Mountains. The trailhead is located approximately 15 minutes by car from downtown Invermere. Furthermore, Swansea Mountain is a sought-after location for mountain biking – check out South Park! For a longer hike, you can consider the Swansea Mountain Loop, (16.4 km and 877 m elevation) This hike will lead you through the forest and alpine meadow. Swansea Mountain is undoubtedly home to some of the best hikes in Invermere!
3. Jumbo Pass
Distance: 10.9 km
Elevation gain: 960 m
Route Type: Out & Back
Difficulty: Hard
Jumbo Pass is a breathtaking hike that takes you beyond the Panorama ski resort, with sweeping views of the Jumbo Glacier and the surrounding mountains. The hike begins with a steep ascent but levels out as you make your make through a beautiful meadow filled with wildflowers. As you continue on the trail, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the Purcell Mountains, Toby Creek Canyon and the peaks of Mount Nelson and Mount Brewer.
Once passing the Panorama ski resort, the drive will take you another hour or so to reach the trailhead. Note, I’d highly recommend a 4X4 vehicle to navigate through these bumpy roads.
4. Lake of the Hanging Glaciers
Distance: 14.5 km
Elevation gain: 943 m
Route Type: Out & Back
Difficulty: Hard
Lake of the Hanging Glaciers is a difficult hike that takes you to a glacier-fed lake with a stunning view of the surrounding mountains. Along the trail, you’ll be surrounded by lush forests, rushing rivers (in the spring) and alpine vistas. In the spring and earlier summer months, you’ll see several waterfalls including Twin Falls, which is over 900 ft high. Once you reach the end of the trek, you’ll be rewarded with a bright turquoise lake with the backdrop of the Selkirk Mountains.
It’s important to note that this trail is typically only accessible from July to September due to the ice, melting snow and a bridge that manually needs to be placed when the conditions are optimal. To monitor this, check out the Columbia Valley Hikes Facebook page to hear feedback from other hikers when it is an optimal time to go. Additionally, this group is highly informative about the wildlife in the surrounding area, which is helpful if there have been recent bear sightings. Lastly, the road to the trailhead is rough but capable without a 4X4, just expect the drive to take about 1.5-2 hours from Invermere. All in all, this is a stunning trek and one of the best hikes in Invermere!
5. Pinto Mountain
Distance: 8.7 km
Elevation gain: 960 m
Route Type: Out & Back
Difficulty: Hard
Pinto Mountain is one of the best hikes in Invermere because it’s fairly close from downtown! This trek is challenging given its steep trail but rewarding for its expansive alpine views from the top. Additionally, the trail is well marked. Note, AWD is recommended as it is a loose gravel road with bumps. Check out the AllTrails description for clarity on how to reach the trailhead.
6. Brewer Lake
Distance: 10.3 km
Elevation gain: 530 m
Route Type: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate
VentureVida’s favorite hike to do in the fall is Brewer Lake, mainly due to the stunning golden larches. The initial ascent can be steep, but it levels out into a gorgeous meadow that’s surrounded by rustic mountains. The final stretch leading to the crystal-clear alpine lake is also somewhat steep, but not overly difficult. The trail is well-marked, with ribbons and orange diamond markers on the trees.
Note, the last 2 km of the road leading up to the trailhead is quite gnarly and a 4X4 vehicle is recommended. Additionally, there is no cell service on the road.
7. Conrad Kain Hut Trail
Distance: 9 km
Elevation gain: 991 m
Route Type: Out & Back
Difficulty: Hard
The Kain Hut Trail leading to Applebee campground is a spectacular and distinctive hiking experience within the region. The trailhead is located about 1.5 hours away by car from Invermere, but the journey towards Bugaboo Provincial Park is a delightful experience in itself. If the full hike to Applebee’s camp seems too daunting, you can opt for a shorter trek of 4.5 km and 740 m elevation to the Conrad Kain hut, which is equally impressive. As you begin the journey, you will spot the Conrad Glacier in the distance and make your way towards it. After reaching the hut, you can easily take a side hike for a closer view of the glacier. The hut and glacier are named after Conrad Kain, an Austrian-Canadian mountaineer who explored the Bugaboos and other regions of the Canadian Rockies.
If you’re interested in staying overnight in the Conrad Kain hut, take a look at the steps below to make a reservation:
- Visit the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) website.
- Click on the “Huts” tab in the main menu and select “Bugaboos” from the drop-down menu.
- Scroll down to the Conrad Kain Hut section and click on “Book Now”.
- Choose your preferred dates and the number of people in your group.
- Select your preferred sleeping arrangements (private room, communal sleeping area, or camping).
- Follow the prompts to complete your reservation and payment ($25 per person/night).
Alternatively, you can contact the Alpine Club of Canada directly by phone or email to make a reservation. Their contact information is 403-678-3200 ext. 0 between 8:30am to 8:30pm seven days a week. Conrad Kain Hut is a popular destination and availability can be limited so it’s recommended you book ahead. Applebee Dome campground is a first-come, first-serve basis. However, you’ll be required to obtain a permit which you can do on the BC parks reservation site. It’s $10/night for an adult to camp here.
And that’s the 7 best hikes in Invermere!
For the ultimate outdoor adventure, look no further than these top 7 hikes in Invermere! Each one is a must-do for any avid hiker (check out VentureVida’s hiking recommendations in Banff). Have you had the pleasure of experiencing any of these breathtaking trails before? Let us know in the comments below! And to stay up to date on our latest adventures, be sure to subscribe to VentureVida.
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