Biking the Slocan Valley Rail Trail in British Columbia

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Set amidst the fantastic landscape of British Columbia’s Kootenay region is the 52-kilometre Slocan Valley Rail Trail – originally built to transport ore from Nelson to Slocan. It offers a unique blend of impressive scenery, rich history, and accessible adventure for all cyclists, no matter what your age or ability.

The rail trail parallels the picturesque Slocan River, connecting towns along the way. Bike a section or take on the challenge of the whole trail. There are enough services along the route – both for meals and accommodation, that you could easily organize an out and back bike ride over a couple of days.

There’s plenty to see along the rail trail – including forests, farms, mountains, the Slocan River, marshland and small towns. You’ll find lots of spots for picnics, scenic breaks or a swim on a hot summer’s day. Whether you’re a passionate cyclist or a casual rider, the Slocan Valley Rail Trail promises an unforgettable journey through one of BC’s most beautiful regions.

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Pretty mountain scene along the Slocan River

Slocan Valley Rail Trail summary

Distance: 52 km one way. The Slocan Valley bike trail starts in South Slocan on the Kootenay River and ends in the Village of Slocan overlooking Slocan Lake. You can bike the trail in either direction.

Terrain: A bit of everything from sand to packed gravel, to grass and packed dirt. The grade is very gentle.

Difficulty: Easy, unless you’re in deep sand. If you’re biking the Slocan Valley Rail Trail with your family, choose short sections to start with, especially if you’re doing an out and back ride.

Type of trail: One way if you can arrange a shuttle. Otherwise, it’s an out and back bike ride.

Dogs: Dogs are permitted on the Slocan Valley bike trail but must be leashed if you meet someone. Also, be sure to clean up after them.

There were some sections with a lot of sand on the Slocan Valley Rail Trail

A hard packed dirt-gravel section on the Slocan Valley Rail Trail

Best towns in the Slocan Valley for trail access

South Slocan: If you’re coming from Castlegar or Nelson, South Slocan offers a convenient start with scenic views.

Winlaw: A great choice about midpoint along the Slocan Valley Rail Trail with several places to eat and sleep.

Village of Slocan: Located at the northern end of the Slocan Valley bike trail, with scenic views of Slocan Lake, water access, a small hotel, and several places to eat.

Good signage along the Slocan Valley Rail Trail directing you to food and accommodation options - this one for Winlaw — Good signage along the Slocan Valley Rail Trail directing you to food and accommodation options – this one for Winlaw

Access points, distances and highlights along the Slocan Valley Rail Trail

When you drive Highway 6 through the Kootenays parallel to the Slocan Valley Rail Trail, you’ll find excellent signage indicating access points and parking along the Slocan Valley bike trail. At each trailhead you’ll find a map and information kiosk. There are also restrooms.

Once you’re on the Slocan Valley bike trail, you’ll see kilometre markers every kilometre, so you always know where you are.

Access points from south to north

South Slocan, Crescent Valley, Passmore, Winlaw, Lemon Creek, and the Village of Slocan.

Distances and highlights along the Slocan Valley rail trail

South Slocan to Crescent Valley

Distance: 5 km

Four of the five kilometres is paved trail linking the communities of South Slocan and Crescent Valley. This section of trail also provides a connection to the Trans-Canada Trail and area trails including the Crescent Valley Beach Park. Highlights include the beach and the pub.

Crescent Valley to Passmore

Distance: 16.5 km

I ran out of time, so I didn’t bike much of the rail trail between Crescent Valley and Passmore. It’s known for its beautiful farms, hidden beaches and rocky shorelines though it also travels through business and residential areas.

Reportedly one of the most scenic and secluded sections on the Slocan Valley Rail Trail starts about 7 km north of Crescent Valley. Here you’ll find the historic Kosiancic farm and its superlative views of the valley and river. Continuing, pass the Passmore Slide. This where you’ll find the only minor hill on the entire rail trail.

A forested section heading north out of Crescent Valley

Passmore to Winlaw

Distance: 10.1 km

I quite liked this section of the Slocan Valley bike trail, especially the parts close to the river in the morning when the reflections were surreal. Part of the section winds through marshland. You also pass small pocket beaches that would be great for cooling off in the summer.

This stretch of rail trail is in sight of the highway for many kilometres, but there were very few cars, so I didn’t find it bothersome in the least.

As you get close to Passmore you reach the scenic confluence of the Slocan and Little Slocan Rivers. There are lots of benches along here where you can enjoy a well-earned break.

Winlaw to Lemon Creek

Distance: 12 km

Winlaw is a great place to refuel and it’s just a short distance off the trail. This section of rail trail offers plenty of scenic farm land, a winding section of river much loved by waterfowl and some small beaches.

As you get close to Lemon Creek pass an interpretive sign describing the Lemon Creek Internment Camp that housed 1,800 people. Looking out at the field is a sobering reminder of the terrible privation that the Japanese Canadians endured at the hands of the Canadian government.

Quite the tree on this farm just off the rail trail

Unexpected cliffs beside the Slocan Valley Rail Trail as I head to Lemon Creek

Lemon Creek to the Village of Slocan

Distance: 8.1 km

Much of this section alternates between thick forest and river views. Pass the Walter Clough Wildlife Area where in winter hundreds of geese, trumpeter and tundra swans show up. You can’t miss the large field of hay that was the site of the Popoff Internment Camp.

Near Slocan look for the Owl Walk – where you might see the western screech owl. There are pathways to walk and interpretive signage to read.

End at the gazebo on Slocan Lake, just past this statue pictured below. There are a couple of beaches to check out and there are some good places for a swim if it’s a hot summer’s day. Slocan Lake is a beauty, so be sure to give it the time it deserves.

You can't miss this art piece near the northern terminus of the Slocan Valley Rail Trail — You can’t miss this art piece near the northern terminus of the Slocan Valley Rail Trail

Best time to bike the rail trail

Plan to bike the Slocan Valley Rail Trail in spring (after the snow has melted), summer and early fall.

Spring is beautiful with all the fresh foliage, summer is ideal for wildflowers and swimming, and fall for crisp air and stunning fall foliage. I did it the first week of October and found the trail to be very quiet, and beautiful.

Weekends will be busier, but this isn’t a trail where you’ll have to fight for space. You can count on long stretches where you won’t see a soul.

Return in winter and cross-country ski on groomed, track-set trails. The rest of the trail is also open to those on skate skis, snowshoes and fat bikes.

Gorgeous fall foliage along the Slocan River in early October

I stopped in my tracks when I saw this beautiful tree south of Winlaw

Where to eat along the Slocan Valley Rail Trail

Along or just off the Slocan Valley Rail Trail you’ll find numerous eateries. On many occasions I saw signage pointing to restaurants and markets from the trail.

I’d also recommend carrying a picnic lunch so you can stop at one of the numerous scenic spots along the way. I had lunch just north of Passmore where there was an elevated bench with a view. Earlier on I’d passed a picnic table by the Slocan River with a view. It too would have been a great place to pull over.

Eateries

South Slocan – The Dam Restaurant & Bar

Crescent Valley – The popular and colourful Frog Peak Cafe & Guesthouse and Evergreen Market & Kitchen.

Passmore and Lemon Creek – Nothing that’s easily accessible that I’m aware of.

Winlaw – Sleep is for Sissies, Sunday Cafe from 9 AM – 2 PM on Sundays only, Gaia Tree Whole Foods and the Valley View Golf Course & Restaurant.

Village of Slocan – Harold Street Cafe, The Lobby Grill, Bliss Cafe and the Slocan Village Market.

I saw several of these elevated benches where views were good on the rail trail — I saw several of these elevated benches where views were good on the Slocan Valley Rail Trail

A perfect place for a break on the way to Passmore

In Winlaw you can pick up food at Gaia Tree Whole Foods

Where can you stay along the Slocan Valley Rail Trail?

In Crescent Valley, the Frog Peak Cafe Guesthouse can accommodate up to four people.

Near Winlaw you can stay at The Nest at Raven’s Perch, the Bird’s Nest Studio just steps from the river (call 50 217-0233) or the Karibu Park Cottages & Campground.

The Lemon Creek Pioneer Campground has 26 sites with showers available. Choose from tent, trailer or RV sites.

In Slocan check out the Springer Creek RV Park and Campground, The Slocan City Hotel and The Col Guesthouse.

The Frog Peak Cafe & Guesthouse is close to the southern terminus of the rail trail

In the Village of Slocan you can stay at the Slocan City Hotel

What’s the best type of bike for the rail trail?

I’d recommend that you take a gravel or mountain bike for the trail. A road bike won’t get you very far when you’re in the sandier sections.

Don’t forget to pack a bike pump, extra inner tubes, tire levers, and glueless patches.

My bike at KM 32 on the Slocan Valley bike trail

Bike rentals and shops near the Slocan Valley Rail Trail

There are no rental shops to my knowledge along the Slocan Valley biking trail. You can rent from Gericks Cycle & Ski in Nelson or Revolution Cycles in Rossland. It’s way easier to organize a trip if you bring your own bike.

If you do need to rent a bike, be sure to reserve in peak season.

I was very happy to have my own bike for the Slocan Valley bike trail

Tips for a memorable bike ride in the Kootenays

Safety: Let someone know where you’re going and when you are due back.

Bears: Be bear aware. I carried bear spray and though I didn’t see a bear, I saw mounds of fresh scat near Lemon Creek. Make noise, especially if there is no one else around.

Trail etiquette: Stay on the Slocan Valley Rail Trail and respect any private property you pass. Take all your garbage with you.

Packing essentials: Pack layers in case the weather changes along with water, snacks, and a bike repair kit.

Bike early in the morning if you want to catch beautiful reflections in the Slocan River between Winlaw and Passmore

Another beautiful scene from the Slocan Valley bike trail

Why you should bike the Slocan Valley Rail Trail

All levels of cyclists will enjoy biking the Slocan Valley Rail Trail – whether you’re a family with younger children or someone who regularly knocks off century-long bike rides.

Biking the rail trail a fantastic way to explore a beautiful and mostly hidden river valley. I’ve driven the highway many times, but it wasn’t until I was on my bike that I appreciated how diverse and beautiful the landscape was over 50 kilometres. Most of the time you don’t see the highway, so the bike ride also makes you feel close to nature. In fact, early in the ride, I was startled by a half dozen wild turkeys.

I’d never noticed how many farms there are before – and I certainly had no idea about the settlement of 5,000 Doukhobors between 1908-1917. The other eye opener thanks to some interpretive signage was the fact that two sets of Japanese Canadians, numbering 1,000 each were interred in the field below in Popoff and in Lemon Creek.

I hope you enjoy your time biking the Slocan Valley Rail Trail. Please reach out to me with any questions or comment on your experience. I always love to hear from my readers.