Kootenays 8 Day Road Trip

Fernie nestles in the southeastern corner of British Columbia and is a mere three hour drive from Calgary. Located along the Crowsnest Pass Highway (Highway 3), just 30 minutes from the Alberta border, this picturesque mountain town offers both convenience and spectacular scenery.

Make your first stop at the Fernie Visitor Centre which also doubles as the trailhead for the easy 4.6 km hike to Fairy Creek Falls. The short hike leads to a stop-in-your-tracks view of the falls.

Checking in to the Blackstone B&B, your boutique room opens to a mountain oasis patio. Perhaps best of all, aside from spotting three moose casually walking one morning, is the ability to access hiking trails right from the doorstep.

Dinner tonight is at the Bramasole Restaurant and Wine Bar where the art of sharing is encouraged but the food so delicious you may not want to.

After a restful night, head out in search of coffee and breakfast at aptly named Mugshots. The avocado toast is a standout.

Fueled for adventure, hike the Easy Beaver trail, a 6 km/105 metre elevation gain, leading to Montane Hut and views of Fernie and the valley below. 

For lunch head to Big Bang Bagels where 18 varieties of bagels are made in house daily. 

In the afternoon, use the free Iconic Fernie App to explore local heritage and art, food, nature, scenic viewpoints and photography spots, all at your own pace. Learn about the town’s rich history at the Fernie Museum, shop for unique finds at Coal Town Goods, admire the work of local artisans at the Fernie Arts Co-op and find a good read at Polar Peak Books.

Need an afternoon snack? There is always a delicious find at Beanpod Chocolate Gelato and Coffee.

Finish the day at  The Loaf Italian Restaurant, known for its casual dining and signature Neapolitan pizza.

For more information about Fernie visit tourismfernie.com

Start your day with a fresh coffee and pastry at Rooftop Coffee Roasters set in a beautiful heritage building in Fernie before departing.

Enjoy the one hour drive to St. Eugene Resort where Indigenous culture and history meet luxury.

A former residential school, St. Eugene is the only project in Canada where a First Nation has turned an icon of a sad period of its history into a thriving economic engine and an international resort. The world class destination shares its past openly for all to learn, acknowledge and understand.

A good first stop is at the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre within the resort. Through artifacts, photographs and displays, visitors learn the history and mythology of the Ktunaxa people.

Enjoy a relaxed lunch at The 19th Hole Restaurant, located in the golf clubhouse, beside the championship 18-hole golf course. If time allows, hit the links on this impeccably maintained course.

Spend the afternoon on a leisurely hike along the Wycliffe Hoodoos trail. This mostly flat path follows the top of the Hoodoos offering sweeping views of over the unique rock formations below. After the hike return to St. Eugene and unwind with a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool or soak in the hot tub.

Dinner tonight at the resort is at Numa Lounge (“thunder” in Ktunaxa). With mountain views from window tables, expect a menu filled with fresh ingredients and inspired by local indigenous meals.

For more information about St. Eugene Resort visit steugene.ca

After breakfast at St. Eugene, drive 10 minutes to the largest centre of this Kootenays road trip. Cranbrook, with rich railway heritage and mountain views in every direction is a small city. However, locals refer to it as a big ‘small town’. 

The first stop is at the Cranbrook History Centre .Take the Trans Canada Ltd Tour, where original Canadian Pacific rail cars have been restored to reflect luxury train travel in the early 1900’s. The museum’s East Kootenay Paleontology Gallery is a paradise for fossil enthusiasts. Down the hall, the expansive model train room, with its interactive trains, promises fun for young and old alike.

Fuel up at Max’s Place, a beloved Cranbrook spot, before heading out on your next hiking adventure. This region is packed with scenic hiking trails waiting to be explored. For a rewarding climb, tackle the 3 km trail to Eager Hill (123m elevation gain), and take in expansive vistas of the Rocky Mountains stretching across the valley.

For train enthusiasts or anyone looking for a unique stay, Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort offers two charming and luxurious rail car suites.

Dinner tonight is at the Heid Out & Fisher Peak Brewing. The atmosphere is lively, and the food even better. They are serious about using local ingredients and have been for decades. Downstairs is the award winning Fisher Peak Brewing and the original brewery in Cranbrook. 

For more information on Cranbrook visit cranbrooktourism.com

A 30 minute drive northwest along Highway 95A brings you to Kimberley, tucked in the heart of the Purcell Mountains. Known by locals as “a good place to be,” this charming mountain community quickly wins over visitors with its friendly spirit and small town appeal.

Start your visit by parking for free in the lot near the Visitor Centre. Then head to The Drift Café for a delicious breakfast. Treat yourself to one of their oven-fresh cinnamon buns or a variety of handmade breakfast favourites.

Stroll through the pedestrian-only, cobblestone Platzl (small square), weaving in an out of cleverly named shops such as Old Crow Emporium (antiques), The Knitty Gritty (yarn), and Ficklegrubber's Treatery (candy).

Adventure opportunities are never far in Kimberley with hiking and mountain biking trails close at hand. For a panoramic view of the town with a mountain backdrop, the Magic Line trail beginning at the Nordic Centre, provides that reward after just one kilometre of hiking. If time allows, continue along the full 7.6 km trail route.

Check in to the The Larix hotel, a boutique mountain retreat blending heritage charm with modern luxury. Tucked at the edge of the Platzl, it offers twenty beautifully designed rooms, complete with spa bathrooms. The outdoor sauna a perfect finish to the day.

Tonight, a bicycle themed restaurant, where causal atmosphere meets a seasonally changing menu, The Pedal and Tap has been welcoming guests since 2011. Expect a bustling atmosphere, and popular items like mucky fries and spaghettiballs.

For more information about Kimberley visit tourismkimberley.com

Head north on Highway 93 from Kimberly for roughly an hour to spot the Fairmont Hoodoos from a spectacular roadside vantage.

According to Ktunaxa legend, these Hoodoos are the remnants of a colossal sea monster. Its ribs left behind after it was slain along the shores of Columbia Lake.

A 3.2 km hike with a 122 metre elevation gain, aptly called The Hoodoos Trail, leads along the top of these striking rock formations providing spectacular valley views.

At The Local Coffeehouse owner Suzanne serves up made-from-scratch goodness with a smile on the side. With generous lunch portions, you may want your Pecan Pie Bar to go. Next door at The Purple Cow, find quirky gifts, toys, art and souvenirs. It's the perfect place to get your shopping fix.

Take a break at Fairmont Hot Springs, the country’s largest natural mineral springs. Enjoy a rejuvenating soak before heading on to your next destination.

For more information about Fairmont Hot Springs visit www.fairmonthotsprings.com

The Kootenays road trip continues with a short 17 km drive to Invermere. Here lakeside relaxation blends with artsy small-town energy on the shores of Windermere Lake. Adventure is never far off with opportunities for paddling, ATV tours,  hiking and cycling.

This afternoon, discover your artistic side in a hands-on art workshop at Black Star Studios. The studio offers a variety of workshops, including canvas painting and hands on sessions with clay. It’s a good idea to book in advance if possible.

Downtown Invermere is lined with boutiques, art shops and locally owned eateries making an afternoon of browsing a quest of unique finds.

Birchwood restaurant offers a relaxed, adult focused dining experience, opening at 5:00pm. The menu highlights local ingredients, with options ranging from beef tenderloin to falafel. Guests can choose indoor or patio seating, with cozy atrium seating available in winter. Hours vary by season and reservations are recommended. 

For more information about Invermere visit www.invermerepanorma.com

Perched on the edge of Kootenay National Park, the Village of Radium Hot Springs, often simply called Radium, welcomes visitors with its small town charm, scenic surroundings and the ever present mountain sheep.

For decades, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep have called the area around Radium home. In late spring and summer, the herds move into nearby mountains to lamb. Come autumn and winter, these iconic animals are impossible to miss, strutting on sidewalks, wandering on roads and grazing on the golf course.

In Radium, renting e-bikes (and other outdoor gear) is a breeze at Far Out Gear Rentals. Nearby trails and quiet town streets offer scenic views, with bighorn sheep being the only traffic to watch for along the way.

After returning bikes, stop at Conrad's Kitchen and Grill just across the street, for a meal of fresh, homemade lunch options.

On the eastern side of the village, within Kootenay National Park, the odourless Radium Hot Springs Mineral Pools offer a tranquil escape. Keep an eye on the cliffs above for bighorn sheep on their rocky perches.

Located just off Radium’s main roundabout, The Steamboat Lounge + Forage immediately catches the eye with its striking timber architecture. Inside the stylish atmosphere and attentive staff are impressive, but the food steals the spotlight. From the Spicy ‘Cauli’ Crispys to the Bison Sliders Trio, there’s something for every craving. Indulge with the Chocolate Mousse Cake.

For more information about The Village of Radium Hot Springs visit radiumhotsprings.com.

As the Kootenays road trip draws to a close, grab a coffee and breakfast, or a sandwich to go from a local favourite Big Horn Cafe. Spend the last morning following the gurgling Sinclair Creek through the Village of Radium. The easy trail and gentle sounds a tranquil farewell to the region as you make your way back to Calgary.