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About the Trail Sections Getting out on the Elk Valley About the Elk Valley/ For full descriptions, visit the Elk Valley Trail Kiosks which are indicated Trail around each town Trans Canada Trail on the reverse side map with this symbol The longest recreational trail in the world, the Trans Canada Trail offers a Elkford range of activities through a variety of landscapes embodying the vastness The Elk Valley Trail is easily accessible from the Town Centre, and can be Round Prairie to Elkford (Mountain Walk Trail) of our country and the diversity of its people. 24,000 kilometres of trails traced both north and south from here. LENGTH OF TRAIL SECTION: Elkford (Mountain Walk) to Round Prairie stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic Oceans link Canadians Upper Elk Valley 7.6km / Mountain Walk to Elkford Kiosk at Fording Heading north: From behind the Aquatic Centre, follow the Boivin Creek in close to 1,000 communities. Highway 2.4km Trail upstream. Cross Fording Drive and follow the trail through Peace A 130 kilometre section of the TYPE OF TRAIL: Forest Service Road to the north. The Mountain Walk Park. This trail will spill out onto the gravel section of Natal Road, which The Elk Valley Trail (EVT) is one of these links, connecting the Elk Lakes/ Trail is a graded, dirt trail. you can follow uphill to the Mountain Walk Kiosk located on the right side High Rockies Trail to the Cranbrook/Wardner Trail. It is the gateway to Trans Canada Trail connecting the of the road. This trail extends 7.6 km north from the kiosk to Round Prairie British Columbia from the east. The EVT traverses over mountainsides and communities of Elkford, Sparwood, Fernie Elkford to Line Creek where you can continue on towards the Elk Pass/Alberta Border or turn through the Elk River Valley while providing a combination of single-track, south onto the Upper Elk Valley Road back towards town. and Elko to the Cranbrook/Wardner Trail LENGTH OF TRAIL SECTION: Elkford Kiosk at Fording Highway to backcountry roads and existing community trails to create an impressive Line Creek Kiosk 18.5km Heading south: From behind the Aquatic Centre, take the Boivin Creek 130 kilometre, signed route. to the South and the High Rockies Trail TYPE OF TRAIL: A 1.6 km. trail connects Fording River Road to Sulphur Crossover Bridge and follow the trail south until it intersects Boivin Road. at Elk Pass to the North Springs Road. 4.2 km of trail combined with low volume forestry road. Turn left onto Boivin Road until it intersects Alpine Way. Turn left again until you reach the 4-way intersection on Highway #43. From there go straight Line Creek to Lower Elk Valley Road and cross the Elk River and in another 80 m the Elk Valley Trail diverts onto Lost Lake Road, which will head south towards the Sulphur Springs LENGTH OF TRAIL SECTION: Line Creek Kiosk to Lower Elk Valley Road and the Line Creek Kiosk. You can also choose to take the Lost and Lily Kiosk 17.8km Lake trails from this trailhead instead which make a nice loop. TYPE OF TRAIL: Road and gravel trail. Sparwood Lower Elk Valley Road to Sparwood Beginning at the Titan Truck / Tourist Info Site, follow the signage to the LENGTH OF TRAIL SECTION: Lower Elk Valley Road Kiosk to Sparwood Middletown #3 Underpass, where the Elk Valley Trail connects to the Kiosk 5.9km Mountain Shadows Trail. The trail skirts around the Golf Course, and then TYPE OF TRAIL: Gravel trail to Sparwood. continues above the Campground. Singletrack has been constructed from here to Hosmer, where trail users may continue along mixed road and Sparwood to Hosmer single track for 15 km to Fernie or return to Sparwood. The residents of Fernie, Hosmer, Sparwood, Elkford and the Elk Valley welcome LENGTH OF TRAIL SECTION: Sparwood Kiosk to Hosmer Kiosk 19.2km Alternatively, the Elk Valley Trail can be navigated to the North from the trail users to enjoy the Rocky Mountains’ natural beauty. The EVT passes through same starting point. Follow Aspen Drive to the Highway 43 junction to TYPE OF TRAIL: Primarily singletrack trail with approximately 5km of low private properties whose owners have allowed the trail to be constructed on join onto the Lilac Trail, where it intersects Pine Ave. A paved trail across volume roads, connecting to Stephenson Road in Hosmer. their lands. Please respect this privilege and leave only footprints. the CPR crossing and Elk River Bridge comes out on Matevic Road. Travel Hosmer to Fernie about 1km east to where the Cypress Trail climbs up into the forest, below The EVT is a multi-use trail and non-motorized. LENGTH OF TRAIL SECTION: Sparwood Heights. Descend to Highway 43, traveling north to the Wilson Hosmer Kiosk to Fernie Aquatic Centre Kiosk 15km Creek bridge, and you will arrive at the Lower Elk Valley Road Kiosk. From Distances here the Elk Valley Trail meanders around a broad meadow towards the TYPE OF TRAIL: Approximately 6km of hydro access road and 9 km of Elk River. Follow this trail for 3.2km before returning to the Lower Elk Valley To Elk Pass/Alberta Border from Round Prairie 70km singletrack trail. Road where you can continue north to Elkford or return to Sparwood. From Round Prairie Upper Elk Valley to Mountain Walk 7.5km Fernie to Morrissey From Mountain Walk to Elkford Kiosk at Fording Highway 2.5km Fernie From Elkford Fording Highway to Line Creek Kiosk 18.5km LENGTH OF TRAIL SECTION: Fernie Aquatic Centre Kiosk to Morrissey To access the Elk Valley Trail south section, start at the Fernie Aquatic From Line Creek Fording River to Lower Elk Valley Road Kiosk 18km Kiosk 18.5km Centre Trail Hub on Pine Avenue. The Coal Creek Heritage Trail projects From Lower Elk Valley Road to Sparwood Kiosk 6km TYPE OF TRAIL: Approximately 8km of gravel road, decommissioned upstream, traversing the slope above the “Old Landfill”. It departs to the From Sparwood to Hosmer Kiosk 19km road and/or gravel forestry road, and 10km of single track trail. south and crosses Coal Creek at the River Road Extension bridge, then re- From Hosmer to Fernie Kiosk 15km establishes itself as it joins the Montane Trail network. Follow the signage From to Morrissey to Elko Fernie Coal Creek Morrissey Kiosk 18.5km as you circumnavigate below Castle Mountain to end up on a long stretch, From Morrissey Cokato to Elko Kiosk 35km LENGTH OF TRAIL SECTION: Morrissey Kiosk to Elko Kiosk 35km (8.5km) of recommissioned forest road. Newly constructed single track takes off to the left and makes its way 4.5km to connect with Cokato Road. TYPE OF TRAIL: All gravel forestry road One can return home on the road, or retrace your track on the trail to get Elko back to Fernie. LENGTH OF TRAIL SECTION: Elko Kiosk to Morrissey Kiosk 35km The trail to the north is comprised of existing trails, namely the Kootenay TYPE OF TRAIL: Gravel forestry road Elk and Old Stumpy Trails which connect to the recently upgraded Coal Discovery Trail. At a distance of 6.5km the trail crosses Deadfall where a turn downhill to the left will lead across the Hydro line and then back to town by the Golf Course. River Train Tracks Train Kiosk Locations Points of Interest Points LEGEND Road Highway Elk Valley Trail Elk Valley Trans Canada Trail Trans Secondary/Dirt Road SULPHUR SPRINGS The trail follows the Elk River to one natural spa of the early explorer’s you’ll areas. Alongside the Elk River, find Sulphur Springs . Many years ago, this secluded, natural warm spring was locally famous for its healing Bathtub , properties. Wildkat Charlie’s a seven-foot trough dug out of spruce log, still remains. LOWER ELK VALLEY LOWER ROAD ELK VALLEY Passing below the Elk View Mine, Road was, at one Lower Elk Valley time, the main highway leading north to Elkford and the head of Elk The area along the trail is rich Valley. with wildlife habitat and amazing Mt. Salter views of Mt. Washburn, and Sheep Mountain as well some incredible pasture land that is home to elk, black bear and moose. Take some time to explore the Big Ranch Conservation Area , the Elk River and Regional Park just north the Elk Valley of Line Creek. All these locations diverse are abundant with the region’s flora and fauna. HOSMER rise to its brief fame began Hosmer’s in 1906 when the Canadian Pacific Railway established the Pacific Coal Company to take charge of the mining Most of the operation in Hosmer. old town is gone now but along the nearby mountainside, hidden in the deep brush, lie the magnificent and ghostly ruins of the mine site . Forty- six of the original coke ovens are still Up on the mountain standing today. you can also find the old pioneer cemetery . CREEK HERITAGE COAL TOWNSITE TRAIL - OLD follows The Coal Creek Heritage Trail Coal Creek upstream to the Old ruins . Heritage interpretive Townsite panels along the path provide adventurous with an insight into the past. lives and culture of Fernie’s Enjoy your exploration! RUINS COKE OVEN MORRISSEY AT Morrissey is like many ‘ghost’ towns which sprung up in the Elk Valley around the coal mines and died after the reserves became exhausted, unprofitable or simply too much effort to maintain. Evidence of Morrissey’s mining past can be discovered at the coke oven ruins located upstream alongside Morrissey Creek. ROUND PRAIRIE There are several forestry recreation Forest sites along the Elk Valley Service Road including Round Prairie , Creek , Riverside Blue Lake , Weary and Upper Elk River . Extending 70 kilometres, this gravel road leads upstream to the source of Elk River at Elk Lakes Provincial Park. JOSEPHINE FALLS The Falls cascade twenty-five metres down a steep canyon carved by the From the Falls, embark Fording River. . on the Lost or Lily Lake Loop Trails THE LODGEPOLE - RAM RIVER WIGWAM CREEK - Situated in the midst of natural grandeur the Wigwam River is home to some of the largest cutthroat trout in southeastern British Columbia and is the single most important bull trout spawning system in the Kootenay Region. Sockeye (kokanee) salmon were introduced in the early 1970s. The Wigwam River and Lodgepole Creek are open for catch and release fly fishing.

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MULTI-USE • NON-MOTORIZED MULTI-USE ELKFORD / WALK MOUNTAIN Pristine natural wilderness is highlighted by proximity to the Elk Lakes Provincial Park , Koko Claims snowmobiling area , world class fly- a local ski fishing on the Elk River, hill and a full range of community recreational amenities. Venture Out Venture and Discover Discover these sites along the way! ELK RIVER AND FORDING RIVER The significance of the Elk River and Fording River confluence cannot be understated. As First Nations and early explorers ventured into the thick the undergrowth of the Elk Valley, navigable waters were the paths of least resistance. This location was undoubtedly a place to camp, hunt, fish and otherwise prepare for the journey upstream to discover the natural treasures that awaited. SPARWOOD Sparwood is the first BC town encountered on Highway 3 when travelling from Alberta and has an enduring community spirit, a reputation for world class hunting and fishing, and a collective community passion for outdoor adventure. Visitors should take the time to stop largest , the world’s by the TEREX Titan tandem axle truck, situated at the Sparwood Visitor Centre. HISTORIC FERNIE DOWNTOWN Whether it is magnificent forests, historically significant coal reserves, the fish and wildlife populations, or its hard-working people, Fernie has developed and preserved a thriving The social and cultural community. historic downtown business district is testament to this enduring spirit. Connected by trails that radiate out from its core, the surrounding mountains have attracted many adventurers and explorers will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. MT BROADWOOD AREA CONSERVATION This 21,000 acre (8,950 hectare) mountain property that was donated to Nature Conservancy Canada by Shell Canada in 1992 is home to a wide variety of species. The conservation area protects the wintering grounds of bighorn sheep, Other resident elk and mule deer. wildlife include moose, elk, grizzly grey wolf, cougar, and black bear, fisher and the wolverine, badger, Rocky Mountain tailed frog. COTTONWOOD TREES COTTONWOOD MORRISSEY AT The Ancient Cottonwood Interpretive winds through a grove of Trail oldest-known black the world’s cottonwood trees, some of which tower as high an eight-story building and measure up to 10 metres around. Discovered in 2003, this grove of cottonwood trees rival famed coastal cedars and Canada’s firs in both age and girth. Scientists confirmed the ages of trees, dating the oldest as more than 400 years old. They are by far the oldest known cottonwoods in the world.