Kindersley-Sinclair Loop hike
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Kindersley-Sinclair Loop hike
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The Kindersley-Sinclair Loop hike is a classic hike in Kootenay National Park. This is a beautiful hike that takes you through several different landscapes in Kootenay National Park. From meadows of beautiful wildflowers to sprawling vistas of the surrounding peaks, as well as dense forest this hike has it all. The Kindersley Sinclair Loop is a perfect day hike in Kootenay National Park.
WARNING: Even though this trail is open for public, it is adviced to be extremely cautious due to hazardous trail conditions. This trail wasn't maintained yet during this summer, therefore be prepared for washed-out bridges, deadwood and extensive erosion.
Getting there
From Radium, take the 93S highway into Kootenay National Park. There are two parking lots, we suggest parking in Sinclair Parking lot, 7.5mi east of Radium and finishing in Kindersley Pass Parking Lot, 6.8mi east of Radium. These parking lots are not well signed and appear more as pull-offs on the road.
About
| When to do | July - September |
| Backcountry Campsites | No |
| Pets allowed | Yes - On Leash |
| Family friendly | No |
| Route Signage | Poor |
| Crowd Levels | Low |
| Route Type | Circuit |
Kindersley-Sinclair Loop
Elevation Graph
Weather
Route Description for Kindersley-Sinclair Loop
The Kindersley-Sinclair Loop hike has two parking lots: Kindersley Pass Parking Lot and Sinclair Creek Parking lot. We recommend using a car shuttle, as you need to walk between the two parking lots at the end, and the walk is along the busy (and narrow) 93S highway. We like to start at the Sinclair parking lot and finish at the Kindersley Pass parking lot, as the Sinclair parking lot is at a higher elevation, which means less elevation gain on the walk.
Before setting off on the Kindersley-Sinclair Loop, you should check if there is a hiking restriction due to bears in the area. It’s best to check with Kootenay National Park bulletins, as there is often a restriction of hiking in a minimum group size of 4 people, and the maximum distance between group members is 10ft.
From the Sinclair Parking lot on Highway 93S, head immediately downhill and take a right up the signed path, the route roughly follows Sinclair Creek up the valley. After walking 1.1mi you will cross a bridge over Sinclair Creek.
Continue hiking up the valley, and after roughly 2.3mi you will come to wonderful meadows with wildflowers. These flowers are Incredible in late-July and early-August, though that time of year can change depending on each year.
Continue to follow the path as it goes up valley and then trends to the right. The views as the valley opens up are great, but they get phenomenal roughly 3.6mi from the car, as you reach tree line.
After roughly 4.7mi you get to Kindersley-Sinclair Col, and the views are spectacular. Just south from the Col is a small hump of a peak. The map shows the route to the top of it, and it is highly recommended to continue to that small peak.
Return from the small peak to Kindersley-Sinclair Col and then continue along the trail as it descends for roughly 0.9mi to Kindersley Pass. The pass isn’t an epic pass, as you’re in the trees, in fact we didn’t notice it on our hike.
From Kindersley Pass it’s an 5.4mi hike mostly downhill through a pretty forest path that takes you to the Kindersley Pass parking lot.
Find other great hikes in Kootenay National Park:
Insider Hints
This is Grizzly Bear country and by mid-summer access is usually limited to groups of four or more. Check out this website to see if this is currently the case.
If you don’t have a 2nd car to shuttle, you could go up via Sinclair Creek to Kindersley-Sinclair and retrace your route to your car. You could also park at Kindersley Parking lot and walk on the 93S to start the hike, though be aware that this is a busy road and part of the walk has a very small shoulder.
You are so close to Radium, it makes sense to drive the 7.5mi to Radium Hot Springs, which is open until 11pm in summer.
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YukihiroSato 4 years ago
Good hike I enjoy a lot. Thank you
AnnSue 4 years ago
I loved the shape of the surrounding mountains in here. We took so many photos at the top. Just have to be wary of bears roaming around. Although we did not encounter one. Had a great hike here!
Hiking-eh 4 years ago
Beautiful hike. Best in summer when the beauty of the valley is in full bloom!
solosurferr 4 years ago
Take this one with a group, it's a popular one with the bears. Really beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and worth the somewhat iffy trail conditions. Not super easy but worth it in my opinion!
Rowan Sanders 4 years ago
Very nice hike. Easy grade. Had to turn back 1km short of the pass due to two bears standing on trail.
WendyMag. 4 years ago
The meadows are absolutely gorgeous and worth it .The incline is steady which is easier for beginner. Be bear aware, we saw lots of bear signs and tracks. Better to travel with groups.
AveryJ. 4 years ago
I captured interesting shots here despite the gray skyand dark clouds! It was terrific!
Meighan 4 years ago
You'll be regulated to hike in groups of four due to grizzly bears roaming the area. Don't forget to bring an anti bear spray. Overall, amazing views and worth the hike.
SophieM. 5 years ago
The hike was very frustrating at some parts because of the rocky path and steep ascends but it was INCREDIBLE!
Teddy Lumber 5 years ago
This hike is lovely! best to plan and arrange shuttle,to avoid any trouble getting there.