Leave the crowds behind to hike some of the quieter Rocky Mountain trails in interior BC
Discover the quiet mountain trails of interior British Columbia on this incredible guided hiking tour. The Columbia Valley Hiking Tour takes you to Invermere, Spillimacheen, and Glacier National Park to hike amazing mountains and enjoy the incredible outdoors.
You’ll love the challenging and spectacular hikes, which include The Judge and the Asulkan Valley Trail. This tour also has some special offerings for accommodations, where you’ll stay in unique locally owned spots. There’s camping, too! This guided hiking tour is the perfect exploration of some of the spectacular Rocky Mountains that are away from the crowds of popular spots.
Highlights of the Columbia Valley Hiking Tour
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Columbia Valley Hiking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Journey to Invermere
Meet your guide and fellow travellers this morning in Calgary. Enjoy the scenic drive into the foothills, and then through the spectacular Rocky Mountains.
Arrive in Invermere with enough time for a pleasant walk through the Wilmere Wetlands to discover the incredible birdlife. Then you’ll head to your rustic barn accommodations, where you’ll make dinner with the group and enjoy a relaxing evening.
Overnight Location: Barn in Invermere
Distance: 1 hour, 3km, 100m elevation gain
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2 Lake of Hanging Glacier Hike
It will be a bumpy drive through the forest to reach the Lake of Hanging Glacier trailhead, but this amazing hike will be worth it. Cross Hell Roaring Creek to get to the amazing alpine lake surrounded by majestic rocky peaks and glaciers. This hike has it all! Waterfalls, impressive glaciers, a beautiful lake, and magnificent views are waiting to be discovered.
You’ll be back at the barn in time to catch a beautiful mountain sunset.
Overnight Location: Barn in Invermere
Distance: 5 hours, 16km, 950m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Hike the Jumbo Pass Trail
Your hike today is the Jumbo Pass Trail, and the views will definitely live up to the name. As you climb above the treeline, you’ll be treated to views from 2300 meters. Take in the amazing view of Bastille Mountain before you continue to Jumbo Pass. From the pass, you’ll have breathtaking views of Jumbo and Karnak peaks and the beautiful Horseshoe Glacier.
Overnight Location: Barn in Invermere
Distance: 5 hours, 9.3km, 850m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Hike to Your Purcells Base Camp
Today you’ll leave Invermere and journey to the Purcells. Here, you’ll find a teahouse in the wilderness which will be your base for the next two nights. You’ll have to hike with your sleeping bag and gear from the teahouse to the campsite under the gaze of The Judge mountain.
Overnight Location: Wilderness camp in Purcells
Distance: 2 hours, 5.7km, 630m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Hiking on The Judge
The Judge will be the focus of today’s hike. From camp, you’ll walk to the ridgeline and follow it up to the final scramble up to the summit at 2752 meters. Take in the breathtaking views of Mount Assiniboine and the Kootenay River Valley before you hike back down to camp.
Overnight Location: Wilderness camp in Purcells
Distance: 5 hours, 7.6km, 420m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Columbia River Paddling
After breakfast, it will be time to pack up camp and hike down from the teahouse. The van will drop you off at the Columbia River, where you’ll spend a tranquil afternoon paddling the beautiful wetlands.
Tonight, you’ll find your mountain lodge accommodations in the Kootenays. Enjoy the spectacular views and excellent cuisine before you turn in for the night.
Overnight Location: Mountain lodge in Kootenays
Distance: 2 hours, 5.7km, 630m elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Hike the Perley Rock Trail
The hikes you took over the past few days will have been the perfect warm-up for today’s challenging trail. The slope begins moderately until you cross Vaux Creek, where the trail steepens as it works its way up the mountain. The views along the way of Donald and Perley Rock will inspire your climb to the final viewpoint. Enjoy the spectacular vista of the Illecillewaet Icefield at the end of the trail.
Tonight you’ll celebrate another successful hike with a barbecue dinner at the lodge.
Overnight Location: Mountain lodge in Kootenays
Distance: 5 hours, 11km, 1143m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Asulkan Valley Trail
Your final hike of the tour will be on the Asulkan Valley Trail. This trek will feature everything you could possibly want from a mountain hike! The trail is steep, but you’ll see beautiful forests, waterfalls, glaciers, and spectacular mountain views. You’ll have lunch at the teahouse at the end of the trail before starting your hike back to the lodge.
Overnight Location: Mountain lodge in Kootenays
Distance: 6 hours, 14km, 870m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 Return to Calgary
Enjoy a final breakfast in the mountains before you return to Calgary, where the tour concludes.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Columbia Valley Hiking Tour Price and Dates
Join a group for an amazing hiking tour in British Columbia!
Important notes:
Important: This tour is not available for the 2024 summer season. Please contact us for 2025 availability.
Accommodation on the Columbia Valley Hiking Tour
This tour is based in several types of special accommodations. Start your trip by staying at a charming, locally owned and operated barn conversion. Then you’re off to camp under the stars for a few nights in the Purcell Mountains. Finally, you’ll spend a few nights in a comfortable mountain lodge where you’ll be pampered with gourmet meals and luxuries not often found in the wilderness.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible (please enquire for the pricing). Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Barn in Invermere
Enjoy a unique experience at this cozy barn that has been converted to a charming accommodation. Cook communal meals and relax in the shared space.
Backcountry Camping in the Purcells
Your backcountry campsite features a rare combination of a wilderness location and access to a hot shower. Enjoy the view and the fresh alpine air.
Mountain Lodge near Glacier National Park
This cozy mountain lodge offers the little luxuries that you seldom find in the wilderness. You'll love the amazing views and excellent cuisine!
What’s Included in the Columbia Valley Hiking Tour?
Meals
8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 8 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 8 nights are included. Accommodations before or after the tour in Calgary are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for you and your luggage is included throughout the tour. You will have to carry your backpack and sleeping bag on the 5km hike to the teahouse and to your campsite on Days 4 and 5. Airport transfers are not included.
Also Included
- Certified ACMG English-speaking hiking guide
- Excursions mentioned in the itinerary
- First aid kit and emergency communication device
- Camping and cooking equipment
- First-aid kit and emergency communication device
- FICAV Contribution
Not included
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Flights to and from Calgary
- Sleeping bag, pillow, and towel
- Pre and post-tour hotel night
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
- Travel insurance
- Airport transfers
- Optional activities
- GST
Optional extras available:
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
Frequently Asked Questions about Columbia Valley Hiking Tour
The origins of Windigo date back over four hundred years to the hunt for the Northwest Passage. Sir Martin Frobisher was a principal figure in these early adventures, making several trips to the Arctic. While he didn’t find the Passage, he did bestow his name on today’s Frobisher Bay, where Iqaluit meets the sea. Little did Martin know that his descendent Charles Frobisher would start an adventure travel company many centuries later!
Since 1996, Windigo has been operating group adventure tours throughout North America. They’re proud to show off the very best of this magnificent land, from its highest snow-capped peaks to its longest roaring rivers and everything in between. A team of expert guides bring unrivalled passion to each and every adventure. Traveling with Windigo provides memories for a lifetime!
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