This charming BC city in the middle of two rivers has a historic suspension bridge

Situated between two major rivers (Kootenay and Columbia), the small city of Castlegar, British Columbia has no shortage of hiking, paddling, and biking opportunities to enjoy. And this time of year, the area comes alive with golden larch trees lining the mountain slopes with gold. Fancy a trip there? We don’t blame you!

Hiking & paddling

Thanks to the Castlegar Parks and Trails Society and the Kootenay Mountaineering Club, there are dozens of well-maintained hikes to embark on, from casual strolls surrounded by fall colours to multi-hour journeys through diverse watersheds.

This includes the following trails: 

• Waldie Island
• Pass Creek
• Merry Creek
• Mel Deanna
• Dove Hill
• Little McPhee Waterfall

Those still looking to enjoy some water adventures this season can rent a canoe or stand-up paddleboard, race down the whitewater rapids, or take a dip in the nearby Arrow Lakes, Slocan, or Kootenay Lake.

For those looking for something more thrilling, the Slocan River has class III rapids, and there are ‘standing waves’ near the historic Brilliant Suspension Bridge.

Suspension bridge

Constructed in 1913 through community labour, the bridge marks a historic achievement by the Doukhobors of Canada in establishing settlements in the Kootenay Boundary region during the early 20th century.

For fifty years, the bridge connected Doukhobor settlements on both sides of the Kootenay River, serving as a vital transportation link, according to Parks Canada.

Today, it exists as a National Historic Site and part of the famed Trans Canada Trail.

The Labarthe Tunnel

Another fun landmark to spot (if you’re lucky and tides are low) is the abandoned Labarthe Tunnel, a former rail tunnel that predates the hydroelectric dams in Castlegar.

“Located on Lower Arrow Lake, just west of Castlegar, the tunnel is 187 feet long or 57 metres. Most of the time it’s submerged during high water levels, but Robyn timed this photo recently to coincide with exceptionally low levels,” shares Destination Castlegar on Instagram. 

In terms of getting to Castlegar, visitors can fly into West Kootenay Regional Airport via Air Canada Jazz.

There’s a free shuttle service from their airport (10 minutes from downtown Castlegar) via West Kootenay Adventure Tours.

So there you have it, fall adventurers! Whether it’s a fall hike, a paddling tour, or some sightseeing in town, there’s plenty to discover in Castlegar this season.

Castlegar

How to get there: Drive seven hours from Vancouver via Crowsnest Highway/BC-3 E.

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