PROPOSED ITINERARY for the great granby loop

This is a proposed itinerary for a fit bikepacker looking for a moderately challenging route, who wishes to stay in towns along the route (as opposed to Rec Sites/wild camping).

CASTLEGAR, BC to GRAND FORKS, BC - DAY ONE - 115KM / 1188m elevation 

After loading up and rolling out of Castlegar, it’s 115km to Grand Forks along the Columbia as Western (C & W) Rail Trail, which is part of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT). While it is a rail trail, never to exceed 3% grade, it is a steady climb from the shores of the Lower Arrow Lakes to the summit at the Paulson Bridge.

The C & W is a mixed-use corridor and has recently been widened and resurfaced to make way for vehicles accessing the remote, shoreline communities. Be sure to watch for motorists, horses, and ATVers and keep an eye out for the resident Grizzly bear who resides near the big blue bridge at the Paulson Summit.

There are sheltered picnic tables and nearby pithouses along this stretch at many of the old train stops, some of them offering plaques with historic accounts of that particular area.

After hitting the high point on the C & W, you are treated to a riveting dirt descent towards Christina Lake, one of BCs warmest tree lined lakes. A swim or resupply involves a decent dip down into town, but there are a few options for restaurants, grocers and accommodations if you're so inclined. 

Otherwise, continue another 20 kilometers along the C & W next to the majestic Kettle River into Boundary Country along restored trestle bridges that carry you over deep gorges, rushing with water in spring, or mellow for a swim in summer.

Grand Forks is a great place to resupply on food, camp fuel, cold beverages and any last minute supplies before heading into the upcoming remote section and get some rest for the challenge ahead.

If you're through on a Friday, make sure to check out the Farmers Market or swing by the Wooden Spoon or Boardroom Cafe for a great breakfast and delicious coffee. The Grand Forks Brewing Co. serves up some nice craft beer, and a sunny front patio with an adjacent food truck, making for an excellent spot to people watch. 

Seasons Bike shop had parts and repair services and Fresh Tracks Outdoor Store sells camp goods. 

Grand Forks has a municipal campground and plenty of motels and hotels to spend the night. 

GRAND FORKS, BC TO EDGEWOOD, BC - DAY TWO - 115KM, 1096m elevation 

After stocking up on supplies, the route cruises through town on the Trans Canada Trail and takes a turn along North Forks Road which parallels the graceful Granby River. This stretch of serene valley bottom features a fun, flowy, fast traverse of quality pavement shared mainly with birds, bees and a light breeze.

At the confluence of the Granby River and Burrell Creek rests the wide, flat and spacious Burrell-Granby BC Rec Site with a handful of camp spots, pit houses, picnic tables and a great map of the forest services roads (FSRs) in the area. 

After this, the route turns to dirt, starting as the Gable Creek FSR before turning north and gradually climbing its way along the Burrell Creek FSR towards the summit. There are no official camp spots along the Burrell FSR, but you'll find a few makeshift pull outs that will do in a pinch. 

Once up and over the Burrell, you connect to the Worthington FSR and get rewarded with a wicked descent into the eclectic village of Edgewood.

Edgewood is home to a beautiful lakefront campground with hot showers and stunning vistas, it’s a great spot to pitch a tent. The gas station/general store is a short ride from the campground, has great hours, loads of groceries, a small selection of hot food as well as alcohol, camping supplies and plenty of miscellaneous items. 

This is another great place to resupply before heading onto remote Whatshan Lake.

EDGEWOOD, BC TO NAKUSP, BC - DAY THREE - 85 KM, 1063m elevation 

After a cruisy ten kilometers of paved road through the Edgewood Valley to the junction with Highway 6, the route turns right and grinds up the road to the Whatshan Lake Road turnoff. 

This dirt road takes travelers towards Stevens Creek & Richy Rec Site, both of which are nestled along the shores of Whatshan Lake and can be busy on weekends in the summer.

Stay left on Whatshan Lake Road to hit the Hippy Hole, a great cliff jumping and swimming spot for those super sunny days. Park your bike by the barrier and walk in.

Both Richy Rec Site & Stevens Creek Rec Site offer beautiful (and free) lakeshore camping, pit toilets, picnic tables and beautiful views of the Monashee Mountains. No matter the crowds, it seems there is always somewhere to pitch a tent.

From here, the route continues along Whatshan FSR before connecting with Stevens FSR and descending gleefully to the Arrow Park ferry. 

Arrow Park Ferry operates on demand daily from 5A - 9:20P with a lunch break between 12:05 - 2:15P and the barge is free to ride. 

Once you arrive on the other side, you’ll quickly connect with Highway 6 for an enjoyable ride along the east side of Upper Arrow Lakes to the town of Nakusp. The road is relatively quiet mid-week and especially quiet in shoulder season. Since the road is capped by the Fauquier-Needles ferry traffic on one end, vehicles mostly come in short spurts.

Nakusp is another great place for resupply and provides lots of good restaurants, local grocers and tasty treats, as well as camping grounds, glamping options, hotels and motels and a laundromat. 

Be sure to try the tapas at Bella Soriah, the pizza and Angry Hen Beer or Burton City Cider at Arrow and Anchor, the locally made artisan chocolates at Jennifer Chocolates, the coffee at Mountain Top Cafe and the beef jerky at Jill & Hoss’s Bistro.

You are also close to the Nakusp Hot Springs, a steady but worthwhile 13km paved climb (+420m) that starts just 2km north of town. There are a few small cabins to rent and plenty of tenting space up at the hot springs. 

Nakusp is also home to Shon’s Bike Shop, which provides an opportunity to get any bike maintenance and parts you might need and has a cool bike museum within it’s walls. The next section of riding is remote and without cell service or resources, so best to be prepared for anything.

NAKUSP, BC - SLOCAN CITY, BC - DAY FOUR - 95KM, 1664m Elevation

From Nakusp, the route climbs out of town on the recently repaired  Nakusp & Slocan (N & S) Rail Trail. You'll ride the dirt until you cross paths with Wilson Lake Road. 

Here you can choose to ascend an exciting and at times, rough and rocky, but quiet and adventurous forest service road that passes by multiple freshwater lakes, and BC rec sites, each providing picnic tables, pit houses, free places to pitch a tent and easy access to the water.

OR

Take the mellower, but equally stunning N & S Rail Trail towards Rosebery where the routes will reunite.

On Wilson Lake Road you will pass Wilson Lake, Little Wilson Lake and Beaver Lake and then rip down the dirt road alongside raging Wilson Creek. 

The Wilson Lake Road pops out at Rosebery, where you can choose to visit the Rosebery Provincial Park or continue across the highway to connect with the Galena Trail towards New Denver. 

New Denver is home to New Market Foods grocery, the unique Adventure Domes accommodations and Wild Cycles of Canada, run by Rob Ferrell's a local trail builder who fixes bikes on the weekends in a historic character home on the main street.

From New Denver, the route follows Highway 6 through the charming, historic town of Silverton which has great snacks and coffee at the Silverton Camp Cafe and offers a glimpse into the history of the Japanese internment camps of the area at the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre and the Kohan Reflection Gardens. 

From here, you’ll be climbing the pavement until a turn off takes you off onto Red Mountain Road. If you prefer the pavement, stay on the highway and check out the Slocan Viewpoint at the roadside pullout.

After a great traverse towards Slocan, keep an eye out for your exit off the highway onto the Old Slocan Highway, hidden behind some barriers and not at all well marked. 

From here, it’s an awesome descent into Slocan with one crux, a short tunnel crossing that has large fallen rocks blocking a straight through path. 

Many loaded cyclists can maneuver through the rocks with creativity but some may have to remove their bags to squeeze through (you can also choose to stay on the highway and take the main entrance into Slocan City but it adds elevation and is less fun!) 

Cut through Slocan and grab some snacks at Flaca’s Bakery or the Slocan Village Market store, or fill your belly with tasty smoked meats at The Grizz Food Truck often found at the Mountain Valley Gas Station. 

Springer Creek Campground is located at the edge of town, or treat yourself to a night in the recently remodeled Slocan Hotel on historic Herald Street.

SLOCAN CITY, BC TO CASTLEGAR, BC - DAY FIVE - 70KM, 406m elevation 

At the edge of the waterfront in Slocan City, you'll link up to the stunning Slocan Valley Rail Trail (SVRT).

The SVRT is well maintained, and will take you the full 50 km along the beautiful Slocan River, passing through quaint and eclectic communities like Winlaw, Slocan Park and Crescent Valley (all of which have grocery stores and/or gas stations).

Winlaw offers good fare at Mama Sita's restaurant, and on Sundays you can get a great coffee and croissant at the Valley Kitchen.

The SVRT provides nearby campgrounds, and eclectic accommodations, beautiful benches at pristine viewpoints, well placed pit houses and spectacular riding through the valley. 

The south end offers access to Frog Peak Cafe in Crescent Valley, but they close by 3!

There are opportunities to wild camp along the rail trail, though we love staying the night at Karibu Cottages and Campground in Winlaw. 

At the Crescent Valley bridge, you’ll turn off the trail and connect with the meandering likes of Pass Creek Road and traverse through small communities with sudden, short bursts of elevation and fast, paved descents. 

The road can get tight at times, so be sure to have high visibility clothes and a blinking rear light so the locals (who are used to road riders) can see you in the corners and over the climbs.

At the south end of the road, set your GPS for the Lions Head Pub on Broadwater Road and celebrate your accomplishments with some fabulous food, delicious local beers, and a refreshing dip in Lower Arrow Lake.

Congratulations, you made it!