Our culture embraces the spirit of mountain biking - unique, home grown, and exciting!

We have gentle railway grades that start minutes from community centres (Kaslo, Crawford Bay, Balfour and Nelson) and take you along forest trails, over restored trestle bridges and into some of the most peaceful country you’ll ever encounter.

But for those of you who need to feel their heart beating and love the surge of adrenaline pumping through their veins, we’ve got what you need: steep, rocky, technical tracks and enough stunts, ladders and big drops to keep you coming back and calling out for more.

Explore the Mountain Biking trails

WHERE TO FIND DETAILED TRAIL INFORMATION?

• The mountain bike trails in Nelson-North Shore, Crawford Bay-East Shore, and Kaslo are available online through Trail Forks.
• For professional backcountry mountain biking excursions see Retallack for details on their wicked terrain and variety of programs.

Donate – support our trails

RIDE RESPONSIBLY and support our local mountain biking clubs - without them, there would be no trails for all of us to enjoy. 

• East Shore Trail and Bike Association - donate on their site
• Kaslo Mountain Bike Club - donate on their site or through Trail Karma
• Nelson Cycling Club - donate on their site or through Trail Karma

TRAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Nelson Cycling Club Trail Announcements

NAVIGATING THE TRAILS

Get your hands on our Mountain Biking Map, it's the perfect size to slip into your backpack and hit the trails. If you would like the Mountain Biking Map mailed to you send us a note, with your name and address, and we'll happily put it in the post. Click the button below to check it out (you can even print it yourself).

Mountain Biking Map Brochure

Kootenay Dirt

8 Towns. 600+ Trails. 3 Bike Parks. Real Mountain Culture.

Mountain bike communities across the Kootenays have gathered together to showcase all that they have in their series of EPIC 8 videos. Trails weave through epic mountain and valley landscapes throughout the Kootenays. There is no shortage of awe-inspiring moments.  Pinkbike did an exclusive Story & Video showcasing our region as a worthy ride. 
Explore Kootenay Dirt and continue to ride and explore across the Kootenay region.

Nelson Mountain Biking

The Nelson Cycling Club website has up-to-date information on events and trails in the area. Nelson maintains trails in eight different areas, from Morning Mountain to Mountain Station, and over to the North Shore near Balfour and Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.

Local group rides typically happen at Gerick Cycle and Ski on Tuesdays and Sacred Ride on Wednesdays. Contact them first to confirm departure time, and possible shuttle pickups.

East Shore Mountain Biking

The East Shore of Kootenay Lake has a variety of trails including a portion of the Great Trail. Maps and information can be found on the East Shore Trail & Bike Association website. Crawford Bay trails as listed on Trailforks.

Kaslo Mountain Biking

Kaslo is well-known to adrenaline enthusiasts as well as those who are out for a gentle ride. Trails range from extreme to gentle in gorgeous country that’ll reel you in and leave you breathless. The Wagon Road Trail, which travels from Kaslo to Retallack (halfway to New Denver) is a great 20-kilometre trail for beginners. Experienced riders should give The Monster a go, an 11-kilometre round trip filled with steep jumps and technical sections that’ll remind you why you love this sport.

Looking for a rental? Kaslo E-Kruise / North Kootenay Bike Shop offers entry-level electric mountain bikes!

Bike Parks

There are bike parks in Nelson and Kaslo for those who like tricks and jumps. Nelson's bike park is immediately next to a renovated skateboard park that rivals the best in BC. Kaslo's Bike Park overlooks Kootenay Lake and Kaslo River - picturesque and perfect for the family.

Galena and Slocan Valley Trails

If you are looking for even more areas to explore by bike there are a couple more family friendly routes close by. The Galena Trail west of Kaslo is a wide, shady trail that can be ridden in both directions. This trail is frequently used by hikers and families so remember to ride respectfully and in control. One of the highlights of this great trail is the cable car that crosses Carpenter Creek. It holds one bike at a time so it provides a nice opportunity to stop and take some pictures. Just west of Nelson is the Slocan Valley Rail Trail, winding along the Slocan River for 50km between Slocan Lake and Crescent Valley. The gentle rail grade is mostly packed dirt with a short 5km section of pavement, and features delicious bakeries and eateries along the route. 

Preventing Invasive Species

The West Kootenay region is an outdoor enthusiasts paradise, with endless recreational opportunities. While enjoying all that the Kootenay Lake region has to offer please keep in mind that invasive species can act as hitchhikers and latch onto your clothing and gear. Stopping the spread of invasive species is as easy as PLAY CLEAN GO. For more details on how you can take action visit the CKISS website.

Honouring The Legacy of Trail Builders  

In the Nelson & Kootenay Lake region, we celebrate these heroes of dirt, these keepers of knowledge, these “trail fairies” that ensure the rest of us have perfect rides. Tight-knit, skilled and friendly, mountain biking clubs in Nelson, Kaslo, and the East Shore organize, fundraise and innovate year-round to share their passion for the exhilarating sport of mountain biking with their community and all who visit.

Ask any mountain biker about their favourite local trails, and you’ll probably get more than you bargained for. We love to talk about it, sometimes without being asked. Ask a trail builder about their favourite trails, and you’ll be treated to stories and knowledge only they could share. Insights into the highlight features of a project, absurd stories from when a trail was being conceived, and maybe even the history of it from the days of rigid forks and bad haircuts. In the Nelson & Kootenay Lake region, we want to celebrate these heroes of dirt, these keepers of knowledge, these “trail fairies” that ensure the rest of us have perfect rides.

Bike clubs and trail associations are rooted in communities up and down Kootenay Lake. From the Kaslo Mountain Bike Club to the Nelson Cycling Club and the East Shore Trail and Bike Association, we have these volunteers to thank for the incredible network of routes and rides that get better and better year after year. Donate or buy a membership and support our local trails. Ride Responsibly.

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Meet the Heroes behind our "Hero Dirt".