Coal Creek Heritage Trail June 2026

WELCOME to

COAL CREEK

Photos courtesy of Tourism Fernie / Vince Mo

HERITAGE TRAIL

Fernie exists today because of the‘ black gold’

discovered and mined underground up Coal
Creek from 1897 to 1958. This was a time
when“ Coal was King”, fueling steam trains and
industry, as well as heating homes.

The first metallurgical coal mine in the Elk Valley

was up this valley. Coal Creek Collieries started
an industry that has fueled Fernie’ s economy for
over 125 years. Coal was transported to Fernie
from the mine several kms east to be loaded
onto the Canadian Pacific Railway( CPR), only
metres from where you now stand.

Today, four massive open pit coal mines near

Sparwood and Elkford drive our regional
industrial engine. But a new magnet keeps

Sukiⱡq̓ukni kinwakiⱡ ʔamakʔis Qukin!

Welcome To Raven’ s Land

We recognize that we live, work and play within within Qukin ʔamakʔis, the unceded traditional territory of Yaq̓it ʔa · knuqⱡi’ it.

The ʔakanuxunik’ members of Yaq̓it ʔa · knuqⱡi’ it First Nation( in English,“ Tobacco Plains Indian Band”) are the distinct group of Indigenous people who have occupied, controlled and been exclusive stewards over their unceded ancestral lands since time immemorial.

ʔakanuxunik’ people- the people that are from where the water comes out of the mountain- are one of the seven Bands of the Ktunaxa( Kootenai) speaking peoples of British Columbia, Idaho and Montana.

Seeking Treasure

Fuels Your Adventure:

Wayfinding Map Legend

INTERPRETIVE SIGN LOCATIONS

1a

1a

1b

1b

Seeking Treasure

Fernie’ s Present

2 Ribbon of Rail

3 First Conservationists

4 Coal on East Side

5 Camaraderie

6 Wealth Fuelled Hope

7 Above & Below Ground

8 Community Life

9 Home for Wildlife

10

Modern Town

11

Danger Death

POINTS OF INTEREST

1 Aquatic Centre

2 Fernie Rod & Gun Club Range

2

3 # 5 Mine

3

4 Machine Shop

4

5 Powerhouse Foundation

5

6 Old Townsite

6

7 Football Field

8 Suspension Bridge

8

9 Matheson Falls

10

Tipple Foundation

14 Ammonite Fossil

11

15 Montane Trailhead

12

Take a photo of this legend for reference along the trail

YOU ARE HERE 0 km

people here; the healthy mountain environment

and active lifestyle.

• North America’ s largest ammonite fossil

• Ruins of a once thriving coal mining town that

12

13a

Trying Times

Amazing Ammonite

1 Fossil Stewardship
13b

While you adventure on the Coal Creek Heritage
operated for 60 years

14

14 Fish and Fun

AQUATIC CENTRE

FERNIE

12

1a 1 2

1b

17

16

MONTANE TRAILHEAD

INTERPRETIVE SIGN LOCATIONS

POINTS OF INTEREST

COAL CREEK RD

RIVER RD- Closed to motorized vehicles

15

P

2
3

Trail( CCHT), listen for the echoes of Fernie’ s

hard-earned industrial past and whispers of its
bright future. Seeking the treasures of historic
relics, colourful stories and natural beauty, you
will connect with Fernie’ s past and present.

14

4

12

• Spectacular Canadian Rocky Mountain

scenery and peaceful nature

• Fascinating history including the story of

one of BC’ s worst mine disasters

• Thundering, crystal clear Matheson Creek falls

and meandering Coal Creek

5 3

10

6

4 8 6 7

5

11

10

15 Mountains are Magnets

15

16

Montane Barn

17 16 Beyond the Trail

7

9 8

MATHESON FALLS TRAIL

9
FERNIE TRAILS ALLIANCE

11

13b

13a

AMMONITE TRAIL

approx. 1 km

Coal Creek Heritage Trail

Coal Creek Heritage Trail- Phase 2
Other Trail
Road
Road- Closed