Getting Here
Fernie is situated in the heart of the Canadian
Rocky Mountains in south-eastern British
Columbia. Self-drive touring holidays are highly
recommended along the scenic Crowsnest
Highway #3.
Driving times to Fernie
By Air: The nearest major airport is Calgary
International - YYC. Daily connector flights
from Calgary and Vancouver International
Airport – YVR are available to Cranbrook
Airport (Canadian Rockies International –
YXC), located 1.25 hours from Fernie. Visitors
can also arrive via Glacier International Airport
in Kalispell, Montana or Spokane, Washington
and travel to Fernie by rental car.
FROM THE WEST, BC
Cranbrook: 1 hr
Cranbrook Airport: 1.25 hrs
Kimberley: 1.25 hrs
Nelson: 4 hrs
Kelowna: 7.5 hrs
Vancouver: 12 hrs
FROM THE SOUTH
Roosville US Border Crossing, MT: 30 minutes
Whitefish, MT: 1.5 hrs
Kalispell, MT: 2.5 hrs
Spokane, WA: 5 hrs
Yellowstone, WY: 9 hrs
Portland, OR: 11 hrs
By Road: Fernie is located on Highway #3. The
nearest US border crossing is at Roosville, open
24 hours. Rental car agencies & RV rentals are
available at or near all airports.
FROM THE EAST/NORTH
Sparwood, BC: 20 minutes
Crowsnest Pass, AB: 45 minutes
Calgary, AB: 3 hours
Calgary Airport, AB: 3.5 hours
Banff, AB: 4 hrs
Edmonton, AB: 6 hrs
Saskatoon, SK: 9 hrs
Winnipeg, MB: 15 hrs
Ski shuttle: Daily scheduled services available
during the winter ski season between Calgary
Airport and Fernie. Charter service available
from Cranbrook. Daily #Ferniestoke local ski
shuttle between town and Fernie Alpine Resort
(5km) during the winter season.
Fernie fast facts:
• Established in 1898,
population 5,249
• Town elevation 1,010
metres / 3,314 feet
• 375 km / 233 miles of
hiking and biking trails
• Annual winter average
of over 9 metres / 30
feet of snow
Town, Trail & River Maps -View online at tourismfernie.com/maps
• 20+ trails (of which over 10 are of easy difficulty
• Chairlift accessed sightseeing and hiking trails
• Guided & Specialty Hikes available
• Dining & on-site lodging options available
• On-mountain Interpretive Centre
Calgary,
AB - 3 hrs. | 250-423-2435
skifernie.com
Cranbrook, BC - 1 hr.
Spokane, WA - 4 hrs.
Edmonton, AB - 6 hrs.
Vancouver, BC - 10 hrs.
Lethbridge, AB - 2.5 hrs.
islandlakelodge.com | 250-423-3700
Trail Etiquette & Safety:
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Island Lake
Lodge
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Gro
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Trai
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< To
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PRO
MT.
VINC
FERN
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PARK
GORBY
BRIDGE
• Always watch the weather conditions as they can change
quickly in mountain environments.
Elk River Geocache
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3
ROA
D
She
rwo
ody
4
4th
St.
Fernie
Aquatic Centre
P
P
3
Police P / Fire / Ambulance 911
COA
L CRE
EK
www.ferniesnowmobile.com
• Motorized vehicles are prohibited
For more information on hiking
in Fernie:
P
James White
Park
Mount Fernie
Provincial Park
Ascent Helicopters 250-423-1443
Bighorn Helicopters 250-423-4118
Fernie Hospital: 250-423-4453, 1501 5Ave
• Do not go off designated trails
Elkriveralliance.com
St.
elkriveralliance.ca
• Bring water and pack snacks for your day to keep up
your energy levels.
tourismfernie.com | #ferniestoke
11th
Explore the 220km Elk River through a
series of dedicated Geocaches. Follow the
clues and discover them all!
More details at: elkriveralliance.ca/geocache
Annex Park
P
P
Islan
d La
Maiden
Lake
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2
West
Fernie
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[email protected]
Fernie
Alpine Resort
Surrounded by the Canadian Rocky mountains &
spectacular views, Fernie has an abundance of easy
hiking trails and nature walks for all levels of ability.
From magical old-growth forests to unique
geological features, Fernie’s flora, fauna and
geography will fascinate and delight the senses.
Explore with family and friends or hire a guide at
Island Lake Lodge, Fernie Alpine Resort or Wild
Nature Tours. Scenic nature walks and riverside
trails offer shady parks, picnic spots and viewpoints
for picture-perfect family photos.
3
P
North
Fernie
Bridge
Mount
Fernie
• Respect the privilege of accessing trails within private land.
16
46
FA
IR
Y
• Be aware of wildlife, make noise, keep dogs on leash and carry bear spray
• Respect the environment and leave no trace. All garbage must be
packed out & deposited in proper receptacles.
Recommended
Books & Apps:
Elk River Map Guide
Handbook of the Canadian Rockies by Ben Gadd
Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia & Inland
Northwest by Lloyd, Antos, Coupe & Parish
Backroad Mapbook, Kootenay Rockies BC
iBird Pro App: North America
Open late June - early Sept
• 100 kms of hiking trails from easy walks to full day hikes
• Easy trails include the Old Growth, Lake, Fir & Rail Trails
• ½ Day Guided Interpretive Hikes available
Fish, Amphibians
& Reptiles
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Long-toed Salamander
Bull Trout
Western Toad
Western Painted Turtle
Common Garter Snake
Fernie Alpine Resort
6
Open early June - October
Moose
Rocky Mountain Elk
Mule Deer
White-tailed Deer
Coyote
Red Fox
North American River Otter
American Pine Marten
American Black Bear
Grizzly Bear
Mountain Goat
Bighorn Sheep
Grey Wolf
Little Brown Bat
Snowshoe Hare
Common Pika
Beaver
Muskrat
Meadow Vole
Deer Mice
Red Squirrel
Least Chipmunk
Columbian Ground Squirrel
Dusky Shrew
Easy Hikes & Nature Walks
Island Lake Lodge
Common Merganser
Ruffed Grouse
Great Blue Heron
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Spotted Sandpiper
Great Horned Owl
Northern Pygmy-Owl
Rufous Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Steller’s Jay
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Pacific Wren
American Dipper
Mountain Bluebird
Varied Thrush
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Dark-eyed Junco
Western Tanager
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
5
Mammals
Spot these iconic species in the Elk Valley:
Birds
Hiking in Fernie
Birding & Wildlife
Viewing in Fernie
Wild Nature Tours & Workshops | 250-423-3322
Island Lake Lodge | 250-423-3700
Fernie Alpine Resort | 250-423-4655
Canyon Raft Company | 250-423-7226
Mountain High River Adventures | 250-423-5008
Fernie Wilderness Adventures | 250-423-6704
Scheduled and custom guided interpretive hikes, tours
and float trips are available with:
Guided Hikes
and Nature Tours
Castle
Mountain
Fernie Visitor Information Centre
102 Commerce Road | 250-423-6868
Ferniechamber.com
Fernie Trails Alliance
Fernietrailsalliance.com
Tourism Fernie
Tourismfernie.com/activities/hiking
tourismfernie.com | #ferniestoke