Find island zen in Slocan Valley with ferries, hot springs, hiking trails
Nakusp, BC While it’s nestled into interior BC, Nakusp immediately hits you with the feel of being on an island. Coming from east or west, it takes a ferry to get here, so only those who really know its allure make the journey.
“Of course, taking the ferry is something a little bit special,” explains Olivier Amaru, travelling BC from Tahiti and French Polynesia. Amaru is a repeat visitor to the Arrow Slocan region, returning for that special feeling of getting away from it all.
Likely the Arrow Slocan region is one you’ve never heard of, but after spending a few days there, it’s easy to see what makes the Slocan Valley so special. You're surrounded by Kootenay mountains, lakes and hot springs, dotted with local towns where history is rooted in community.
Watch > Why Arrow Slocan
Find out why this lesser-known BC region attracts travelvers with its zen-inducing island style, featuring ferries, hot springs and hiking trails
VIDEO EMBED HERE
The journey has taken me to the village of Nakusp and a piece of Slocan Valley history, craft beer in hand as I look outside to a view of Saddleback Mountain lit up in a beautiful sunset.
Back in 2006, The Nakusp Bowling Alley closed. But they kept the wood and used it to build a table and a bar right here at the brand new Nakusp Brewery.
It’s here that I am writing, post a day exploring the Arrow Slocan region's array of small mountain towns home to small business epics.
It’s here in the centre of the Slocan Valley, next to the Nakusp Brewery that you’ll find a Saturday farmers market through October offering the most organic stands of signature art, veggies and fresh bounty.
As my colleague Curtis and I met with over 20 travelers over the two days of our visit, we sought to answer the question: why is this the best place you have never heard of and why it’s a journey worth taking.
As we talked to people three themes kept rising to the top:
relaxed: “it’s so quite here”
uncrowded: a total absence of the hustle and bustle
natural: some of the best hiking and biking with hot springs for après
“I come here for two days, and I feel like I had a week of relaxation,” says Paul Elliott, visiting for a bike race from Kelowna.
“I enjoy coming here just for the little shops, across really funky small mountain towns like Silverton or New Denver,” explains Nelson resident Kelly Noel.
“Shops that you would never expect to be here, even the quality of the bike store (Shon’s Bike and Ski in Nakusp), or getting out of the towns and onto the bike trails of the area.”
Relax in Arrow Slocan
Soak up fall in amazing landscapes, friendly towns, lush with hot springs and fresh produce.
For bikers, go explore the 50-kilometer Slocan Valley Rail Trail.
Or get in touch with Bike Nakusp to inquire about their bike shuttle service up Mount Abriel.
A journey worth taking
The journey is what makes it most unique. You are here on what I would describe as an island all its own, and moving at Kootenay time, a space all its own.
For most, travellers must access Arrow Lake—that makes up the Slocan Valley—via an inter provincial ferry system.
Coming south from Revelstoke off the Number One Highway, you take the Galina Bay Ferry, south. Coming from Vernon or the Okanagan, you take the Needles Ferry, east.
Both ferries are free and run every half an hour, with no pre reservation required.
“It's a journey worth taking because it's so peaceful,” explains Calgarian Quentin Blindenbach.
“We always wait till the kids go back in school and always come out in September or early October for two or three weeks in the fall just to relax.”
Know before you go
Arrow Slocan offers a solid array of accommodations, with the absence of any of the big chains.
One of the big appeals is the ability to stay strolling distance to hot springs.
Hiking in Arrow Slocan offers some of the finest you'll find in BC. One suggestion I heard a few times was Saddleback Mountain if you want to really get somewhere—a five-to-six-hour hike.
Saddleback is a 10 km hike with a 360 degree view from the fire lookout station at the top, with a first-come first-served overnight hut option to stay up there.
Mountain biking Arrow Slocan: head to Shon’s in Naksup who will get you sorted. These guys are legends within BC’s mountain bike community, old school to the core and have done so much to give back.
Hot Springs in the Slocan Valley: take your pick of five hot springs, from commercial to natural and a stellar array of truly unique communities.
Share your adventure, let us know what you uncover, tag ZenSeekers and ArrowSlocan in your posts so we might be able to engage with you and share your story.