Reflect and rejuvenate in the Slocan Valley

Four reasons why the Slocan Valley is a must-visit

If you're ready for a nature experience with cultural connections that will transform your connection to Western Canada, the Slocan Valley is where you need to be.

1. Rejuvenate yourself on a hot springs tour 

With the region's lush and abundant waterways, simply connect four or five of them over a three-day soak-and-savour road trip.

2. Reflect on our past, with intention, on the Japanese-Canadian Legacy Trail.

Experiences including New Denver’s Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre and Kohan Reflection Garden, give a look into some of Canada’s darker past in how our Government treated early Japanese settlers to this country.

These education stops are reminders of our past and locations to not let our leaders make future mistakes.  

These locations make up parts of what is known as the Japanese Canadian Legacy Trail.  

“I visit the Slocan Valley at least once a year,” explains Mayuko Dreger, who emigrated from Japan to BC thirty-two years ago. “Coming from Calgary to this area, I feel a connection to my ancestors.”

3. Reconnection to nature, via a digital detox.

If you are a fan of the outdoors, this is a digital detox series of destinations that, when strung together, stoke the soul through natural connections including epic waterfall hikes, soothing waterfront strolls, to mixing with community members whose pace is far from a “city normal” in all the right ways.

4. A unique forest bathing experience, with Alpenglow’s Shinrin-Yuko.

Alpenglow’s Shinrin-Yuko guided hiking experience is "designed for travellers who want to slow down,” explains Nakusp-based hiking tour guide Karla Kuharic. 

“When Shinrin-Yuko (or forest bathing) originated in the 80s in Japan, this was at a time when their country was very tech-heavy and the government recognized the importance of getting back to natural connection,” she explains.

As our ZenSeekers crew experienced this spring, through her company Alpenglow Mountain Escapes, Kuharic offers a two to three-hour nature connection.  

The guided walk/short hike originates from the Nakusp Hot Springs, travels across the Kuskanax Creek covered bridge and into a lush forest for a series of “five senses" experiences with nature followed up by locally made tea. 

“Shinrin-Yuko is not about hiking great distances, rather the time spent is about being in the moment,” explains Kuharic.  “It’s the ideal thing to do before heading into the hot springs.” 

This idea of living in the moment is directly in line with what any Slocan Valley traveller will find when you visit the Kohan Reflection Garden.

Found in the Village of New Denver (about 35 min drive from Nakusp), Kohan Garden was built over 30 years ago as a place for people to come, shred any bad energy and gain a soul charge.  

“These gardens are a gift to those who travel here to take in the Nikkie Internment Centre, or just to experience our 300+ types of plants found here,” explains longtime Kohan volunteer Margaret Hartley.

Visit Slocan Valley, BC

to reflect, rejuvenate and reconnect

Hartley and the team of Kohan volunteers work these gardens, set next to the Slocan Lake to provide a fully accessible venue to “drop off the busy life and flow into a contemplative state,” says Hartley.

Just recently the community of New Denver added a 1.5 km walking trail connecting the Kohan Gardens to the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre.

Back in the mid-50’s our Government lost trust in Canada’s Japanese immigrants, rounded them up and shipped them off to destinations including the Slocan Valley and places like Lethbridge.  

“Back in those days, getting to New Denver was hard—meaning a train ride from Vancouver to Slocan and a steamship across the lake north into New Denver,” explains Mayor Leonard Casley of New Denver .

The village has persevered through all this time, taking a dark period of Canada’s history and turning it into an interpretive centre, open daily May through September—for people to tour, reflect and gain understanding of a time to which we never want to return.

The Nakusp guided hiking tour, hot springs soak and new community connections with people who care in New Denver and across the Slocan Valley, makes for the perfect pairing of reflection and rejuvenation.  

When you go

Now is the time to make your Slocan Valley visit. The leaves in the trees are starting to bud, flowers are coming to life and you feel that sense of rejuvenation everywhere.

If you visit between now and May long, you escape the crowds, accommodation is guaranteed and there is time to enjoy more of the Slocan Valley to yourself.

Getting to the Slocan Valley

Coming from Calgary, you simply take the Number One Highway and go south at Revelstoke (about six hours). Same goes for Vancouver—head to Revelstoke on the one and head south (about seven hours).

Where to stay  Nakusp is the main town of the Slocan Valley, home to lots of accommodation options, including gorgeous spots to stay right at Hot Springs destinations including Nakusp and Halcyon Hot Springs. 

Our friends at Arrow Slocan Tourism can help you get tucked in here.

While in Nakusp be sure and fuel up at delicious foodery’s including Hobbs & Jill (the perfect deli spot & wicked breakfasts) and/or do what we did – order up a “Big Mac” pizza for dinner at the Arrow and Anchor and hit the beach for a picnic.

Alpenglow Mountain Escapes’ Shinrin-Yuko experience can be booked as two of you or would make for the perfect group outing.

For more about the history of the region, visit Japanese Canadian Legacy Trail.

Let us know what you discover and how your soul feels experiencing the Slocan Valley, tag @visitarrowslocan and @zenseekers in your posts so we might be able to share what you uncover.