Summit: short hikes

At the summit of Mount Revelstoke, explore the network of short trails through subalpine meadows to stunning vistas, and delve into the early history of the area with stories and artwork along the trails.

Drive the 26 km Meadows in the Sky Parkway and park a short distance below the summit, at Balsam Lake. To protect the fragile flower meadows at the summit, the last kilometre of road to the summit is closed to traffic. You can reach the summit by hiking 1 km on a paved road or on a trail through the woods. Accessible parking is available at the summit for those with permits. Check with the gate attendant to ensure someone is available to provide access. Due to snowfall at this high elevation, the parkway is usually only open to the summit area from early July to the end of September.

Note: cell service is extremely limited on these trails.

Download map and trail information (PDF, 3MB) Trail conditions report

Balsam Lake No dogs allowed 

• 500 m (loop)
• 8 m elevation change
• 10 min
• Natural trail
• Flat to gently rolling

Trailhead: Balsam Lake parking area

A pleasant walk around the shoreline of a tiny alpine lake.

Eagle Knoll No dogs allowed 

• 1 km (return)
• 27 m elevation change
• 30 min
• Natural trail
• Gently rolling with short, steep sections

Trailhead: Balsam Lake parking area

This short trail takes you from the parking area on a short stroll to a forested knoll overlooking the Columbia Valley.

From the parking lot, follow the trail beside the picnic shelter at the far end of the lake. Along the shore, trail signs point the way to Eagle Knoll. For a bit more exploring, continue past this point to the next junction and a sign indicating the upper end of the Lindmark Trail. If you follow this trail for 10 minutes, you will discover Eagle Lake nestled in the ridges.

Upper Summit No dogs allowed 

• 2 km (return)
• 91 m elevation change
• 40 min
• Natural trail
• Steep

Trailhead: Balsam Lake parking area

The Upper Summit Trail is a pleasant walk through the subalpine forest connecting Balsam Lake parking area to the trails on the upper summit.

To return from Heather Lake to Balsam Lake, you have the option of taking the Upper Summit Trail back or walking down the Upper Summit road. If the flowers are at their peak, you'll see some of the best displays along the road. If the skies are clear, you will be able to see Mount Begbie and other Monashee Mountains on the western horizon and the Selkirk Mountains to the east.

Fire Lookout No dogs allowed 

• 500 m (return)
• 11 m elevation change
• 10 min
• Paved and natural trail
• Steep

Trailhead: Upper Summit Shelter

The trail winds steeply up the hill to the historic Fire Lookout. For a more moderate grade, take the lower trail around the hill to reach another trail to the tower.

Built in 1927 and in operation until 1988, the Fire Lookout is now designated as a Federal Heritage Building. Although the building is no longer used, it is surrounded by a viewing platform that provides outstanding views of the mountains. When the fire lookout was in operation, the tower person would look for forest fires from the upper story of the building.

Koo Koo Sint No dogs allowed 

• 1 km (loop)
• 28 m elevation change
• 20 min
• Natural trail
• Gently rolling with short, steep sections

Trailhead: Upper Summit Shelter

This gentle trail with views of the Columbia River, celebrates the explorer David Thompson.

During his explorations in the early 1800s, Thompson charted tens of thousands of square kilometres of western North America for the North West Company. The Indigenous peoples of the mountains knew him as "Koo Koo Sint" - 'the man who looks at the stars.'

The stretch of the Columbia visible from the Koo Koo Sint Trail was the last reach of the river canoed by Thompson and his team in 1811. Watch for the signs on the trail presenting the epic story of Thompson's explorations.

Download the Koo Koo Sint trail guide (PDF, 400 KB)

Heather Lake No dogs allowed 

• 400 m (loop)
• 10 m elevation change
• 10 min
• Natural trail
• Flat to gently rolling

Trailhead: Upper Summit Shelter

Take a short stroll right around this little lake, following the well-used path close to the shoreline.

At least three species of mountain heather grow in this area. They are easily separated by their distinctive colours: red, white and light yellow.

First Footsteps No dogs allowed 

• 750 m (loop)
• 24 m elevation change
• 20 min
• Natural trail with stairs
• Gently rolling with short, steep sections

Trailhead: Upper Summit Shelter

This short loop walk winds through the subalpine meadows and past several scenic viewpoints. Along the way, First Footsteps presents stories of the Secwepemc, Ktunaxa and Syilx / Okanagan First Nations through sculpture and artwork. The trail passes the "Icebox" - a large cleft in the rock containing snow year-round.

First Footsteps can be easily linked with the nearby Koo Koo Sint trail for 60 minutes of reasonably easy mountain-top hiking.