Hiking & Trekking Programs
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Hiking & Trekking
Experience guided hiking on ridges, meadows and peaks far from crowds…
Summit Mountain Guides offers day guiding and multi-day trekking holidays in the mountains for beginning hikers to advanced mountaineers. Explore the stunning wilderness areas like Valhalla, Kokanee Glacier or Goat Range Provincial Park. You choose the level of challenge, there is a walk, hike or trek for everyone!
Professional Hiking Guiding
As professionally certified ACMG hiking and interpretive guides, professional educators, ecologists and residents of Nelson, we love to share our passion and knowledge with you. A decade of experience hiking and leading trips in the mountains, make us the guiding and educational specialists for your adventure vacation.
In the peaceful wilderness of the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges, we interpret the stories behind the mountain scenes. Be amazed by the natural wonders while enjoying the knowledge and safety provided by professional guides and educators.
Backcountry Hiking Adventure
Join our interpretive guides for daily guided alpine hikes, interpretive nature walks, helicopter hiking, trekking experience or design a custom trip. You could spot mountain goats, picas or perhaps see sign of a bear’s last meal at Idaho Peak. Savour the scent of sub alpine fir at Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park or wander upon a forest orchid approaching Jumbo Pass.
Whether you are a novice or experienced hiker, we can offer you a balanced hiking program that meets your needs and walking passion. Each day your guide chooses from different wilderness settings with unique interpretive stories and different levels of physical challenge. At Summit Mountain Guides we thrive on designing hiking programs that meet individual’s goals and interests. We welcome families, staff teams and groups of all ages and offer specialized programs for women, couples and youth.
Walk with us to discover the hidden hiking gems and vistas…
Guided Hiking Programs
Introduction to Backpacking
Overnight backpacking guided hikes allow you to enjoy and begin to understand the beauty and unique vistas in the back country.
Develop the wilderness skills need to effectively plan your route, navigate and set up campsites safely and with ecological integrity. Explore into scenic wilderness areas such as Valhalla, Kokanee Glacier or Goat Provincial Park.
Natural History & Ecology
For budding naturalists or guides interested in upgrading skills, we offer custom programs in nature interpretation for hikers interesting in understanding the ecology.
You will learn the unique stories behind the biology and ecology linking plant to animal and elevation to critter. This two day course is experiential based, course content will vary based on season and hike location.
Off-Trail Trekking
For individuals with ample hiking experience, enjoy the challenge of walking off trail in the mountains on a unique trekking program. Hiking treks can be a fun experience with a group or family and gives a window into the high mountain alpine terrain.
Consider lifting a pack onto your back and enjoy the rewards of stunning views, remote wilderness and the satisfaction of choosing your alpine camp every evening. Your guide will help you safely adjust to the rigor of living daily in the back country.
On-Trail Traverses
Hikers that enjoy trail walking, consider a hiking traverse as it gives the confidence of established trails as well as the enjoyment of moving base camp daily. Traverses are enjoyable ways to see lots of alpine terrain while staying on established trails.
As you set up a new camp each day, you have the opportunity to discover day and night life in the back country. With an experienced guide, this is a rewarding experience with friends or family and gives ample time for exploring the meadows, ridges and summits in the alpine.
Glacier Hikes
For hikers looking for an additional adventure, come trek on ice for a day or two. With a certified alpine guide you’ll learn how to rope up and walk on the glacier and move safely around crevasses and experience crampons.
Glacier trekking can be a fun experience with a group or family and gives a window into the high mountain alpine terrain. We explore onto ice in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park as well as the Valhalla’s, Goat Range and Purcell Mountains.
Overnight Alpine Hikes
Wanting to enjoy the classic alpine hikes a little longer? Extend your back country experience by enjoying an overnight stay an alpine hut or tent. Join a certified hiking guide for a two or three day program and enjoy alpine meadows, aesthetic ridges or scramble to a nearby peak.
Enjoy the pristine and rugged mountain scenery on trails unique places like Mac Beth Ice field, Whitewater Canyon, Jumbo Pass, Idaho Peak, Mt. Gimli, Mckeen Lakes, Mt. Loki and many more.
Advanced Hikes & Treks
Enjoy a full day in the high alpine. Discover how well your body adapts to walking on or off trail. Programs last from 8-10 hours depending on location.
Moderate Hikes
Enjoy lasting alpine impressions at a moderate pace, hike for 3-6 hours. Ascend slowly and realize how easy it is to summit, explore ridges and the flora of alpine meadows.
Easy Walks
Enjoy the spaciousness of spectular mountain views or walk into the depth of an old growth forest. Find your own pace, walk your speed and appreciate the ease of trail walking.
Alpine Hiking
For hikers seeking unique backcountry hikes, join a certified hiking guide for the day to walk in an alpine meadow, along aesthetic ridges or through the lush forests of the Selkirk, Monashee and Purcell Mountains. The West Kootenay region provides a diverse array established wilderness trails for beginner walkers to very experienced hikers.
Enjoy the pristine and rugged mountain scenery on trails in Valhalla Provincial Park, Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, Goat Range Provincial Park as well as unique places like MacBeth Icefield, Whitewater Canyon, Jumbo Pass, Idaho Peak, Mt. Gimli and many more! We offer a number of hikes, each different from one another, see our favorite hiking trails for inspiration.
Heli-drop Hiking
For those that have limited time or enjoy hiking in seclusion, consider a lift into the alpine. Helicopters from High Terrain offer us speedy access and pilots choose routes that avoid disturbing wildlife.
Experience the magnificent flight views of the Purcells and Selkirk Mountains and the excitement of being dropped off on a remote ridge, where your hiking adventure begins.
Guided Ecology Hikes
Survival in the Alpine
Learn about the unique adaptation strategies in the alpine. The tough plants and animals that exist in the alpine could teach us a trick or two. Learn about who is who in the plant kingdom and how they are designed perfectly for a high elevation home. Meet animals, or signs, like the mountain goat, marmot, ptarmigan, pica or bears and be astounded by the clever living strategies.
Relationships that Work
Understand how ecology works in the natural world. Isn’t this a course everyone would like to take and master? Behind the scenes, learn the about the amazing relationships and evolutionary stories that link bird to tree, fungi to plant, trees and disturbance, or insect to flower. A magical tour and introduction to life Kingdoms both in the forest and alpine zones.
Bears of the Columbia Mountains
Imagine what it might be like to follow the trail of a bear: diggings, scat, markings on foliage or tracks. Look into what sorts of foods these mammals seek out and the unique yearly habits of black and grizzly bears. Learn about local bear population research and their connection to other wildlife and flora. Come away impressed by this magnificent species.
