The Galena Trail owes its existence to galena – also called lead sulphide (PbS), a mineral that often hangs out with silver as was the case in the Kootenays. This ore is what made the Slocan mining district famous in the late 1800’s. The Galena Trail today follows the historic route of the Nakusp and Slocan Railway from Rosebery to Three Forks over 13 km.
With three entrance points, you can choose to bike the length of the Galena Trail as an out and back exercise or simply a section of it. If you only you have time for one section, and you want the cable car experience, head for Three Forks. If you’d prefer a slightly easier bike ride with lake and mountain views, then do an out and back to Rosebery.
The highlight for most cyclists is the short cable car crossing of Carpenter Creek. But there’s lots to love along the trail including big trees, mountain views, mining artifacts, Slocan Lake, and a scenic section along the creek near Three Forks.
Galena Trail overview
Distance: 13 km one way from Rosebery to Three Forks. It’s about 6 km from New Denver to Three Forks.
Time needed: About 4 hours for the full out and back but only about 1.5 hours from New Denver to Rosebery and back. If you’re an accomplished mountain biker in a hurry, you could probably halve the time.
Difficulty: Easy for regular mountain bikers. There were a few narrow sections I walked.
Best time to bike: Mid-April until mid-November, before the snow comes or after it melts.
Dogs: Allowed but they need to be under control. Be sure to pack out their poop or bury it in the woods.
Good to know: Carry water and high energy snacks and please practice Leave No Trace principles.
Cost: Remove five rocks or sticks from the trail bed.
Wildlife: I packed bear spray. A lady I met up with said there had been cougar sightings so be aware and make lots of noise.
Plants: Look for the white Mountain Lady’s Slipper and the pretty purple Calypso Orchid but don’t pick them.
Camping: None along the Galena Trail. There is camping at the Centennial Campground in New Denver and at Inn Valley Campsites in Rosebery along with Rosebery Provincial Park.
Type of terrain: Forest paths, gravel and a rail bed.
Highlight: The iconic cable car crossing adds a fun, adventurous twist.
Trail access points
There are three Galena Trail access points in Rosebery, New Denver, and Three Forks.
Rosebery
Park on Rosebery Loop Road and pick up the trail just west of the road.
New Denver
Access is from Denver Siding Road off of Highway 31A just out of New Denver. There’s lots of parking.
Three Forks
There is a new parking lot on Sandon Road just after you turn off Highway 31, about 8 km east of New Denver.
Safety tips
Even though the Galena Trail is generally very easy to bike, there are a couple of safety issues you should be aware of.
You do cross a rockslide and bike past some steep drop offs. Walk your bike if you’re not comfortable. You may run into wildlife, but if you make some noise, you reduce the chance of a wildlife encounter.
On the cable car you might want a pair of gloves, so you don’t hurt your hands.
If you step into the woods, be sure to avoid Devil’s Club, a large understory shrub covered in spines. Also, keep an eye out for stinging nettle as contact with it produces a short-term rash.
My mountain biking experience on the Galena Trail
I started on Denver Siding Road in New Denver and immediately ran into the woman pictured below. She had biked up from Rosebery – something she did a couple of times a week for exercise. She had heard about a cougar in the area, so asked if I wanted to bike with her. I said a resounding yes and off we went towards Three Forks.
In places the trail climbed gradually – all on rail grade, easy and fairly wide single track. We passed a small rock slide and soon reached a sharp U-turn with two trails branching off it. Take the upper trail to continue to the cable car. She told me the lower trail to New Denver was tough going. I haven’t done it.
Cable car crossing
The cable car crossing over Carpenter Creek isn’t that difficult, especially since you can lock the cable car in place while you load your bike. Earlier in the summer I’d done the North Coast Trail hike and there was no lock to hold them in place while you loaded your packs. This cable car design is so much better.
Once on the other side of Carpenter Creek you pass Alamo Siding and artifacts from the mining era. The rest of the Galena Trail is straightforward though near the end you must climb a few switchbacks to reach the bridge and the trailhead at Three Forks.
New Denver to Rosebery on the Galena Trail
It’s a fun bike ride from New Denver to Rosebery on the Galena Trail as it’s mostly downhill, so the biking is quick. I loved the views of Slocan Lake and the Valhalla Range where you could still see fires burning from the summer.
As an aside, Valhalla Provincial Park is a fantastic spot for hiking. Try the hike to Gwillim Lakes, preferably as an overnight backpacking trip.
It’s easy to ditch the bikes and walk to Slocan Lake as you get close to Rosebery. On a hot day, a swim would be a real bonus.
The return to New Denver from Rosebery is all uphill, but it’s a mellow ride and not difficult. The Galena Trail is very wide until you get close to New Denver where there’s a little bit of single-track to deal with.
All in all this is a fun mountain bike ride and perfect for beginners who want to try something a little bit harder that straight, flat trails.
Where to stay nearby
I stayed at the Adventure Domes in New Denver. It’s got a great location and a cool vibe to go with it. The domes are a short walk from the grocery store – and even the beach. They are also just a 2-minute drive to the Galena Trail trailhead in New Denver.
The Glacier View Cabins would be another option, especially if you want to cook your own meals.
Map showing approximate location of the Galena Trail
Thank you to Kootenay Rockies Tourism for hosting my stay. If you’re in the area, the Galena Trail is a fun must-do bike ride.
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