It’s a hikers dream come true!

Surrounded by towering mountain peaks, the Columbia Valley is one of the most scenic landscapes in the world. There are endless alpine meadows, trails and lakes to explore and numerous parks and protected areas within a short drive from Aspen Meadows.

Your outdoor journey can start right at home. Walking trails surround the neighbourhood and connect to the private pond, providing a peaceful place to run, hike or take a casual stroll. Throughout Aspen Meadows, exercise stations will be situated along paths for those who like full body workouts.

Venture out from Aspen Meadows by foot or bike and check out quaint Windermere or head down to Windermere Lake for a refreshing dip or picnic. Beyond the town, there are hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails that wind through hills and valleys, cross creeks and rivers and rise toward mountain peaks.

The Pedley Pass hike is a favourite for residents of, and visitors, to Windermere. Good for all skill levels, the return hike is about three hours long with a good view of the Kootenay River Valley.

The entrance to Kootenay National Park is a 20-minute drive north, while Banff and Yoho National Parks are a 90-minute drive from Aspen Meadows offering unparalleled scenery and exceptional journeys into the wilderness. Add the many provincial parks, lakeside trails and vast expanses of open space throughout the valley, and Aspen Meadows becomes the perfect home base for a summer of outdoor exploring.

Kootenay National Park covers 350,000 acres (140,600 hectares) of mountain lands north of Windermere and features three major campgrounds with a total of 400 campsites. The park also has wonderful backpacking and hiking trails, including the Floe Lake/Hawke Creek trail and the Stanley Glacier Trail.

The Purcell Wilderness Provincial Conservancy is within a short drive of Windermere and was designated a ‘Roadless Tract’ in the 1970s. The natural environment remains undisturbed by development and there is no road access. All forms of mechanized access are prohibited, including helicopters. It is an outdoor dream, featuring 85 miles (137 km) of hiking trails, challenging mountaineering, horse riding and winter recreation for backpackers.