What is Darkwoods? Well, its 63,000 Hectares of Conservation land just outside of Nelson. It’s a MASSIVE hunk of preserved wilderness, but lucky for us, there’s still some roads that go through it. It’s also known for the tiny community of Tye, sitting on an empty streatch of Kootenay Lake. If you decide to go all the way to the Lake, PLEASE be respectful in this community. Ride slow, keep the dust and the noise to a minimum. But the view on the lake is rather stellar!
The Conservation area does require a permit to enter. Fortunately it’s super simple and free! Just go to the website and fill out a little form and you’re good to go. Just remember you need to stick to the established roads, and there’s no camping or campfires of any kind…
Click here to get the permit and more information about the Darkwoods Conservancy
The main route goes along Porcupine FSR just outside of Ymir to Highway 3 on the Creston side of the Summit. There has been a washout on Blazed FSR for a while now, but the new way in is along Bluebird FSR. It starts basically right at the Highway and runs along the other side of the creek before joining back on. From there, you head into the Mountains!
The route through Bayonne and past Arkansas Lake is for sure the spicier option! On the highway side its steepish and looseish. On the Darkwoods side its an old quad track that is a serious Alder-fest. But the camping at the lake is sooooooo worth it!! If you’re just looking to zip through Darkwoods, this option isn’t for you! Best as an out and back to the campsite from the Kootenay summit side…
Darkwoods Map
So, here’s how the map works. The massive route is broken up into smaller tracks based on the type of riding surface and difficulty. And colour-coded for your convenience!
D-0 Green is paved
D-1 Blue is smooth unpaved
D-2 Red is Rough Unpaved
D-3 Purple is Spicy, Either more technical or has something on it that may be trickier for some rider/bike combinations.
I’m never going to make assumptions about your skill level or enthusiasm, you know you. Always ride to what you’re comfortable with.
There are waypoints for Camping, fuel, beer, motels, motorcycle shops, food, and cool places to see!!
Granby / Whatshan / Shelter Bay Route
Want a way to get from Grand Forks to the Shelter Bay ferry avoiding all that pavement through Nakusp? Have we got the answer for you! Stellar gravel riding through the Granby, Edgewood, Whatshan Lake and along the West shore
Lemon Creek Route
Heading up Six Mile Lake and down Lemon Creek is a classic dual-sport ride. The typical loop is just up, down and back on the highway through the Slocan Valley. But…..there’s options!! Download the .KML Download the .GPX View in
Glacier Route
Riding the loop around the Kokanee Park is a must do! Travelling through Nelson, Balfour, Kaslo, New Denver and through the Slocan Valley. It has some of the most flowy twisties anywhere. Get the .gpx or .kml file via Gaia
BC Fuel Stations
It’s sorta one of those things. If you travel around, you need gas. And when you need it, you really need it! Here’s a map of places to get fuel. Is this EVERY station? Of course not. If you’re headed
Campsites
One awesome part of travelling in British Columbia is the abundance of Recreational Sites to camp at! I’m a camper. I’ve always been a camper. Awesome day rides are great, don’t get me wrong. But seeing the sun set behind
Kootenay Pass Loop Route
Ok folks, this one is a classic! A paved, smooth, flowy cruise, it takes the rider through some spectacular scenery. Along the North Shore of Kootenay lake, across the longest free ferry in the world, through the twisties on the
Castlegar-Christina Lake Route
Do you like beautiful Lake views? Do you like groomed railbed gravel? Do you like getting around a mountain pass on the pavement? Do you like old railway trestles? But….are you afraid of the dark? Bulldog tunnel is almost a
Trout Lake Loop
Discover the Kootenays on a breathtakingly picturesque circle motorcycle tour through the heart of the Selkirks, a 390-kilometre loop that starts and ends in Nelson, B.C., with stops in New Denver, Nakusp and Kaslo. Get the .gpx or .kml file
Buchanan Lookout
The Buchanan Lookout stands tall at 1,912 m (6,272 Ft) and offers stunning views of the Kootenay Lake, Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, Goat Range Provincial Park and the Purcell Mountains. Get the .gpx or .kml file via Gaia Gaia Tutorial
Gray Creek Pass
The climb to Gray Creek Pass is 5,000 ft of elevation gain in 16.5 km making it the highest dirt pass in Canada! The 6,850 foot high Gray Creek Pass runs between Kootenay Lake on the west and Kimberly to