I had done the Galena Trail portion of this ride over 20 years ago and I was keen to return and explore more of the trail network around the Arrow-Slocan region. This area is perfect for gravel riding as there is an abundance of old rail trails that connect the towns (Nakusp to Slocan and beyond, although some spots you will have to ride on the highway until you can rejoin the trail network).
The Hills to New Denver portion of this ride is insanely beautiful as you emerge from the thicker forested area onto the north end of Slocan Lake. From here there are countless beaches (most without a single person in sight) and the grade of the rail trail makes for a super relaxing ride into New Denver that you can do at your own pace. The trail meanders along the waterside until you pass through the small community of Rosebery and then shortly after that you are into New Denver.
New Denver makes for the perfect stopover for lunch as there are quite a few cute little cafes and snack spots. I stopped over at a small spot called Gather Cafe and managed to catch some live music in the back while enjoying a sandwich and coffee before continuing on.
From here I made my way out of New Denver and up to Galena Trail which recently re-opened a very cool cable car that takes you and your bike across a river. Normally you could continue on this trail to a tiny ghost-town called Sandon but there was a pretty big washout shortly after the cable car so the trail was fully closed on this section. Feeling like I wanted to take a different route down, I had heard at the cafe that there was another way back to New Denver down Old Sandon Road. In hindsight this trail is better suited to a mountain bike but it is still definitely doable on a gravel bike and it does chill out a bit after an extremely bumpy and rooty top section. This little loop on Galena Trail and Old Sandon Road was a nice contrast to the super chill rail trail that follows the lake. If you want to avoid the rougher descent of Old Sandon Road you can just return across the cable car and down Galena Trail to New Denver.
Finally I finished on the shores of Slocan Lake on the edge of downtown New Denver and the swim was the perfect way to finish a day of riding. There’s plenty of Airbnb’s, hotels, or places to camp in the area if you're looking for a stayover before you continue on.
by Kootenayz