Area F (Columbia Lake/Windermere Lake) is a region in British Columbia's Columbia Valley, situated between the Rocky Mountains to the east and the Purcell Mountains to the west. This geographical setting provides diverse landscapes, including large freshwater lakes, extensive wetlands, and varied mountain terrain. The area is known for its natural environment, offering a foundation for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, and jogging. Its unique features include the headwaters of the Columbia River and one of North…
37
Routes
4.7
(51)
Average rating
652
People visited

4.4
(7)
104
hikers
2.96km
00:53
90m
90m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
19
hikers
7.01km
02:38
470m
470m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
16
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
6
hikers
2.29km
00:38
40m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(3)
50
riders
51.5km
03:06
430m
430m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

29
riders
42.2km
02:41
530m
530m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
20
riders
19.6km
01:19
260m
260m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
14
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
37
riders
8.23km
00:48
140m
140m
Hard mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

27
riders
29.2km
02:36
550m
550m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

14
riders
13.4km
01:12
150m
150m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
riders
22.0km
02:02
320m
320m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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10
runners
4.94km
00:35
90m
90m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
16.9km
02:33
770m
770m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
runners
6.24km
00:40
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Area F (Columbia Lake/Windermere Lake) offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, and Jogging. The region features more than 30 routes across these sports. These activities leverage the diverse landscapes, from lake shores to mountain trails.
Yes, Area F offers easy hiking trails suitable for various fitness levels. These include paths along lake shores and through wetlands, such as the Columbia Wetland Viewpoint via Tatley Slough Lookout trail. For more options, consult the Easy hikes around Area F (Columbia Lake/Windermere Lake) guide.
Popular hiking trails include the Hoodoo Trail near Fairmont Hot Springs, offering views of Columbia Lake, and the scenic Sinclair Creek Trail. More challenging routes around Mount Swansea provide panoramic views of the area. Further details are available in the Hiking around Area F (Columbia Lake/Windermere Lake) guide.
The Markin-MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail is a notable paved, multi-use route connecting Invermere to Fairmont Hot Springs. Other options include the "Bike loop from Windermere Lake" and "Toby Creek loop from Windermere." These routes offer varying levels of difficulty through forests and along the lake. For more information, see the Cycling around Area F (Columbia Lake/Windermere Lake) guide.
Mountain biking options range from beginner-friendly paths to challenging downhill parks. Panorama Mountain Resort offers a downhill park and cross-country trails. Other locations include the Old Coach Trail and the Toby Creek Adventures Bike Park. The MTB Trails around Area F (Columbia Lake/Windermere Lake) guide provides additional details.
Yes, Area F offers several family-friendly activities. Easy hiking paths along lake shores and paved multi-use cycling trails are suitable for families. The warm waters of Columbia Lake and Windermere Lake also provide opportunities for recreational water activities.
Key natural features include Columbia Lake, the headwaters of the Columbia River, and Windermere Lake, both popular for recreation. The Columbia Wetlands, an internationally significant wetland system, is also a prominent feature. Unique geological formations like the Hoodoos near Fairmont Hot Springs add to the scenic beauty.
Yes, several trails offer panoramic viewpoints. The summit of Mount Swansea provides extensive views of Invermere, Lake Windermere, and the Purcell Mountains. The Columbia Wetland Viewpoint via Tatley Slough Lookout trail offers expansive views of the Columbia Wetlands.
Area F (Columbia Lake/Windermere Lake) is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 2,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The routes in the region have an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, indicating high user satisfaction.
Komoot offers several guides for the region, including Hiking around Area F (Columbia Lake/Windermere Lake), Cycling around Area F (Columbia Lake/Windermere Lake), and MTB Trails around Area F (Columbia Lake/Windermere Lake). There are also guides for easy hikes and running trails.
Area F (Columbia Lake/Windermere Lake) falls under the jurisdiction of the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK). The official website for the RDEK is rdek.bc.ca. This site provides information relevant to the electoral area.
For general inquiries related to Area F (Columbia Lake/Windermere Lake), the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) can be contacted. The general inquiry phone number for the RDEK is +1-250-342-0063.

