Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Frog Peak Loop
Distance
66 Mi.
(107 KM)Days
2
% Unpaved
64%
% Singletrack
0%
% Rideable (time)
100%
Total Ascent
4,938'
(1,505 M)High Point
3,690'
(1,125 M)Difficulty (1-10)
4?
- 5Climbing Scale Moderate74 FT/MI (14 M/KM)
- 1Technical Difficulty Easy
- 4Physical Demand Fair
- 2Resupply & Logistics Easy
Contributed By
Moe Nadeau
Guest Contributor
Moe (she/her) has taken her bike to various corners of North America, using it as a tool for deep reflection and to explore the connection between people, place, and nature. She’s a big fan of the many ways to ride—whether mountain biking, commuting, or bikepacking—and loves the vibrant community she’s found through cycling. Moe lives in Nelson, BC, with her partner, where she works to promote equity in land-based conservation.
Photos and additional insight by Miles Arbour
The Frog Peak Loop is a non-technical and logistically straightforward gravel route, making it the perfect intro to bikepacking in the Kootenays. The official starting point is in Nelson, but it’s possible to start anywhere in the Slocan Valley or at the revered Frog Peak Café if you need a caffeine hit before you ride. At 107 kilometers (66 miles) long, the route can be tackled in a single day but is best enjoyed extended over a weekend to soak in the beauty of the West Kootenays. Despite feeling remote at times, this is offset by its proximity to small communities, delicious food stops, and well-traveled rail trails. If you’re looking for a route to convert the first-time bikepacker, this is it. The route has ample swimming spots, resupply points, and campgrounds, making it an ideal weekend trip. For those looking for more of an adventure, it’s possible to packraft the Slocan River from Passmore to Crescent Valley.
The route is named after Frog Peak, a prominent mountain near Slocan, easily seen from the Slocan Valley and many parts of the rail trail. Frog Mountain holds significant cultural and spiritual importance for the Sinixt. According to Swarak’xn Chaptikwl (The Frog Mountain Story), long ago, a severe drought struck the Sinixt People’s land, leaving plants and animals to wither and die. As survival became impossible, many people left their homeland, but some, including a village led by an Elder, stayed behind. The Elder, deeply connected to their ancestral land, refused to leave. During a fast and prayer, a frog visited the Elder, instructing them to lead their people to dig caves in the riverbank for survival. They did as they were told, and frogs offered themselves as sustenance when food ran out. Eventually, a frog declared their suffering over, replenishing the land. To honor their survival, the frog transformed into Frog Mountain, symbolizing the resilience of the Sinixt. The Sinixt have a deep connection to Frog Peak and the entire Slocan Valley. The above information was condensed from the Swarak’xn Chaptikwl Story provided by Sinixt storytellers Marilyn James, M.Ed. and Cindy Fry, M.Ed.
The Nelson and Slocan area is full of vibrancy—whether it be the people who live here or the landscape. This route feels particularly special as it shows a glimpse into local life and highlights the natural beauty of the Kootenays. While out on the route, we encourage you to take a moment and reflect on what feels special to you here and how you can be part of this community, even if for only a weekend.
Difficulty
The Frog Peak Loop is listed as a 4/10. The route is logistically straightforward, with only one significant climb and the rest following easy roads or rail grade. With abundant food resupply points and proximity to water for half of the ride, it’s a manageable adventure for most riders. It is an encouraged ride for first-time bikepackers.
Route Development: The Frog Peak Loop was established on BIKEPACKING.com by Moe Nadeau, a local Nelson resident and bikepacker. However, the route has long been a favorite among gravel enthusiasts and is a staple event in the local biking community. After completing this as a day ride, starting at 3 a.m. to beat the heat dome, Moe knew this ride was worthy of an overnighter. It’s a special place that she hopes to share with new-to-bikepacking folks. Miles Arbour and Emily Heron scouted and photographed the route in the summer of 2024. Like the Kootenay Confluence and the Bonnington Scrambler, the Frog Peak Loop was made possible thanks to the support of the Qube Charitable Foundation and fellow bikepacker Ian Quigley.
This route is part of the Local Overnighter Project, which was created to expand our growing list of worldwide bikepacking routes—the first and largest of its kind—and create an independent map and catalog of great bikepacking overnighters, curated by you, from your own backyard. Our goal is to have accessible routes from every town and city in the world. Learn More
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As the leading creator and publisher of bikepacking routes, BIKEPACKING.com endeavors to maintain, improve, and advocate for our growing network of bikepacking routes all over the world. As such, our editorial team, route creators, and Route Stewards serve as mediators for route improvements and opportunities for connectivity, conservation, and community growth around these routes. To facilitate these efforts, we rely on our Bikepacking Collective and the greater bikepacking community to call attention to critical issues and opportunities that are discovered while riding these routes. If you have a vital issue or opportunity regarding this route that pertains to one of the subjects below, please let us know:
Highlights
Must Know
Camping
Food/H2O
Trail Notes
- Known for its vibrant arts scene, diverse culinary offerings, and heritage buildings, Nelson provides a perfect start and end point. There’s always something happening with numerous events throughout the year, including the ArtWalk and International Mural Festival. Nelson is home to many delicious restaurants. Be sure to add extra time to try a few.
- Lemon Creek, winding through the Slocan Valley, is a serene waterway with historical significance to BC. Named after the color of gold, which was extracted from it in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, Lemon Creek is part of the boom and bust mining history in Canada. However, Lemon Creek is known for more than its environmental impacts. It was also home to one of four internment camps during World War II, known as the Slocan Extension, where Japanese Canadians were forcibly relocated and confined. Between 1942 and 1945, Japanese Canadians were uprooted and had their rights as Canadian citizens removed and their possessions taken. This dark chapter in Canadian history is remembered through stories of the camps that once dotted the area and the Slocan cemetery, which hosts a monument in memory of those who suffered.
- Explore the quirky charm of Winlaw, a small town nestled in the Slocan Valley. Known for its vibrant community, Winlaw has plenty of unique shops and local eateries. From artisan crafts and organic produce to cozy cafes and eclectic galleries, this town offers attractions that invite visitors to slow down and enjoy the local flavor.
- Swimming opportunities are abundant, making the route perfect for hot summer days. Plan for multiple swim stops during the day, including in Kootenay Lake at Six Mile Beach, the Six Mile Lakes rec site, and the Slocan River, where you’re guaranteed to see folks out enjoying the river float.
- Packraft the Slocan River! In summer, people flock from all over BC to float the Slocan River in inner tubes. From late June to late August, the river makes the perfect packrafting route, which can be linked into the Frog Peak Loop or potentially ridden/paddled as an out-and-back from Crescent Valley. Learn more about the river float here.
When to go
- Late spring and early summer will be better for lower daytime highs, but be sure to time it with snow melt and forest fire season. Summer provides warm nights, but the Kootenays are known to get very hot during the day.
- BC’s Interior is highly susceptible to forest fires starting as early as July. Make sure to check on the BC forest fire map for current conditions and be prepared to adjust your plans quickly. If you see a forest fire, you can report it by calling *5555.
Logistics
- Long-term parking is available on Lakeside Drive near the recycling depot and Wholesale Club in Nelson. Ensure your vehicle’s height meets parking requirements near the airstrip. Anything over 7 meters tall must be parked near the end of the road, closest to the recycling depot.
- There is also the option to park in Crescent Valley for those looking to complete most of the climbing on day one, setting yourself up for an easy second day. See the Trail Notes section for details.
- The nearest regional airports are in Castlegar and Trail, both offering flights from Vancouver and shuttle services to Nelson. Long-term parking is available at both airports.
- Expect to encounter deer, elk, black bears, and grizzlies. Practice safe food storage and #LeaveNoTrace to avoid attracting wildlife. Remember to bring a rope and a dry bag to store your food at night.
- Cell phone coverage is limited on the route; a satellite communication device is recommended.
What Bike
- Given the route’s non-technical nature, a gravel bike with tires of at least 40mm (1.6”) width will provide a comfortable ride on the gravel roads and rail trails. Wider tires, up to 50mm (2.0”), can add extra cushioning for the descents. Having low climbing gears on your gravel bike will help with the one significant climb.
- Experienced riders will have no problem riding the route on narrower tires but may need to take things slower on some of the descents.
- For a short route, there are multiple camping options. At the top of the climb out of Kootenay Lake, you can find two rec sites: Sasquatch Lake and Six Mile Lakes. Six Miles Lake site is a series of three connected sub-alpine lakes. This first campsite has several walk-in sites on the right side of the road, lake access with swimming, picnic tables, and an outhouse. Sasquatch Lake offers two campsites and a smaller swimming option.
- Lemon Creek Pioneer Campground is located at the bottom of the descent, roughly 42 kilometers into the route. It’s a great option if you are looking to finish the climb and camp near the Rail Trail. There are 17 tenting sites, washrooms, and showers.
- There are established campgrounds in Winlaw and Vallican, with various services and roofed accommodations. See the route map for details.
- Wherever you camp, be sure to check if there are fire bans and #LeaveNoTrace.
- Located on the edge of the Slocan River in Crescent Valley, Frog Peak Cafe is the perfect place for your final stop before Nelson. Above the cafe is a guesthouse that can be rented out if you want to spend an extra day swimming in the Slocan River.
- Mama Sita’s Cafe is a certified crowd-pleaser for a sit-down meal in the quirky town of Winlaw. It is open from 8 AM – 8 PM every day.
- There are a number of streams, small creeks, and lakes on the route that flow for most of the year. Carrying 2L worth of water capacity is more than enough. Be sure to start with full bottles, as the climb to Six Mile Lakes has the least amount of water.
Sample Two-Day Itinerary
The Frog Peak Loop is easily ridden in two days and, as presented, starts and ends in Nelson. However, it is possible to start anywhere along the loop, including in Crescent Valley, if you hope to complete most of the climbing on day one, resulting in a more relaxed second day. We chose to start/end near the Frog Peak Café and left a vehicle in a gravel lot off the rail trail, which is marked on the route map. Here’s the itinerary for how we rode it.
locationCrescent Valley-Six Mile Lakes
Day 1 (50 KM +1,194 M / 31 MI +3,917 FT)
Starting with breakfast, coffee, and a baked good from the Frog Peak Café, the route briefly heads east on the Slocan Valley Rail Trail before crossing the Kootenay River. Follow the pavement up a very steep ascent to the community of Blewett, which overlooks the West Arm of Kootenay Lake, before descending into the town of Nelson. Grab a bite to eat, swim at Rotary Lakeside Park, and cross the Big Orange Bridge, locally known as “BOB,” heading north on Highway 3A. Before climbing away from the highway, grab any final provisions you’ll need for the night from the Duhamel Store, take a dip at Six Mile Beach, and stop by Six Mile Bikes (if you’ve pre-arranged a visit). From here, the route quickly hits the Duhamel Creek forest service road and climbs towards the stunning Six Mile Lakes. Leave time for a swim before setting up camp, nestled in the forest beside several sub-alpine lakes.
locationSix Mile Lakes-Crescent Valley
Day 2 (56 KM +350 M / 34 MI +1,148 FT)
After a morning swim, the route quickly descends to Lemon Creek via gravel roads and follows it west towards the Slocan River and the Slocan Valley Rail Trail. The route continues south on the rail trail past the Lemon Creek Pioneer Campground, the town of Winlaw (home to the popular Mama Sita’s Café), and Valhalla Pines Campground. There are several places to access the river for a swim along this stretch, several picnic areas, and the loop ends at the Frog Peak Café. Grab yourself a drink and a bite to eat; you’ve earned it!
Terms of Use: As with each bikepacking route guide published on BIKEPACKING.com, should you choose to cycle this route, do so at your own risk. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. While riding, obey all public and private land use restrictions and rules, carry proper safety and navigational equipment, and of course, follow the #leavenotrace guidelines. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be used as a point of inspiration in conjunction with your own due-diligence. In spite of the fact that this route, associated GPS track (GPX and maps), and all route guidelines were prepared under diligent research by the specified contributor and/or contributors, the accuracy of such and judgement of the author is not guaranteed. BIKEPACKING.com LLC, its partners, associates, and contributors are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individual riders cycling or following this route.
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