Free
Fairy Creek Falls
An easy forest walk, about 5 km return, from across the highway at the visitor centre to a mossy waterfall.
Elk Valley, British Columbia
Fernie
A brick-and-timber mountain town in the Elk Valley, rebuilt after a fire, with Fairy Creek Falls a short walk from the visitor centre, trails in Mount Fernie Provincial Park, and a lake lodge in an old-growth bowl up the Cedar Valley Road.
Photo: Downtown Fernie with the Three Sisters behind, Holger Steinhaus, CC BY-SA 3.0
Fernie sits in a tight fold of the southern Rockies, where the Elk River runs under the Lizard Range and the Three Sisters. The present downtown was rebuilt in brick after a 1908 fire, and 2nd Avenue is still a short, walkable street of independent shops under those peaks.
Fairy Creek Falls is an easy forest walk from the visitor centre. Mount Fernie Provincial Park has creek trails just west of town, and Island Lake Lodge, up a winding summer road, opens its hiking trails to visitors on selected days.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Mount Fernie Provincial Park
Creek trails and forest just west of town, in the shadow of Mount Fernie. A connector links the park to the alpine resort.
Free
The Three Sisters
The three peaks that stand over the Elk Valley, in view from town and from several valley trails.
Free
Fernie Valley Pathway
A paved path linking the visitor centre, Maiden Lake, Annex Park on the Elk River and Mount Fernie Provincial Park.
Free
Mount Proctor
A long, steep trail to a summit above town, with wide views of the Elk Valley.
Paid
Island Lake
A lake in an old-growth bowl, with walking trails and canoe rentals. Open to the public on selected days in summer; check before you go.
Season Open to the public on selected days, roughly mid-June–mid-Sept (check before you go).
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Historic downtown Fernie
A short, walkable 2nd Avenue of brick and timber, rebuilt after the 1908 fire, with the peaks at the end of the street.
Free
The Ghostrider on Mount Hosmer
On clear evenings a shadow on Mount Hosmer is said to look like a horse and rider. You can see it from town; a steep trail climbs the mountain itself.
Paid
Fernie Alpine Resort
A ski mountain in winter; hiking and downhill biking once the snow is gone.
Season Ski season roughly early Dec–mid-April; summer hiking and biking after the snow (check before you go).
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Free
Fernie Sunday Mountain Market
A summer Sunday market of growers and makers in Rotary Park.
Season Sundays in summer, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (check before you go).
Free
2nd Avenue shops and cafés
Independent shops, bakeries and patios on the historic main street.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Canyon Raft Company on the Elk River
Scenic floats and whitewater trips on the Elk River.
Season Trips run roughly May–Sept (check before you go).
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
- Island Lake Experience
- Fernie Alpine Resort Tickets
Part of our The Kootenays guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- The Ghostrider shadow on Mount Hosmer is an evening thing; you can't rush it on a day trip.
- A waterfall walk and a day at Island Lake or the alpine resort need a night in between.
- The Elk River and the historic street are better when the parking lots empty.
Nearby and worth the drive
Goldenabout 3 h 10 · Guide ↗
The Kicking Horse and the doorstep of Yoho.
Banffabout 4 h · Guide ↗Lake Louise and the Bow Valley.
Ready-made trips with Fernie
Good to know
- Island Lake: The lodge and its trails are open to the public on selected days from mid-June to mid-September. Check the operations calendar before you go. The access road is winding and is not a winter drive for most visitors.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Downtown Fernie with the Three Sisters behind, Holger Steinhaus, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: The Three Sisters above the Elk Valley, John Johnston, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Fernie in the Elk Valley, from the Three Sisters, James Heilman, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Mount Proctor above Fernie, NuckGhostriderTPB at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0