Valleyview Trail (1.3 km, Easy) – Kootenay National Park

Overview

About Valleyview Trail

Why go

A quick climb to a wide Columbia Valley view
Links Radium with Redstreak Campground

Heads up

A steep section makes the short route a workout
Point-to-point logistics need a return plan

Map & elevation

The route

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Full map

Elevation876–996 m

TrailheadBehind the Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre50.61937, -116.06887

Keep this map with you offline in the Parkwolf app

Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Access behind the Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre; other options are Valleyview Day-use Area, the pullout about 1 km before Redstreak Campground, or the campground entrance. The route is point-to-point, so plan a ride or retrace your way.

Safety

One section is steep. Stay on designated trails and viewpoints.

5 active Kootenay alerts

ClosureWatercraft and angling prohibitedWatercraft and angling are prohibited on every waterbody in Kootenay National Park until March 31, 2027, to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS), including whirling disease.Official details
ClosureSinclair Canyon construction closures and delaysRepairs to the Sinclair Creek Rock Tunnel and rehabilitation of the retaining wall at Sinclair Canyon require construction closures; expect alternating single-lane traffic on Highway 93S and…Official details

See all 5 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Kootenay Tour Guide

Your drive to Valleyview Trail, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Kootenay National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

See the Kootenay audio tour

Recorded for this trailhead

Kootenay Visitor Centre: Local Advice and Displays

0:00 / 0:34

“You're coming up on the Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre in Radium Hot Springs, just outside the park boundary.”

Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Kootenay Tour Guide.

Hiking Valleyview Trail

The routeValleyview is a point-to-point climb linking Radium’s visitor-centre area with Redstreak…

Valleyview is a point-to-point climb linking Radium’s visitor-centre area with Redstreak Campground. Parks Canada lists 1.3 km (0.8 mi) one way, 130 m of elevation gain and 10 m of loss, with a 45-minute return estimate. Walking back to the same access doubles the distance; arrange a ride if you finish at the other end.

Access and parkingThe mapped route starts behind the Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre and ends at the…

The mapped route starts behind the Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre and ends at the Redstreak Campground entrance. Other official access points include Valleyview Day-use Area and a parking area about 1 km before the campground entrance. This is a connector rather than a loop.

Climb and viewA steep section leads to an opening over the Columbia Valley.

A steep section leads to an opening over the Columbia Valley. The short route gains most of its elevation on the climb, so expect a steady uphill stretch before the view.

Dogs and trail careLeashed dogs are allowed. Stay on designated trails and viewpoints.

Leashed dogs are allowed. Stay on designated trails and viewpoints.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Kootenay

All Kootenay wildlife maps

41 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

31 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

22 sightingsMooseMost seen around 6 AMSighting map

84 sightingsMountain GoatMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

522 sightingsBighorn SheepMost seen around 7 AMSighting map

65 sightingsElkMost seen around 6 AMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Kootenay. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.

Valleyview Trail