Trans Canada Trail on the NorthStar Rail Trail: Kimberley to Cranbrook, 30 km
Distance

DISTANCE

30km
GPS

GPS DOWNLOADS

Distance

MAP

About the Journey

The mountain views get bolder as TCT travelers move form the eastern edge of the Purcell mountain range at Kimberley, down through the Rocky Mountain Trench beyond Cranbrook, and up toward the western fringes of the Rockies at the community of Wardner.

Kimberley is BC’s highest city at 1113 meters and is known as the Baverian City of the Rockies. Close to the downtown center of KImberley at the Platz, the TCT emerges onto the new NorthStar Rails to Trails.

The route from the southern end of the NorthStar to Rotary Way in Cranbrook is in development, but Rotary Way itself is fully designated as Trans Canada Trail and includes a pavilion.




Staging Areas:

GPS INFORMATION:

  • KML/KMZ files can be opened in Google Earth, and many smartphone apps.
  • GPX files can be opened by most GPS software apps when KMZ cannot. Note, GPX files do not contain custom colours and icons that we use on our maps; all tracks and icons will appear the same colour and styles. We recommend using KMZ instead of GPX if possible.

The files below include data for only this specific area. For all of our Trans Canada Trail data for the entire province (including features, campsites and alternate routes), download our BC.kmz master file (1.2 MB)

Visit our GPS & Navigation page for instructions of how to use your smartphone as a GPS device (even when outside of data coverage) or how to import data to your Garmin unit.


GPS DOWNLOAD (KMZ FILE)
GPS DOWNLOAD (GPX FILE)
DOWNLOAD INFORMATION SHEET

Staging Areas:

Washrooms:

Route Highlights:

  • A 100% Trans Canada Trail designated loop in the city of Kimberley
  • NorthStar Rails to Trails, Canada’s new rail trail, a paved 25 km pathway – a highlight of the TCT in Western Canada!
  • Trans Canada Trail Pavilion in Cranbrook

 


DOWNLOAD INFORMATION SHEET

Shopping:

Accomodations:

Transportation:

Directions:

DOWNLOAD INFORMATION SHEET (PDF)

The exact route through Kimberley may change as the city considers extending the Northstar trail further north from it’s current endpoint at Archibald Street. For now, the following directions will lead you on the current route as it leaves the Platzl and reaches the northernmost point of the Northstar Rail to Trail.

  • From the Cuckoo Clock in the Platzl, head east along the Spokane Street walkway, continuing past Wallinger for 60 metres to where Spokane and St. Mary’s Ave split
  • Veer right onto St. Mary’s, which travels south to Ross Street. Continue on St. Mary’s by turning right onto Ross, then immediately left – St. Mary’s goes for another 225 metres, crossing Mark Creek and arriving at Ledenhall St/Beale Ave.
  • Turn left and follow Beale as it heads south to the cul-de-sac. The Lion’s Way Trail appears on your left, following the river and heading furth south.
  • Lion’s Way runs for 450 metres to MacKenzie/Victoria – continue south on Victoria Ave for 300 metres to Archibald.

At this point, the Trans Canada Trail splits. Our original route, now considered a hiking alternative, continues south nearly all the way to Marysville Falls. Suburban road connections can bring you from the end of this trail to the Northstar. Heading back to Kimberley from that point creates a great 12 km loop.

In order to reach the temporary trailhead of the Northstar (it will be moved as the Northstar is extended further north):

  • Turn left on Archibald, crossing Mark Creek, passing in front of the Civic Centre.
  • In 100 metres, Archibald ends at Rotary Drive.

On the opposite side of Rotary, 30 metres to your left, (note a tall red fire hydrant) is a newly paved driveway – you will see the driveway curves to the right, behind the house on the right. This driveway is the temporary entrance to the Northstar Rail Trail.

Once on the Northstar, it’s easy to follow the trail for the next 25 km all the way to Cranbrook. Take care at the highway crossings. The Northstar ends at McPhee Rd. From here, theTrans Canada Trail route turns left on McPhee, which crosses Theatre Rd and continues east past the Home Depot. McPhee veers left, then right, nerging with 22nd St N – continue east on 22nd which will arrive at the highway. Crossing the highway, the wooded area ahead is Joseph Creek. The newly constructed Rotary Way is a paved, non-motorized trail which travels to Kokanee Drive North.