Epic Autumn Adventures: 3 Ways to Fall in Love with Fernie, BC
Fernie sits in southeastern BC’s Elk Valley, surrounded by the rugged peaks of the Rocky Mountains. In fall, the pace of life slows, leaving ample room for adventure. A patchwork of gold and amber brightens up the landscape, and the trails and rivers become a quiet playground for outdoor enthusiasts.
Your Next Favourite Hike
You’ve got access to more than 370 kilometres of trails for trail running, hiking, downhill or mountain biking. As the only city in BC completely surrounded by the Canadian Rockies, this means you can access many of them right from town.
For a casual hike, the 4.6-kilometre round-trip Fairy Creek Falls is a local favourite that starts right behind the Fernie Visitor Centre. With about 110 metres of elevation gain, the trail winds alongside Fairy Creek before narrowing into a quiet forest path shaded by aspen and pine. It leads to a picture-perfect waterfall that spills over a rocky ledge into a mossy ravine.
If you’re looking to earn your views, the Fernie Ridge Trail delivers. This challenging 6.4-kilometre out-and-back hike climbs a quad-burning 721 metres of elevation. Atop the ridge, walk along a narrow, windswept spine with panoramic views of the Elk Valley and surrounding peaks stretching out in every direction.
Mountain Biking Trails
Home to rugged terrain, a passionate local cycling culture and an extensive, well-maintained network of trails weaving through forested valleys and along alpine ridges, Fernie is a true mountain biking hub. With eight main riding zones and close to 200 trails that range from smooth, beginner-friendly flow trails to white-knuckle technical descents built for adrenaline, Fernie has something to suit every rider.
For lift-accessible mountain biking with a mix of downhill and cross-country trails, head to Fernie Alpine Resort, open for summer activities until Labour Day weekend—plus a bonus weekend on September 6th and 7th. Its 43 trails include everything from wide, flowy greens for cruising to bermed corners, wall rides and steep, technical singletrack built to challenge even the most experienced riders.
If you’re a casual rider, the 14-kilometre round-trip Lazy Lizard trail is a great pick. This smooth, machine-built route features gentle switchbacks and wide corners, starting from Fernie Provincial Park and winding its way up to the Island Lake Lodge.
The Swine Flu Loop is a seven-kilometre favourite among intermediate riders that mixes punchy climbs with steeper descents. Advanced riders can head higher and drop into the S-Bomb. This narrow, eight-kilometre singletrack is a wild ride with tight corners, chunky roots and steep berms, rewarding confident riders with fast, technical fun and a thrilling mix of flow and challenge.
Explore the Charming Downtown
Historic brick buildings from the early 1900s line downtown Fernie, home to laid-back cafés and gear shops that will get you trail-ready. Stay nearby in a boutique hotel, family-run lodge, vacation rental or cozy cabin, and you’ll be within easy reach of Fernie’s epic hiking and biking scene.
If you’re travelling without your own bike or gear, local shops downtown like GearHub Sports, Ski Base and Straight Line, rent bikes: downhill, all-mountain, gravel, trail, fat bikes and even hardtail and full-suspension e-bikes.
Getting There
Driving to Fernie takes about three hours from Calgary, four hours from Banff, six hours from Edmonton or around 11 hours from Vancouver if you’re up for a long road trip. If you prefer to fly, Air Canada and WestJet fly into the Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook, which is just an hour away from Fernie, or you can fly to Calgary’s international airport and enjoy the scenic drive.
This article is sponsored by Tourism Fernie
Where small town charm meets adventure in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Fernie is a historic mountain town founded in 1898. Fernie is located in southeast British Columbia, Canada and is completely surrounded by the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
