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      The Larch Hills Traverse was the first section of the wider Shuswap Trail System to be completed. But is still evolving as new single track trail sections get added, and new loop options are created.

      It’s an epic 40 kilometre highland cross-country romp through the forests, fens, and dramatic lake vistas of the Larch Hills, linking the communities of Salmon Arm and Sicamous, as well as linking into the South Canoe Trail System, the Larch Hills Nordic Trail System, the Shuswap Outdoors backcountry trails, the Rubberhead Mountain Bike Trail system, and the Hyde Mountain Lookout and Sicamous Greenway trail systems. Simply put - its the backbone connecting a whole lot of good trail karma in the Shuswap!

      A series of distinct sections make up the full traverse. Each offers its own unique character to the journey. The trail connects forestry road and singletrack trails through a variety of ecosystems and terrain. Many amazing viewpoints overlooking Shuswap and Mara Lakes are your rewards. Most often traveled from Salmon Arm to Sicamous for mountain bikers, it actually also rides really well in the other direction from Sicamous to Salmon Arm. The Sicamous Switchbacks are a surprisingly rideable uphill grade only averaging 10%, but don't be fooled on the downhill. This section is still one of the hidden wonders of the mountain biking world, with loads of undulations and meanders to make it the cherry on the cake for those riding from west to east.

      Explore three new trail sections added each season between 2014 and 2017, including the 3 km Raspberry Hill section with spectacular new views high over Shuswap lake, the 2+ km Hyde Around section winding through varying forest types, and the most recent 2 km Top-o-the-Sic section that now connects the top of the Switchbacks all the way over to the Raspberry Hill section, eliminating the need to use the 112 Forestry Road. Effectively, the entire east side of the Traverse is now doable all on sweet single track trails. These sections can also be combined with the old 112 Forestry Road to create unique loops of their own for an out-and-back trail experience starting and ending in Sicamous.

      And a fourth section of the traverse was also added in 2017 on the west side, though not fully connected yet. Check out the Around-the-Hill Greenway Loop trail for a very cool destination hike or snowshoe through older growth cedar/hemlock forest, as well as a cool option when connecting through to the Rubberhead trails. Watch for new sections to come, including future additions to this loop trail linking back to Salmon Arm.

      The route is a four season challenge, with variations in the winter where more obvious lines open up under snow cover. It’s doable in a very long day by mountain bikers or nordic ski tourers, but also lends itself well to an overnight, especially for through hikers.

      As mentioned, a series of shorter circuit trips can be linked along the extended route. Together they can be collected over time to build a complete traverse. Parties can also add overnight visits to the Larch Hills Nordic Society’s Main Chalet or Cec’s Cabin. New single track trail sections and overnight shelters are planned for the future, to extend winter and summer touring options for the area. Watch for updates.
      Primary Trail Type: Cross-Country
      Land Status: Crown Land
      Land Manager: Rec sites and Trails B.C.
      Staging google parking directions
      Activities Click to view
      Region Details
      • 2
      • 8

      Region Status
      Open as of Jun 17, 2023

      Stats

      Avg Trail Rating
      Trails (view details)
      11
      Trails Mountain Bike
      10
      Trails E-Bike
      8
      Trails Horse
      5
      Trails Hike
      11
      Trails Trail Running
      11
      Trails Snowshoe
      2
      Trails Backcountry Ski
      1
      Trails Nordic Ski
      9
      Total Distance
      22 miles
      Total Descent
      6,205 ft
      Total Vertical
      2,722 ft
      Highest Trailhead
      4,192 ft
      Reports
      170
      Photos
      55
      Ridden Counter
      1,434

      Photos of Larch Hills Traverse Mountain Bike

      47 |
      Sep 24, 2022 @ 5:55pm
      Sep 24, 2022
      51 |
      Sep 24, 2022 @ 5:55pm
      Sep 24, 2022
      37 |
      Sep 24, 2022 @ 5:55pm
      Sep 24, 2022
      23 |
      Jul 28, 2022 @ 10:41am
      Jul 28, 2022
      30 |
      Jul 28, 2022 @ 10:40am
      Jul 28, 2022
      30 |
      Jul 28, 2022 @ 10:40am
      Jul 28, 2022
      54 |
      Jul 24, 2022 @ 1:19pm
      Jul 24, 2022
      58 |
      Jun 30, 2021 @ 8:59pm
      Jun 30, 2021

      Videos of Larch Hills Traverse Mountain Bike

      Larch Hills Traverse - Sicamous Section
      23:07 | 616 | Jun 14, 2011

      Recent Trail Reports

      Activity Feed

      usernameactiontypetitledate
      andrewfromjasperaddreportLarch Hills Traverse (Ida View Section) and 5 more
      Sep 24, 2023 @ 8:34pm
      1 day
      bmacintoshbvoterouteSCC XC
      Sep 23, 2023 @ 9:15am
      3 days
      remeddiewishlistrouteSCC XC
      Sep 20, 2023 @ 3:38pm
      Sep 20, 2023
      JoeDickupdaterouteSCC XC
      Sep 19, 2023 @ 8:23am
      Sep 19, 2023
      KlarkentwishlistregionLarch Hills Traverse
      Sep 18, 2023 @ 7:32am
      Sep 18, 2023

      Recent Comments

      usernametypetitlecommentdate
      littleman34trailLarch Hills Traverse (Ida View Section)Really fun narrow track, super flowy
      Aug 2, 2023 @ 5:05pm
      Aug 2, 2023
      rallawaytrailLarch Hills Traverse (109fsr to 112fsr)Free iof snow but a fair bit of blowdown to be...
      May 5, 2023 @ 1:04pm
      May 5, 2023
      JoeDickreportLarch Hills Traverse (Ida View Section)got
      Sep 8, 2022 @ 10:45am
      Sep 8, 2022
      JoeDickreportLarch Hills Traverse (Ida View Section)got
      Sep 8, 2022 @ 10:44am
      Sep 8, 2022
      JoeDickreportLarch Hills Traverse (Ida View Section)got
      Sep 8, 2022 @ 10:44am
      Sep 8, 2022

      Nearby Areas

      namedistance
      Rubberhead Trail System 20 74.1 km
      Larch Hills Nordic Trails 6 5 24.3 km
      Reinecker Creek Trail System 35.2 km
      Park Hill 29 46.6 km
      South Canoe 20 32 46.7 km

      Activity Type Stats

      activitytypetrailsdistancedescentdescent distancetotal verticalratingglobal rankstate rankphotosreportsroutesridelogs
      Mountain Bike1020 miles6,053 ft11 miles2,723 ft
      #4,059#21273170212
      E-Bike817 miles4,478 ft9 miles2,379 ft
      #2,359#11411422
      Horse512 miles3,261 ft6 miles2,028 ft
      #384#1587
      Hike1122 miles6,204 ft12 miles2,723 ft
      #3,321#1881702
      Trail Running1122 miles6,204 ft12 miles2,723 ft
      #3,328#1841701
      Snowshoe25 miles1,362 ft3 miles1,913 ft
      #8325
      Backcountry Ski12,792 ft49 ft423 ft125 ft
      91
      Nordic Ski919 miles4,826 ft10 miles2,723 ft
      #100#7431
      • By JoeDick STAB SCC & contributors
      • Admins: STAB, SCC
      • #42694 - 2,060 views
      • larch hills traverse activity log | embed map of Larch Hills Traverse mountain bike trails | larch hills traverse mountain biking points of interest

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