Golden + Electoral Area A Trails Strategy

Selkirk and LARCH teamed up again to collaborate on developing a comprehensive trails stategy for Golden and Area A in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. The project covers a total area of 13,735 square kilometers, and includes the Town of Golden, Blaeberry, Donald, Habart, Parson, Nicholson, Field and surrounding rural area. The project stretches from Kinbasket Lake to Parson, and from Glacier National Park to Yoho National Park and is in close proximity to all 5 of Canada’s Mountain National Parks. With a storied history and legacy of recreational activity, this area has a lot to offer for regional trail enthusiasts.

Motorized and non-motorized recreation and commercial user groups are growing rapidly in the area. This growth in combination with significant environmental and cultural resources speaks to the need for a trails strategy.

The strategy encompasses all user groups including motorized and non-motorized recreational activities, and paddle routes. An inventory of all the regional trails was completed and presented to the public for feedback in the spring of 2017. A trail classification was developed and used to classify existing trails for all user groups. Following this a needs assessment was completed incorporating best practices, and stakeholder and community input. These needs were mapped and assessed, and formed the prioritized recommendations within the plan. The plan was adopted by Council and implementation has begun through the creation of the Golden and Area A Trails Alliance.