We’ve all done it – briskly walking the trails, focusing on the destination rather than the journey. We strive to make it to the viewpoint and returning before it gets dark, partially ignoring the beauty around us. While the views at the end of the trail make this type of jaunt worth it, something a little extra special happens when you slow down and soak in the atmosphere of the forest.
Spending time in nature has been proven to be beneficial to us. It helps reduce stress, aids in concentration, and is great exercise. The Japanese art of shinrin-yoku, or Forest Bathing takes these benefits to the next level.
Forest Bathing is the practice of using all 5 senses to connect with the nature surrounding you. Disconnecting from your devices lets you to be fully present in the moment. Slowing down to a snail’s pace helps you take in more of the surroundings. You notice every little movement in our forests. The aroma of pine needles and wildflowers graces your sense of smell. Listening intently, you hear every tree creaking in the wind and every bird chirping their sweet melodies. Your breath deepens and a sense of calm comes over you. You’ve replenished your spirit and reawakened your soul.
To join a guided Forest Bathing trip in the Kootenays, visit Forest Therapy with Guide Pat Bavin in the Columbia Valley. Their three hour Columbia Walk, is designed with enough time to reach a walking meditation awareness that will calm the mind, improve clarity, enhance the heart, and boost your immune system. This well-rounded walk will give you the ultimate opportunity to experience the richness of what the forest offers.
The Kootenays holds other guided nature hiking experiences where you have a chance to experience the tranquility of our forests and mountains.
While in Kootenay and Yoho National Park, take a guided hike with Parks Canada staff to the Burgess Shale Fossils or the Paget Lookout. The Burgess Fossils are some of the oldest signs of life on our planet, while Paget Lookout takes you to a viewpoint over the Kicking Horse River and Continental Divide.
Revelstoke Local Tours is an interpretive guiding hiking company and they are recognized by the Interpretive Guiding Association as professional & apprentice guides capable of leading groups of up to 12 guests. The guides are storytellers, experienced hikers and stewards of people and places. Join them on one of their most popular tours – a walk on Revelstoke’s Greenbelt – a leisurely stroll along a paved pathway next to the Columbia River.
For self-guided adventures, the Columbia Valley Bird Trail is full of outdoor adventure opportunities and plenty of bird viewing. Visitors to the area get the opportunity to see some eastern and prairie birds that aren’t really found elsewhere in BC.
The Hemlock Grove Boardwalk and Picnic Area in Glacier National Park has been designed to barrier free standards. The Hemlock Grove Boardwalk trail was developed as a legacy of the Man in Motion World Tour visit. This short 400-metre barrier-free boardwalk offers a rainforest experience to people with mobility disabilities, people with visual impairments and people with other limitations on movement, such as seniors and even visitors with baby strollers. An all terrain wheelchair is available for loan at the Illecillewaet Campground welcome station.
The Kaslo River Trail winds its way 3.6-km along the banks of the Kaslo River. The North Bank features wheelchair accessible portions, while the south bank hosts stunning artwork by the Koots Artist Collective (by Yvonne Boyd, Spring Shine and Chris Pederson) – 7 lifelike sculptures playing hide-and-seek in the woods. See if you can spot them all!
In the Creston Valley, the Kootenay Columbia Discovery Centre offers environmental education programs, events and tours at the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area; a lush wetland which stretches for 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres) from the southeast tip of Kootenay Lake to the US border. An estimated 300 species of birds call this area home. Self-guided walking trails, covered multi-level viewing towers and boardwalk trails which provide the ideal means to explore the area.
