The little town of Revelstoke on the edge of the Canadian Rockies is currently standing high on my “I need to move there right now” list. In fact, when I flick through the pictures in and around this city I almost get this homesick kind of feeling. Mind that I’ve only been in Revelstoke for three days, si I guess that’s kind of insane right? But don’t blame me, blame that charming, quirky town as there’s just something about Revelstoke.
The town of Revelstoke goes way back (in terms of Canadian history) as it was founded as a stop on the Canadian Pacific transcontinental railroad. That’s the one that first linked Eastern and Western Canada. You feel history’s all around when you’re walking in the city center. Especially the buildings along the main street have this old look and feel.
Revelstoke may be most famous for its ample skiing opportunities (from time to time it’s even impossible to reach or leave the town due to the abundance of snow; hence its nickname ‘Revelstuck’), but even if you’re out of the skiing season, this town should not be missed in my opinion. So if you’re on your way to Banff try to squeeze in an extra day in your schedule to visit this quaint town with its even lovelier community.
Mt. Revelstoke – Meadows in the Sky Parkway
Let’s start with the best scenic drive in town. The ‘Meadows in the Sky Parkway’ basically is one long (25 km / 15.5 miles) drive up along the southern side of Mt. Revelstoke, featuring many switchbacks and awesome viewpoints. Drive this road up and before you know it you’re standing on a mountain summit!
The parkway felt like a well-maintained road and even I – a rookie when it comes to driving along mountainsides – had little problems climbing up. Unfortunately it wasn’t possible anymore due to the snow to drive the road all the way to the top, but I could still make it to some viewpoints.
From Monashee Viewpoint you have a spectacular view on the town of Revelstoke below, as well as the surrounding hills of that famous ski area.
At the end of the parkway, you can also choose from a variety of well-marked trails. Whether you want a short or a long day trip, a hike to a lake or to better viewpoints; there’s some for everyone! I visited the parkway during a week day in autumn, but I read that you may need to arrive early in the morning in case you want to hike during those busy summer weekends, as the parking lot can fill up quickly.
Also, apparently in August the subalpine meadows with wildflowers at the peak are supposed to explode into all kinds of colours. Sounds pretty cool right? A fine reason for myself to return.
Another advise I’d like to give you is to limit your speed while driving both up and down. You might just bump into these ↓
Look at this band of brothers.
I was both very lucky and unlucky the day that I was driving this parkway. I saw something moving in the bushes, pulled over and when I shut down the engine these fellas came out one by one.
I was like whuttt – three of them?! Unfortunately I’d made so many photos in the Rockies that my SD-card refused all new clicks ?. Full! Anyway I got my mental pictures and yes, luckily a few of these as well.
The bears were annoying each other so much that they must have been family ?.
Spend a rainy day @ The Railway Museum
All aboard… the train geeks! Since the railway system has been such an important part of Canadian history, it truly is interesting to learn a bit more about its construction. Personally I’d say It’s impossible not to be impressed by the huge undertaking of the Trans-Canadian Railway, especially if you read the stories of hardship, given the icy conditions of Canada, while constructing and undertaking this road.
Although it looks like a big building on the outside, the Railway Museum is relatively small, which is great if you’re not in the mood for spending half a day in a museum. Nevertheless it’s worth it. After reading all the stories about the hard work of the engineers and workers I had the feeling I had been transported to that train era myself, if only for a little while.
Quite close to the museum you’ll find Le Marche Gourmet. It’s a little shop, but as soon as you walk through the door I had the feeling I was in some kind of superb trattoria in Italy. The food on offer is all high-quality and everything I bought in here was relatively cheap and so tasty.
Buy a sandwich or salad on the go and don’t forget to check out what cheeses are on sale!
Release the stress @ Peak Axe Throwing
So honestly, this isn’t an activity that I would be comfortably with doing on my own, but fellow travellers told me that this “Peak Axe Throwing” in downtown Revelstoke was crazy fun. Plus you learn a bit about Revelstoke’s forestry industry while axe throwing.
I guess if you really want to have a very Canadian experience, or you just need to blow off some steam or you just want to enjoy that MacGyver-feeling, then throwing sharp objects at logs is your wheelhouse in Revelstoke!
A little loop @ Giant Cedars Boardwalk Trail
At the eastern side of Mt. Revelstoke there’s this little boardwalk trail, with easy access just right off the highway. It takes something like 20 minutes to get there from Revelstoke.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend going here as a day trip item, but if you happen to drive to Banff anyway this would make for a nice stop along the way to stretch the legs. Myself I came from Banff and I thought it was the boardwalk was just a pleasant and quick stop.
The boardwalk is very easy to manage and therefore people of all ages can enjoy the majestic cedars along the way. If you want to learn more about the trees, there are some placards along the walk of how the cedar forest grew in this region.
All in all it takes something like 20 minutes to walk the loop. For some kind of reason I didn’t even picture it (although picturing big trees is difficult anyway), but I did manage to snap this beautiful view while driving right after that boardwalk stop during sunset along the highway ↓
Eerie vibes @ Three Valley Gap Ghost Town
I was slightly confused when I entered this ‘ghost town’, which is a 15-minute drive from Revelstoke’s city center. Three Valley Gap isn’t a ghost town in the sense of an old village being abandoned. It’s a gathering of neat, old buildings from all over BC, which they have taken down and reconstructed here.
But don’t think it feels fake or something because of that. As all the buildings do have a very interesting (and often distinct) history, it feels like you’re visiting several museums at once. Moreover the village has a beautiful mountainous backdrop and there’s a great collection of the ‘steampunk age’ stuff available (think of cars, trains and machinery). There’s also a restaurant and gift shop at the beginning of the ‘village’, in case you want to buy some goodies.
Even though Three Valley Gap isn’t even a real ghost town, it still has something eerie. But personally I really liked the vibe in here!
More history @ Revelstoke Museum
This super tiny downtown museum only takes something like 45 – 60 minutes, but will give you a nice overview of the history of Revelstoke and especially of what life must have been like in the early days of the train era and how the skiing craze developed in town.
However, the best reason to visit this place is its gift shop! Don’t think badly of me, I’m really not that into shopping, but they had some lovely local and original Christmas items on sale when I was visiting the place.
Where to stay on a budget: Journey’s Perch Guesthouse!
Even though it’s a little outside the city center of Revelstoke, Journey’s Perch Guesthouse has been the best guesthouse or hostel I’ve EVER stayed at in my life. By far. And yes I’ve stayed at many many hostel in many many countries by now.
This guesthouse is relatively new and located in a freshly renovated church, with loads of nooks and crannies to relax at. I saw some pictures of the church and I have to say the reconstruction of the place must have been an immense job, but they played it out so well. There are still some original features visible, such as the stained glass windows which give the place a bit of extra character.
The building has a very comfortable and easy-going vibe and it feels as if no-one feels the pressure to do anything. In a good way that is. Both staff and guests interact in this very relaxing and casual atmosphere and I’d the feeling some people were just staying forever in here. And I was slightly jealous of them.
The rooms are spacious, the beds are comfortable, amenities are ridiculously clean and the included breakfast is superb. If you want to have a bit of a better deal, try to contact the guesthouse directly via Facebook. The only downside is the price, even though I know every ho(s)tel is unbelievably expensive, $35,- USD still is a lot for a bed in a dorm in my opinion.
Here some pictures of the interior and the nearby Illecillewaet River (great for a stroll!) ↓
Here’s where to find that town, the trail, museums, ghost town and my #1 guesthouse!
