Most visitors to Mt. Revelstoke National Park drive the 25 km to the top of the mountain, then hike one of the trails in the sub-alpine meadows. This 100 year-old park (in 2014) also has a number of fine trails on the lower part of the mountain. The two most accessible trails are the Soren Sorenson Trail and the Inspiration Trail. The two can be combined into one loop from the same trailhead.

To hike the Soren Sorenson Trail, drive up the Mount Revelstoke Road, but turn right at 0.5 km and follow this gravel road to the parking area near a kiosk and washrooms. This trail was a cross-country skiing trail until the newer trails on Mt. McPherson were built.

The trail can be done as a 2km trail, a 5km trail or a 7.5 km trail, combined with Inspiration Woods. The upper trail goes first to the Nels Nelson Ski Jump.

Nels Nelson won the first ski jump competition on Mount Revelstoke in 1915. The next year he broke the world record. He was first among Canadian amateurs many times and in 1925 captured the world title. Jumping stopped during WWII, but the site was built to Olympic standards and a tournament of champions was held annually from 1950 until 1974. The jump slope and judges’ tower can still be seen at the Nels Nelson Historic area today.

The trail winds through cedar-hemlock forest with scattered birch and white pine.

At 2.5 km, the trail starts to loop back as it comes to the Parkway Road. At this point, hikers can cross the road and go over to the Inspiration Woods Trail. This lovely trail climbs a small ridge, then follows a creek valley northwest. Old growth trees, ferns, devils club, and a bubbling creek make this a delightful forest walk.

The trail loops at the far end, then returns back to the trailhead. Recross the parkway and complete the Soren Sorenson Trail back to the start.

Soren Sorenson worked for Parks Canada in the 1950’s and became a leader in developing cross country skiing in the area in the 1960’s and was largely responsible for creating this nordic trail. Today it is used by walkers and bike riders and is linked to trails right out of Revelstoke.

Note – the images for this article were corrupted so removed.