Riders' Paradise
Our West Kootenay Motorcycle Basecamp
The Valhalla Inn is ideally situated at the crossroads of some of the West Kootenays’ best motorcycle riding, giving you the rare opportunity to stay in one place and choose a completely different adventure each day.
Highway 31A
For pure motorcycle enjoyment, start with Highway 31A, the stretch from New Denver to Kaslo, of the International Selkirk Loop known affectionately as the Sidewinder. The 46-kilometre route climbs through the Selkirk Mountains and winds through rugged wilderness, forests and mountain passes, with corner after corner and very little traffic.
Along the way, take a detour to Sandon, the legendary historic mining town, or simply keep riding toward Kaslo and Kootenay Lake. Once in Kaslo, you can continue south along Highway 31 toward Balfour and connect with even more spectacular Kootenay roads.
This is the ride for riders who come for the curves.
Highway 6 — The Big Scenic Ride
Head the other way from New Denver and Highway 6 opens up a very different kind of adventure. The road follows the Slocan Valley south toward Slocan and beyond, passing lakes, rivers, forested mountains and small historic communities. Continue toward Nelson to create a longer day loop, or turn the ride into a full West Kootenay circuit.
In the opposite direction, Highway 6 takes you north from New Denver toward Nakusp. The approximately 46-kilometre stretch between New Denver and Nakusp is scenic and relaxed compared with 31A, with beautiful lake and mountain views and plenty of opportunities to stop and take it all in.
And for riders looking for a full-day adventure, Nakusp becomes a gateway to even more riding — including the roads toward the hot springs and the spectacular routes continuing north through the mountains.
With New Denver sitting at the junction of Highway 6 and 31A, you can spend several days here without riding the same road twice, or, if 31A leaves you wanting more, simply turn around and ride it again.
With The Valhalla Inn as your base, you’ll have the opportunity to explore multiple legendary loops.
World Famous Cycling Trails
Sitting at a remarkable crossroads in the West Kootenay cycling network, The Valhalla Inn is an ideal base for multi-day cycling adventures. Two of the region’s signature cycling circuits both pass through New Denver.
The Silver Triangle (230 km) is a spectacular multi-day cycling circuit connecting New Denver, Nelson, Kaslo and the Slocan Valley.
With New Denver positioned directly on the route, the Valhalla Inn makes a natural place to begin, break up or finish the circuit. The ride combines mountain roads, beautiful valleys, lakes and historic Kootenay communities, making it an ideal adventure for cyclists who want to experience the region rather than simply cover kilometres.
The Kaslo–Slocan Loop (220 km) offers another exceptional multi-day route through the heart of the West Kootenays, linking Nelson, Kaslo, New Denver and the Slocan Valley.
Day rides from the Inn:
Head east on Highway 31A toward Retallack and Kaslo for a challenging mountain ride, with significant climbing and spectacular Selkirk Mountain scenery.
Head south toward Slocan and the Slocan Valley for a more relaxed day in the saddle with quieter valley roads, lakes, rivers and mountain scenery.
Or head north toward Nakusp and explore the roads and trails around the Upper Arrow Lakes, with opportunities to create longer day rides and connect with the region’s extensive network of routes.
For gravel riders and bikepackers, the historic Galena Trail, Nakusp & Slocan Rail Trail and other sections of the old railway network offer an entirely different way to experience the landscape.
Whichever route is calling your name, New Denver puts you remarkably close to it all.
For the History Buffs
For those who like a little history with their mountain adventure, New Denver and the Slocan Valley offer an extraordinary story to explore.
Long before the arrival of European settlers, the Slocan Valley was home to Indigenous peoples, including the Sinixt, who travelled, fished and lived throughout the region. The modern history of the valley changed dramatically in the 1890s with the discovery of rich silver-lead deposits. Prospectors and fortune seekers poured into the mountains, giving the region its famous name: the Silvery Slocan. Towns such as Sandon, New Denver and Silverton sprang up almost overnight, connected by mines, railways and steamships. Sandon became one of the great mining centres of the era, while New Denver developed into an important service and transportation centre.
The boom was short-lived, and many of the mining towns disappeared as quickly as they had emerged. Today, remnants of that era can still be explored throughout the valley from historic buildings and railway grades to mining sites and the ghost town of Sandon.
But the story did not end with the mines. The valley became home to farming and forestry communities, including Doukhobor settlers, and during the Second World War New Denver became the site of an internment camp for Japanese Canadians who had been forcibly removed from their homes on the coast. The Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre, located on the former Orchard camp site in New Denver, preserves this difficult and important chapter of Canadian history.
Today, the Slocan Valley is peaceful and remarkably beautiful, but its history is still written into the landscape. Explore the Silvery Slocan Museum, wander through historic mining communities, follow old railway routes, visit Sandon, or simply look around at the mountains and imagine the extraordinary lives that unfolded here more than a century ago.
Paradise for Cyclists and Motorcyclists
Waterventures
Paddle boarding, Fishing, Kayaking or more you can do while soaking in the refreshing water.
Winter Wonderland
New Denver is a place of wonder in the winter. Serene and peaceful, usually under a blanket of snow, the region lends itself to adventurers who seek thrills skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and ice fishing!
Feeling the Art in the Valley
Last but not least, New Denver is a place of art. There’s the Valhalla Summer School of Music. The Hidden Garden Gallery in town showcases local artists and has weekly vernissages during the summer. Finally,