Walking Routes in Blind Bay | Winter Edition
For such a beautiful and popular place, Blind Bay certainly does not provide the safest or easiest place to walk safely! Especially in the wintertime when the already narrow roads become even more narrow and lack any shoulder at all. We have very few street lights and NO sidewalks. These are all perfect ingredients for a less-than-ideal walking situation.
But, with a few safety precautions and a little route knowledge under your fanny pack, you can walk safely in Blind Bay, even at night!
Essential Gear for Walking Safely:
1. Traction for your boots! Crampons, Yaktrax, or boots with built-in cleats.
2. Trekking poles are great this time of year and help to keep you balanced and to prevent falls.
3. Reflective clothing like a high visibility vest.
4. A headlamp for evening and morning walks. Believe that drivers do NOT see you.
5. Reflective or illuminated collars and leashes for the pup!
Need Some Gear? Shop Here! Salmon Arms Local Gear Guide
Traction for your boots! Crampons, Yaktrax, Chains, or boots with built-in cleats.
All are available locally in Salmon Arm. Salmon Arms Local Gear Guide
Need Some Gear? Shop Here! Salmon Arms Local Gear Guide
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Favorite Winter Walking Loops in Blind Bay:
1. Shuswap Lake Estates Golf Course.
They have a path around the greens clear for walkers all winter long. Make this route as long or as short as you like. And in the spring, it is a great stroller path. Views over The Shuswap Highlands and Shuswap Lake can be enjoyed.
Access: Park behind Duffers Den in Blind Bay and the pathway starts here.
GPS location: 50°52'07"N 119°22'54"W
Shuswap Lake Estates Golf Course
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Shuswap Lake Estates Golf Course
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2. The Old Lindsay Farm
This historic and beautiful homestead is a very well-used, forested walking loop.
There are a series of intertwining trails through this lovely Cedar forest that are quite flat and easy. The trails take you past the old homestead and barns. Watch and listen for the elusive Grey Owl!
Access: Blind Bay Road, the long driveway to the old homestead is across the street from 2801 Blind Bay Road.
GPS: 50°53'10"N 119°24'29"W
The Old Lindsay Farm on Blind Bay Road
Shuswap Adventure Girl
One of the interesting out buildings at The Old Lindsay Farm on Blind Bay Road.
Shuswap Adventure Girl
The Old Lindsay Farm on Blind Bay Road
Shuswap Adventure Girl
3. Blind Bay Beach Loop
If there is one thing that Blind Bay has over the big city of Salmon Arm, is that there is plenty of water and beach access! One of my favorite loops takes you through a piece of Blind Bay’s unique history. Start at the old post office on Blind Bay Road, which dates back to 1914, and access the waterfront at Reedman Road Community Park. Enjoy incredible views of Copper Island and the Adams Plateau. Walk westward along the beach to Shuswap Marina, where you will access Ingram Road. A historic road named after early settlers, the Ingrams. Turn left (east) on Blind Bay road and watch for the historic cemetery, where the Reedmans lay to rest, respectively.
Continue towards your vehicle if you parked at the post office or at Reedman Community Park.
Access: Reedman Road Community Park
GPS: 50°53'14"N 119°23'14"W
Circa 1914 Post Office in Blind Bay
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A historic stop at Reedman Community Park with the North Shore Mountains in the distance.
Shuswap Adventure Girl
The historic Post Office in Blind Bay. We celebrated it’s centennial in 2014.
Shuswap Adventure Girl
4. The Highlands Homestead Loop
High up in the Highlands, above Blind Bay is a relatively new development. The homes are beautiful here and so are the views and the forest! There is a great walking loop that is accessible year around. The trail is not marked but follow the well-used path and will it will basically circle and meander around the old homestead.
Fantastic views of Blind Bay, Crowfoot Mountain and the Shuswap Highlands are seen from this popular walking loop.
Access: The parking is just off Highland Drive in Blind Bay. Using the GPS below will take you directly to the parking area. From here, follow the old road and footpath.
GPS: 50°52'12"N 119°23'16"W
The original homestead up in the Highlands of Blind Bay
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Fantastic views of Blind Bay, Crowfoot Mountain and the Shuswap Highlands are seen from this popular walking loop.
Shuswap Adventure Girl
5. Mount Tuam Park
”The park is nestled in a beautiful forested space at Mt Tuam Crescent and features looping bike-skills trails and a gentle walking trail to a spectacular vista overlooking Copper Island on Shuswap Lake. The park was developed in partnership with the Shuswap Trail Alliance with a vision for a multi-use space that would suit both cyclists and walkers.
The short loop walking trail to the lookout is a very easy walk and is a perfect place to sit at the bench and enjoy the view.” ( CSRD, Parks and Recreation“Mt Tuam Community Bike Park”, Jan 11, 2022)
Access: 2410 Mt. Tuam Crescent, Blind Bay, BC
Mount Tuam Park is located at 2410 Mt. Tuam Crescent, Blind Bay, BC
Shuswap Adventure Girl
A spectacular vista overlooking Shuswap Lake and the surrounding mountains!
Shuswap Adventure Girl
6. Sorrento/Blind Bay Park Loop
Among the trees, surrounding the beautiful 12-acre park there is a short route. The perimeter path winds you along Newsome Creek. An easy and gentle loop for the kids!
Access: 2670 Davidson Rd, Sorrento, BC
Sorrento/Blind Bay Park Loop
Shuswap Adventure Girl
The loo at Sorrento/Blind Bay Park Loop
Shuswap Adventure Girl
7. Centennial Field
In the winter there is a make-shift “track” around the field. A decent place to do a few power-walking loops! I like to walk the loop as my kids go sliding on one of the best and fastest toboggan hills around!
Read here for more toboggan and sliding destinations in the Shuswap: Toboggan Tour
Shuswap Lake seen from Centennial Field area.
Shuswap Adventure Girl
