5-Mile Road & Viewpoints

5-Mile Road & Viewpoints

1. Difficulty: Medium/Hard
2. Warnings: No official warnings. Check social media feeds below for current trail status updates.
3. Wheelchair accessible: no
4. High-clearance 4×4 advised to access trailhead? no
5. Best seasons: summer, fall, winter (ski)
6. Distance (return): 14.4km / 9mi
7. Approx. time: 5-6hrs return (walking), 3-4hrs return (skiing), 3-4hrs return (biking)
8. Elevation gain: 670m / 2200ft
9. Steepest grade: 15%
10. Viewpoints: Mountain views, views of the valley
11. Geocache points Unknown
12. Closest bathroom/outhouse: Valemount Learning Centre, Centennial Park or Visitor Info Centre
13. Cell service? Not comprehensive, but in spots.
14. Gear to bring: Bring 2L water/pp, sunscreen, lunch, snacks and mosquito spray
15. How to access/where to park: It’s best to drive up Hillside Dr until you come to a fork in the road. Park at the fork, and begin your ascent on the right. The TV tower lookout is just around the corner. Click here for Google Map Directions to the bottom of Hillside Dr. Click here for directions to the advised parking area
16. Best Parts: Despite being a road, it’s a beautiful place to be. Many species of trees grow tall next to the road. Great views along the way in three separate directions (south, west and north).
17. Worst Parts: This is a gravel road and can sometimes get rutted or muddy, especially during the spring. The road is used by vehicles so be wary at corners. The mosquitoes are there during the summertime – but nothing a little mosquito spray or net shirt can’t handle!

Trail Description:

5-Mile Road is a feeder road to several different trails, as well as a good trail in itself (because it’s a road, though, you’ll be sharing with other traffic). The road was recently improved so that it is not more than about 15% grade. The road is better suited for biking or skiing than walking, because of the easier descent. Recent logging has opened up several new viewpoints along the road, allowing users to see down the valley towards McBride. From the top, the trees obscure some of the valley view, but you can see Kinbasket Lake in the southwest. Be sure to wear sunscreen, as the sun beats down on the road where the trees don’t provide shade.

Elevation change profile (metres and km). Click to expand.

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