Two loops and a side trail lead to several viewpoints overlooking the Salmo Valley from the east. There are several hiking options.
Rating: ♦♦♦♦◊
Location: Immediately east of Salmo overlooking the town. On the bluffs above Delaurentils Road.
Difficulty: B1 moderate
Elevation Gain: +487m
Key Elevations: Parking 665m / 2182 feet
Distance: 5.4 km round trip
Time: 3 hours
Season: May to October
Access: Easy – 2WD low clearance
Map: 82F/3 Salmo
Drive: In Salmo Turn onto 4th Street heading east and drive through town crossing the Salmo River. The road becomes Airport Road. Immediately reach a junction, turn left onto Delaurentils Road. Look for the signed trailhead with a parking pullout.
Trail: This hiking network consists of two stacked loops and an “out & back” trail to several viewpoints on rocky outcrops. Walk counterclockwise.
Lower Loop (Boulder Garden Loop) 1.5 km long, +140m elevation gain.
.9kms. Junction with a branch to the right to climb up to the lookouts.
Loop eventually reaches an old road, turn left and return down Delaurentils Road to the trailhead.
Bluffs Lookout Trail. 2.1 km one way, +500 m total elevation gain. Several switchbacks.
1.5kms. First lookout on a bluff. +220m.
2.0kms. Second Lookout. +340m.
2.8kms. Third viewpoint and end of trail. +487m
Return down the branch trail to join the loop and turn right.
Upper loop. Leaves the Bluffs Lookout trail at the second Lookout, traverses south across the slope and descends to reconnect to the Lower Loop. 1.6 km long. -300 m.
References:
https://salmovalleytrailsociety.org/trails/lookout-trail/
https://westkootenayhiking.ca/delaurentiis-bluffs/
