If you’re looking for a perfect getaway that combines outdoor adventure, food, and cosy accommodation, a long weekend in Revelstoke should be on your list. With epic hikes, stunning national parks, and charming small-town vibes, it’s a destination that offers a little something for everyone. This itinerary details how to spend the ultimate fall weekend in Revelstoke including a stay at the beautiful Alpha Mountain Lodging, where you can unwind in comfort after a day of adventure.
How to Get There
Revelstoke is about a six hour drive from Vancouver, taking you through some of British Columbia’s scenic landscapes. If you’re coming from Calgary, the drive is just under five hours. The journey takes you along beautiful forested highways and offers stunning mountain views. Alternatively, you can fly into Kelowna Airport and rent a car for the two hour drive to Revelstoke.
When to Visit
Revelstoke is a popular destination year round, attracting visitors for winter snow sports and summer activities such as hiking and mountain biking. However, autumn is my personal favourite time to visit. The cooler weather makes hiking more comfortable, and the vibrant fall foliage transform the mountains and forests into a colourful tapestry of red, orange, and yellow. This season makes an ideal time for both outdoor adventures and quieter, more relaxed explorations. Plus, the town feels a little less busy compared to the peak summer and winter seasons, giving you a chance to take in the peaceful, cosy atmosphere.
Where to stay
For a truly memorable experience in Revelstoke, I highly recommend staying at Alpha Mountain Lodging. This hidden gem is nestled at the base of Boulder Mountain, just 4 km from the town centre. This charming family run retreat features four modern-rustic cabins, all offering stunning mountain views. Each cabin comes with a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, heating and Wi-Fi to ensure your comfort during your stay. You’ll also have access to a sauna and a gear drying room for added convenience. Plus, if you’re travelling with a furry friend, three of the lodges are pet friendly, making it easy to bring your companion along for the adventure.
Day One: Arriving in Revelstoke
After a big travel day, we arrived in Revelstoke and headed straight to Mt. Begbie Brewery. Here we grabbed some beers, a classic pepperoni pizza and buffalo wings. After enjoying our meal and the stunning mountain views from the microbrewery, it was time to check into our accommodation. Since we had some big adventure days planned for the weekend, we decided to spend the evening relaxing in our cosy cabin.
Day Two: Hiking in Glacier National Park
We spent the second day of the trip hiking in Glacier National Park, kicking off our adventure on the Abbott Ridge trail, one of the best hikes in the park. The trail is a challenging 17 km return trip with around 1,500 m of elevation gain. Once you break free from the forest, you are met with incredible views of the mountain surrounding peaks. But the challenge doesn’t end here; the trail splits into two paths, offering either a short or long route that adds an extra 3 km. We chose the short route, which was no steeper than the forest section, but it did involve some scrambling before reaching the meadows, where we were treated to the most beautiful fall colours.
From the meadows, continue following the trail up towards the hill to your right. Once you reach the top of the hill, make your way out to the ridgeline, where you will find the beautiful alpine hut shown in the images below. Stop here and take in the view. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can continue along the trail up the ridge to the summit for 360 degree views.
After our big morning adventure, we were ready to refuel, so headed into town for a late lunch at The Village Idiot. I had the Garlic Pesto Chicken Club, and we shared a poutine.
After lunch, we returned to Alpha Mountain Lodging to relax and unwind. After such a big day, it felt amazing to relax in the sauna. Alpha Mountain Lodge really has thought of it all; there’s nothing better than being able to sit in the sauna after a huge day of hiking and rest those tired muscles.
Day Three: Hiking Mount Revelstoke National Park
We started the day early with coffee and breakfast at Dose Cafe before heading to Mount Revelstoke National Park. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the best weather, with rain predicted to start around 11 am. However, we made our way to the trailhead for Eva, Miller and Jade Lakes, hoping to beat the weather and reach at least one of the stunning lakes.
Before starting the lakes trails, we took a detour along the short trail leading out to the old fire lookout. After taking in the views and encountering our first snow flurry, we decided to embark on the shortest trail first: the Miller Lake hike, which is 11.6 km return with a 405 m elevation change. The hike is relatively easy but quite long. On the way to Miller Lake, we encountered more snow flurries, which added a unique touch to the adventure. However, after reaching the lake, we decided it was best to head back into town for the day rather than continue to Eva Lake. If you have the time and good weather, I recommend spending the day exploring all three beautiful lakes.
After making it back to town, we grabbed takeaway bagels from La Baguette and made our way back to our cosy cabin to escape the rain. Once the rain stopped, we were lucky enough to spend some time exploring the beautiful Kihîw Nature Trail, an enchanting interpretive trail that has just been constructed throughout the property. The trail was littered with stunning orange leaves, and the day’s rain added to the fairytale atmosphere.
For dinner, we headed to Old School Eatery for cocktails and a meal. This restaurant is located in an old school building, with walls adorned with pictures of past school events. It’s a popular spot, so I recommend making a reservation in advance to avoid the queue.
Day Four: Home time
On our final morning, we took the time to relax after a busy few days. I enjoyed multiple cups of coffee and dove into a good book while lounging around the cabin, making the most of the last moments there. If you have time, perhaps sneak in one last sauna session.
After checking out, we headed into downtown Revelstoke for breakfast and more coffee at Modern Day Bakehouse. We decided to grab takeaway coffee and pastries, then spent some time wandering the charming streets before starting our journey home.
If you’re planning a broader British Columbia trip, you might also spend some time in hiking in Vancouver, where you’ll find a completely different mix of coastal and alpine hikes.
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