Explore a landscape shaped over millions of years, where fossils, rock layers, and natural features reveal the powerful forces that formed this region.
Follow the trail as ancient oceans transform into towering mountains, uncover the stories behind remarkable fossil finds, and discover how each location fits into the larger geological history of the Elk Valley.
Whether you’re planning your next adventure or exploring from home, the Animated Trail Map offers an engaging way to experience Paleo Trail BC.
This unique journey through the Elk Valley and surrounding region connects breathtaking mountain landscapes with millions of years of geological and prehistoric history.
From fossil discoveries and ancient rock formations to scenic trails and educational experiences, the Paleo Trail offers an exciting way to explore the past while discovering some of British Columbia’s most beautiful landscapes. Check out the three communities below!
Fernie is especially significant because of the famous Fernie Formation, a sequence of sedimentary rocks dating back to the Jurassic period, approximately 145–165 million years ago. These dark shale and sandstone layers were formed from ancient seabeds where mud, silt, and organic material slowly accumulated over time.
As tectonic forces pushed and folded the Earth’s crust, these once-flat ocean floors were lifted high into the Rocky Mountains, preserving fossils and geological clues along the way.
As you explore the Paleo Trail through Fernie, take time to look closely at the surrounding landscape. The cliffs, valleys, and rock layers all hold pieces of Earth’s history waiting to be discovered.
Every fossil, stone, and mountain ridge tells part of a story that began millions of years ago — long before humans walked these valleys. Today, that story continues to inspire curiosity, exploration, and a greater appreciation for the natural history that shaped the Elk Valley.
One day 150 million years ago, a herd of long necked Diplodocus dinosaurs walked along the shores of an ancient lake. Following this herd of gentle giants was a pack of predatory Acrocanthosaurus dinosaurs.
Fast forward 150 million years, and this lakeshore is now on a mountaintop in southeastern British Columbia. Amazingly, the tracks of both species were perfectly preserved throughout their geologic journey.
As part of our Line Creek Dinosaur Trackway display, we not only feature a cast of the trackway found at the Line Creek mine site, but replicas of both dinosaurs that walked along that lakeshore 150 million years ago. The Diplodocus, when he rose up onto his back legs to eat from the tall trees, stood two and a half times the size of the Terex Titan, which stands at over 22 feet tall.
The Acrocanthosaurus would have weighed two to three tonnes at his biggest, which means that 117 of them would have been necessary to match the weight of the Terex Titan. Out main attraction is the diorama, that depicts the scene from which scientists believe occurred for the trackway to form.
Long before the Rocky Mountains, the Rocky Mountain Trench, and the Purcell Range defined this landscape, a vast ancient ocean covered what is now the East Kootenay. Cranbrook sits at the heart of one of British Columbia’s most remarkable fossil regions — and the story of that prehistoric world is very much alive here.
The Cranbrook History Centre is home to internationally recognized paleontology specimens, with fossil displays highlighting species discovered across the East Kootenay, from trilobites to other remarkable aquatic creatures that once inhabited these ancient seas.
The oldest trilobites on display are more than 450 million years old — among the most ancient life forms you’ll encounter anywhere.
Whether you’re looking for a short stop, a half-day adventure, or a full day of discovery, each itinerary is designed to help you experience the best of the Paleo Trail. Follow curated routes, uncover fascinating fossils, and connect with the ancient stories hidden throughout British Columbia’s remarkable landscape.
