Coal Creek Heritage Trail Suspension Bridge

The Fernie Trails Alliance, Coal Creek Heritage Society and Tourism Fernie are excited to invite the community to celebrate the official opening of the new Coal Creek Heritage Trail Suspension Bridge.

This exciting project is a major milestone in connecting the North and South sides of the Coal Creek Heritage Trail Loop and reconnecting an important piece of Fernie’s history, recreation, and active transportation network. We are all so thankful for the funding we received for this project through the Destination Development Fund from the Province of British Columbia.

The celebration will take place June 13, beginning in the morning with a delegation and VIP guided tour, followed by an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11am. After the ceremony, the community is invited to stay for a BBQ lunch, gathering, and afternoon activities for all ages.

From 1pm onward, guests can enjoy cemetery tours and storytelling that brings Coal Creek’s rich history to life. Local historians and community members will help share the story of life up Coal Creek, the mining history, and the evolution of Coal Creek and Fernie over time. You can also take a look at the new signage and learn about the trail construction progress.

Families can also enjoy a variety of old-fashioned games and activities including egg-and-spoon races, potato sack races, tug-of-war, rubber boot toss, three-legged races, and more. It’s designed to be a fun, welcoming event for the whole community.

The new suspension bridge is a key part of the larger Coal Creek Heritage Trail Loop project, helping connect trail users safely while improving accessibility and creating new opportunities for walking, biking, and community recreation. The project reflects the shared vision of preserving Fernie’s history while building sustainable outdoor infrastructure for future generations.

The Fernie Trails Alliance and Coal Creek Heritage Society would like to thank the many partners including the Fernie and District Historical Society, Lee-Anne Walker, Vanessa Croome of Claris Media, Pat Gilmar for his vast knowledge of mining and Coal Creek history, Ed Gillespie Project Manager, volunteers, funders, and supporters who have helped bring this project to life. Collaboration between local organizations continues to make projects like this possible.

Everyone is welcome to attend—whether you bike, walk, or simply want to come celebrate this exciting addition to Fernie’s trail network. We hope to see you there on June 13!