The remote Valhalla Provincial Park is marked by dramatic knife-edged peaks

A collection of bohemian settlements nestled in forested valleys, the Kootenays region is British Columbia's best-kept secret.

Draft-dodging hippies flocked here from the United States during the Vietnam War and the area remains a haven for artists, activists and alternative lifestylers.

The Kootenays is blessed with turquoise lakes and salmon-choked rivers and is surrounded by four dramatic mountain ranges - the Rockies, Purcells, Selkirks and Monashees.

This wildlife-rich region is crawling with elk, deer, moose, wolf, cougar and black and grizzly bears. Be sure to pack the bear spray if you're planning on hiking any of the provincial parks.

Nelson is the cultural and economic heart of the Kootenays. It has a population of 10,000 and some of the finest restaurants and shopping in the province.

Nelson makes an ideal jumping off point for exploring the idyllic communities of Kaslo, Slocan and New Denver or for hiking beneath knife-edged mountains in the remote Valhalla Provincial Park and soaking au naturale in rustic outdoor hot springs in Nakusp.