Hi Michel,
Cranbrook is in the centre of the East Kootenays.
Oh yes tons of hikes all over. Mountain biking too. The town is pretty redneck and almost like a burned out forestry town, but the area is pretty amazing. Whereas Nelson is more of a relaxed, laid back town, I found Cranbrook is more of a tough, hunting, pissed off sawmill worker kind of town.
The East Kootenays go from the US border, up to the Golden area, east to the Alberta border, and west to the Creston area. Creston is the border zone. West of Creston is the West Kootenays until you get to about Rock Creek, then the Okanagan starts.
Outside of Cranbrook there is one hike there called Lakit and it takes you up to a lookout cabin at the top of the Rockies. Amazing view. Crazy hike though. Straight up for a couple hours. You have to bring water too, there is none at the top. Coming down is harder on my legs.
There is also a ton of intermediate and easy hikes too.
Generally, a sunny area too in comparison to the Coast Mountains.
