Okanagan Rail Trail

Hiking In The North Okanagan 

By Heather Paulsen

When people think of the Okanagan most think of beautiful lakes, amazing golf and of course skiing, but do they think about hiking? With spring in the air, my thoughts immediately turn to one of the other great options – hiking. Hiking enthusiasts like myself are getting excited to hit the trails! There are so many options in the Shuswap and North Okanagan it’s hard to decide which trails to do first. For me, it depends on the group of hikers and their levels of ability. No worries though, there are plenty of options to suit your energy and experience.

There has been an explosion of options for hiking in the past couple of years. One of my favourites is a stroll along the Salmon Arm Foreshore Raven Trail. It’s a medium length hike and not too strenuous. The newest hike is along the lakeshore on the Okanagan Rail Trail that parallels Kalamalka Lake. It’s a relatively flat hike with a wide walking path, plenty of room for hikers and bikers.

Now, if you are more experienced and enjoy climbing, two of the most challenging hikes are the Enderby Cliffs or the Blind Bay Bluffs at McArthur Heights. You will be rewarded for the effort with scenic trails and magnificent views.

Even in winter, the North Okanagan has options. Larch Hills and Sovereign Lake Nordic Centres each have marked snowshoe trails in case the itch strikes in the colder months.

So, if you are new to the area or you’re visiting the Shuswap or North Okanagan be sure to take in a hike while you’re here. If you’re moving to the area you may want to consider join one of the groups that builds and maintains a world-class network of trails.

For further information and access to trail maps check out these great links:

Visit the Shuswap Trail Alliance http://www.shuswaptrailalliance.com/

Ribbons of Green Trail Society http://www.ribbonsofgreen.ca

City of Vernon https://www.vernon.ca/parks-recreation/parks-fields-beaches/trails

Heather Paulsen is Priscilla & Company’s North Okanagan and Shuswap area expert. Call her today (250-549-7050) if you are interested in purchasing or selling. She can answer any of your questions about the amazing opportunities to live and work in the North Okanagan.