Hiking Trails in Vernon, BC
Okanagan College Connector, Vernon, BC
About Vernon, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Vernon, British Columbia is a city that is situated within the spectacular Okanagan Valley. The valley is well-known for its excellent wine and fruit-producing and has some of the sunniest and hottest weather in Canada, along with milder winters that are not typical of the country. The city is a tourism hotspot that features several lakes which are ideal for summertime activities. Aside from the lakes and beaches of Vernon, the city is also surrounded by mountains that are perfect for hiking. There are hiking trails on pretty much every mountain that show off the incredible views of Okanagan Lake, Kalamalka Lake, and Swan Lake.
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How to Get to Vernon
Map of Vernon
Predator Ridge Hiking Trails
Predator Ridge is a small community on the outskirts of Vernon that features several world-class golf courses and resorts. It sits atop the mountains overlooking Okanagan Lake and has several hiking and biking trails that show off its scenic views. One of the Predator Ridge trails evens connects with exquisite Ellison Provincial Park.
Here are the Predator Ridge Hiking Trails.
Okanagan Lake Lookout Loop - 3 km
Deer Trail - 8 km
Bobcat Trail - 9 km
Sparkling Loop - 1.2 km
Falcon Point Trail - 1.4 km
Birdie Lake Loop - 1 km
Granite Trail - 4.1 km
Ridge Trail - 3.5 km
Ellison Ridge Connector - 1 km
Blister Sister
Ellison Connector - 2.5 km
Longspoon Loop - 2,5 km
The Ranch Trail
Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park
Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, Vernon, BC
Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park is perhaps Vernon, BC’s most prized possession. The park boasts numerous hiking trails that lead you to epic views overlooking the turquoise waters of Kalamalka Lake. There are 4 beaches within the park Cosens Bay, Jade Bay, Juniper Bay, and Pet Beach along with several rocky coves that are perfect for swimming. The beaches are beautiful and each one requires a hike to get to. The Cougar Canyon area of the park is a favorite among hikers and rock climbers due to its plethora of rocky cliffs and ravines.
Here are the Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park Hiking Trails.
Parabola, Lookout, and the Wall Loop Trail - 6.1 km
Comin Round’ the Mountain Loop Trail - 8 km
Rattlesnake Point Trail 2.3 km
High Rim Trail
Cosens Bay Waterfall
Okanagan College Connector
Okanagan College Connector, Vernon, BC
The Okanagan College Connector is a single hiking and biking trail that connects part of Vernon near Fulton Secondary School with another part of town where the Okanagan College is. The trail has splendid views that overlook Okanagan Lake and Swan Lake. You will also enjoy the sweeping views of the city of Vernon, and Turtle Mountain which lies across town. There are strategic benches set up on the trail that overlook some gorgeous parts of the Okanagan Valley and in the springtime, the wildflowers come out and create a colorful display that is well worth seeing.
BX Falls
BX Falls, Vernon, BC
BX Creek and Falls hiking trail is located at the foot of Silver Star Mountain and is just a few minute’s drive from Vernon. The falls only take about 5 minutes hiking from the parking lot, but the trail continues on to the old dam at the end. if you do choose to hike to the dam, then you will hike along the creek for 3.7 km (2.3 mi) 1-1.5 hours one way, approximately 3 hours round trip. When you get to the dam you will be delighted with the tranquil swimming holes that are perfect for cooling off after a long hike.
Grey Canal Trail
Grey Canal Trail, Vernon, BC
The Grey Canal Trail was once a long irrigation system that runs along the hillsides of Vernon and had provided water to the early orchards that dotted the valley. Once better irrigation technology arrived the Grey Canal was deemed obsolete. Nowadays the community is fixing up the trail piece by piece to turn it into a public hiking trail area. Slowly but surely the city has unveiled new sections for public use and plans to eventually connect the entire trail. The trail is an easy hike/walk and provides excellent views of the valley and the lakes within it.
Bluenose Mountain
Bluenose Mountain, Vernon, BC
Bluenose Mountain is located on the outskirts of Vernon in the small community of Lavington. The mountain is of volcanic origins and its large presence can be spotted from many miles away, particularly when you visit the Kalamalka Lakeviews Drive Lookout. The mountain itself takes about an hour to climb and has several different trails that take you to the top. Once up there you will be treated to splendid panoramic views and unique geologic cliff formations.
Campbell-Brown Trail
Campbell-Brown Trail, Vernon, BC
The Campbell - Brown hiking trail is just a few minute’s drive from the city of Vernon along Highway 97. The trail was built on the remnants of the old highway between Vernon, and Kelowna and has excellent views of Kalamalka Lake. If you choose to, you will be able to connect to the Okanagan Rail Trail and do a loop right back to the parking lot, which takes around 2 hours.
Adventure Bay Trail
Adventure Bay Trail, Vernon, BC
Adventure Bay Trail is located in a scenic part of Vernon with the same name “Adventure Bay”, which looks out over Okanagan Lake. The hike is quite arduous but is fairly short taking around (1.5 hours) there and back. It provides hikers with splendid scenery the entire way up and once on top you will get stunning 360 views of the valley.
Cougar Canyon
Cougar Canyon, Vernon, BC
The Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve is a 553-hectare hiking and rock climbing spot within Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. The reserve has narrow canyons and a chain of six picturesque lakes along with wetland habitats that are perfect for wildlife viewing. The park doesn’t get very many visitors throughout the year, but it has spectacular rocky cliff scenery, as well as lush green wetland vegetation at the bottom of the valley.
Ellison Provincial Park
Ellison Provincial Park, Vernon, BC
Ellison Provincial Park has spectacular scenery featuring sheltered coves of clear jade colored waters, along with gorgeous red sand beaches that are unmatched in their unique beauty. There are many hiking trails throughout the park that take you precariously along the edges of high cliffs that overlook the shores of Okanagan Lake.
Here are the Ellison Provincial Park Hiking Trails.
You and Me Loop Trail - 3.7 km
RPM and Ellison DH Trail - 10.6 km
Ellison Park Nature Trail - 2.9 km
Blisters Sister Trail - 5 km
Home Run and Upper Veedol Trail - 5.3 km
Space Between Trail - 3.9 km
Rim Rocks Trail
Rim Rocks Trail, Vernon, BC
Rim Rocks Trail is a moderately difficult hike with some intense areas. It is situated high up in a mountainous wilderness area known as King Edward. The trail takes you along some breathtaking cliffs and finally down into an ancient volcano to discover some incredible geology that includes large rock spires and gigantic boulders that are the direct result of a massive eruption at some point in history.
Spion Kop Trails
Spion Kop, Vernon, BC
Spion Kop is located in the Lake Country area of the Okanagan Valley between the cities of Vernon and Kelowna and features several hiking trails that allow you to ascend the mountain. Upon reaching the top you will have great views of Okanagan Lake, Wood Lake, and Ellison Lake.
Here are the Spion Kop Hiking Trails.
Arrowleaf, Summit and Tower Trails Loop - 4.7 km
Arrowleaf, Summit and Spion Kop Loop - 6.8 km
Spion Kop Trail - 6.4 km
Lupine Trail to North Overlook - 4.2 km
Arrowhead Trail - 3.7 km
Raptor Loop Trail - 3.1 km
Middleton Mountain
Middleton Mountain, Vernon, BC
Middleton Mountain provides an excellent trek through the arid cactus riddled grasslands that are native to the Okanagan Valley and provides a great 360 view of Kalamalka Lake and Swan Lake. The trail is a moderate 3.2 km loop that is great for families, as long as you watch out for the ominous prickly pear cacti that cover the ground.
Rocky Ridge Park
Rocky Ridge Park, Vernon, BC
Rocky Ridge Park is a small park and hiking area located on Turtle Mountain and is the perfect example of the Okanagan Valley’s arid desert-like environment. It provides sweeping 360 views and is perhaps the most complete view of the city of Vernon. The trail is hot and dry with full sun exposure and is devoid of any trees other than prickly pear cactus’. The trail is short but for a more lengthy hike connect with the nearby Grey Canal Trail.
Swan Lake Nature Reserve
Swan Lake Nature Reserve
The Swan Lake Nature Reserve is an easy walk that leads you through picturesque savannah-like fields packed with grasses that are over 6 feet tall. You will be treated to scenic rolling fields lined with quaint farmhouses and decrepit barns from the days of old. The surrounding hills roll down into the flat prairie-like valley and create a natural canvas with lovely photogenic qualities.
Okanagan Rail Trail
The Okanagan Rail Trail is part of a decommissioned railway system that stretches for 50 km through the North Okanagan. The newly built trail takes you along three gorgeous lakes including Kalamalka Lake, Wood Lake, and Ellison Lake. You will enjoy incredible scenery along the way, as well as picture-perfect beaches and the brilliant unmatched turquoise waters of Kalamalka Lake.
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