Whether you're in Kelowna to sample vino from one of the more than 40 wineries, let your hair down on a girls' weekend, to see why they call it a "golfers' paradise," or something else altogether, there's a decent chance you have hiking somewhere on your itinerary. Spending time in The Great Outdoors is a four-season activity here, and hiking is number one on many lists of top Kelowna activities. You'll find dozens of hikes right in town, but if you're up for a quick drive, there are even more fantastic options that work well as a day trip nearby, within an hour or so.
Grab your hiking boots and join us as we explore six of the top hiking places in and around Kelowna.
Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Darren Hull Studios
Knox Mountain Park
You don't even have to leave town to find one of the best hike spots in Kelowna—Knox Mountain Park is just north of downtown! Towering about 300 meters (984 feet) above Okanagan Lake, Knox Mountain is understandably one of the top Kelowna attractions, home to several popular hikes. Two of the best options for any level include the Apex Trail and Paul's Tomb.
Apex Trail: Moderate with a steep but manageable incline leading to a lookout at the top of the mountain. From there, enjoy stunning views of the lake and downtown Kelowna.
Paul's Tomb: A much more leisurely hike with little incline leading down to a secluded beach.
Be aware that both trails are popular with mountain bikers, as well. Keep your eyes and ears open, and share the trail (hikers should always yield to cyclists).
Mount Boucherie
Over in West Kelowna, the area's most prominent landmark beckons hikers to its summit. Like Knox Mountain, there are a few options for getting to the top of 758-meter (2,487-foot) Mount Boucherie, which is actually an extinct volcano. The most popular is by far the Boucherie Rush Trail, a steep but rewarding climb with several switchbacks and a breathtaking panoramic view at the end.
Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park
Perhaps best known as a rock climbing destination to get to "The Crags," this regional park in south Kelowna was once called Cedar Mountain Park. A network of easy to moderate trails traverses 400-plus hectares of open space, with some of them connecting to the nearby Lebanon Creek Greenway Regional Park. Most of the trails connect at some point, so you can start anywhere you like. You'll find restrooms near the junction of the Elk and Cedar trails.
Notably, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada has designated the park a Nocturnal Preserve, noting its clear, dark skies with minimal artificial light. If you're into stargazing, pack a headlamp or flashlights and some extra layers, and plan a night hike so you can observe the exceptional night sky!
Kettle Valley Rail Trail
The Kettle Valley Rail Trail is an extremely popular biking destination, but it makes our list of top hiking places as well. It's actually a decommissioned former railway and it's still maintained, so it makes an ideal trail for exploring both on foot and on two wheels—nice and flat, with incredible scenery! While the entire trail is quite long, you can tackle different sections and go only as far as you'd like before turning back. Click here to learn more about the rail trail's sections.
If you're visiting Kelowna in the fall, the Kettle Valley Rail Trail is one of the best places to leaf-peep. Specifically, it's one of the best areas to spot golden larches starting in mid- to late September.
Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com - Kim Connelly
Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park
Technically, Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park is part of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. However, because of its uniqueness and popularity, it stands on its own as one of the best hike spots in Kelowna (you'll hear it come up as one of the top things to do around Kelowna in conversation!). With steel bridges, tunnels, and a whopping 18 iconic trestles, you can't miss hiking here. There are many, many trails to choose from, but we recommend one of these shorter ones that offers a tremendous punch in terms of scenery.
Myra Bellevue Small Loop: 5.95 kilometers (3.7 miles); moderate
Crawford Loop: 5.9 kilometers (3.6 miles); easy
Little White Mountain: 10.3 kilometers out-and-back (6.4 miles); moderate to difficult (steep)
Goat's Peak
Located inside one of Kelowna's newest regional parks (officially opened in late 2019), this moderately challenging hike checks every box: it starts off nice and easy alongside the water, then climbs quite a bit up the mountain, and offers stunning views the entire way, including fall foliage and summer wildflowers. You want the six-kilometer (3.6 miles) Goat's Peak Trail, which AllTrails labels as hard because of the incline, but we promise is manageable for even casual hikers. Find the trail just outside of West Kelowna as you're headed toward Peachland.
As you can see, Kelowna’s hiking trails offer something for every hiker, whether you’re chasing in-your-face panoramic views or you want a more secluded forest walk. After a day on the trails in the Okanagan, there’s no better place to relax than The Royal Kelowna, conveniently located in the heart of the city and close to many of these fantastic hikes. Book your stay today and make The Royal your basecamp for exploring BC's natural beauty, all while enjoying luxury accommodations, top-tier amenities, and stunning lake views.
