Known for its warm summers and mild winters, Kelowna is an ideal destination year-round. With these favourable conditions, you’ll be able to get outdoors and enjoy your favourite activities whenever you please.
For many, vacation means spending your days at the beach, drinking and eating good food while soaking in the quality time with friends and family. But, for Kelowna locals, one of the best ways to get out and enjoy this beautiful area is to go hiking.
While staying at The Shore, you don’t have to choose – you’ll always be close to these activities and more. Its proximity to hiking trails, beautiful wineries, sandy beaches, superb dining, and so much more means you can do everything you love in a single day. The best part? No matter where you go, you’ll never be far from your home-away-from-home at The Shore.
To help you get started on your next outdoor adventure, here are our top recommendations for hiking in Kelowna.
Hiking in Kelowna
Knox Mountain
Located in the heart of Kelowna, Knox Mountain is a local favourite for outdoor activities. This staple of downtown Kelowna is a paradise for hiking, biking, running, tennis, and even disc golf. It has 15 well-marked and easy to access trails, multiple shade-providing pavilions, and stunning views of Kelowna and the surrounding areas. This makes it a prime area to hike in!
Of the 15 trails, Apex Trail and Paul’s Tomb Trail are the most popular. The Apex Trail stretches about 2 KM and is moderately difficult with a few steep sections along the way. At the top, you will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views and a shade-providing pavilion to enjoy them from.
Paul’s Tomb Trail, on the other hand, is a more family-friendly hike. Starting from the Apex trailhead, it travels a similar distance, but goes around the steep side of the mountain. It’s a nice and easy stroll by the lake that will take you down to a secluded beach area. Near the beach, you’ll pass the tomb of one of Kelowna’s pioneering families: The Pauls. A fun bit of history to accompany your hike!
Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park
Just a 10-minute drive from The Shore, Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park is another popular area for hiking in Kelowna. This expansive provincial park covers 52 hectares of protected land and includes some unique historical features, such as the Kettle Valley Railway and recovering burn zones from the 2003 wildfires. Located opposite Knox Mountain in the valley, the trails offer spectacular views of Lower Mission and downtown Kelowna from a different perspective.
Although it’s most popular among mountain bikers, the Myra-Bellevue trail network has 16 trail options for hikers. Of the 16 trails, the Small Loop and Teddy Bear Loop are the most popular options and are also family-friendly hikes.
The Myra-Bellevue Small Loop is a 6 km trail through a wide forested area and is rated as an easy-to-moderate challenge. Although lookout points are limited on this trail, the ecological diversity in the area will give you a lot to enjoy during your hike.
The Teddy Bear Loop is similar in length to the Myra-Bellevue Small Loop, but slightly more challenging. Meandering through the burn zone of the 2003 wildfires, this loop will take you on an interesting tour. There’s a moderate climb to start that levels out at the Teddy Bear Junction where you can enjoy views of Kelowna from the Rose Lookout. The remainder of the loop is relatively flat and shaded until a steep (but short) path down begins.
When hiking in this area, be sure to know your route and pack a map. With this many trails and crossing paths, it can be easy to get turned around.
Hiking Near Kelowna
Bear Creek Provincial Park
Located in West Kelowna, Bear Creek is another popular area for hiking. It is a small trail network featuring three main trails, the longest of which is the 2.5 KM Canyon Rim Trail. It features considerable stairs, a waterfall at the end of the canyon, and a view of Kelowna from across the lake.
Mount Boucherie
Once again located in West Kelowna is Mount Boucherie, a 50 million-year-old extinct volcano. It’s a moderate 5.5 km climb to the top with many switchbacks and a few loose sections of trail. Be sure to look down as you hike over ancient lava rock!
Get Out and Stay In
The Shore Kelowna is centrally located near all the outdoor attractions and hiking that Kelowna is known for. Our fully-equipped lakeside suites offer hotel-like amenities, with easy to access fitness studios, groceries and shopping. Unwind after a great hike with a dip in the lake and dinner at one of the many nearby restaurants.
Make the most of your vacation by staying at The Shore. Browse our suite rentals or book your stay today!