Some of the most amazing hiking trails you’ll ever experience are in the Vernon area, and Tourism Vernon wants you to have #TheBestDayEver!
With stunning views, beautiful trees and chirping birds, you’ll definitely want to bring your camera along.
It can be hard to choose which hike to experience when there are over a dozen options in the area, but there are six that stand out amongst the rest.
Turtle Mountain
To familiarize yourself with the city of Vernon, Turtle Mountain trail is the place to go. It is particularly enjoyable in the evenings for a beautiful sunset hike!
On this trail, you’ll walk beside an ancient lava flow wall above Downtown Vernon with an easterly panorama sweeping through the city. Although this hillside trail is generally an easier hike, there are some short, steep sections.
For more scenic views, there are two other trails to explore nearby:
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West of Turtle Mountain Boulevard is a flat 0.4 km trail that is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. It has remarkable views of Okanagan Lake, and dogs are welcome on leash.
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Follow the flat 0.4 km trail south behind Razorback Court to a wooden stairway that will take you up to Rocky Ridge Park. At the top, you’ll get to witness an outstanding 360-degree view of Greater Vernon. This trail is not recommended for dogs
Parking for the Turtle Mountain trails is available at the trailhead parking lot by Turtle Mountain Boulevard.
Middleton Mountain Trails
Get your heart rate going as you make your way up the switchbacks in open native grassland on Middleton Mountain. Middleton’s summit offers uninterrupted 360-degree views from various vantage points along the hilltop trails.
Birdwatchers will want to look for Mountain Bluebird, Swainson’s Thursh, Western Meadowlarks, hawks and more. You might even spot a Mule or White-tail Deer and yellow-bellied marmots scurrying around.
The north, middle and south loop make up about 6km of trail and takes roughly 2.5 hours to complete. Make sure to enjoy the spectacular views of Kalamalka Lake, the Coldstream Valley, Swan Lake and the City of Vernon at the top.
Predator Ridge Trails
Although Predator Ridge is mostly known for its top-tier golf courses and real estate, the well-maintained hiking trails are truly gorgeous.
You won’t be disappointed by the Okanagan Lake views that are scattered throughout the trails. Plus, you will make your pet incredibly happy by bringing them along on a leash!
With over 35 km of multi-use trails with picnic areas and scenic vistas, there’s an abundance of natural beauty and plenty of plant and wildlife species to observe while trekking through the stunning landscape!
Make your trip as long or as short as you’d like. The trail network map gives a great overview of the different trails - it shows the length, picnic areas, difficulty levels and which trails are best for hikers as bikers are also welcomed.
For those looking to do an extended hike, you can connect to an additional 40 km of multi-use trails in Ellison Provincial Park.
Kal Crystal Waters Trail
Another hike that is an excellent fit for hikers, families and on-leash pets is the Kal Crystal Waters Trail!
The view is jaw-dropping. If you’ve ever visited the lake or passed by on Hwy 97, you’ve caught a glimpse of the scenery, but this hike allows you to truly take in its beauty in nature at your own pace.
Start at Vernon’s Okanagan College Campus or Kal Lake Lookout and make your way to Kekuli Bay Provincial Park, situated on Kalamalka Lake, one of the Okanagan’s most iconic lakes.
Hikers can extend their journey by 1.35 km to Bailey Road or an additional 3.1 km to the Rail Trail north of Crystal Waters Drive.
BX Creek & Falls
If you’ve been looking for a local waterfall with a unique trail, the BX Creek to BX Falls hike is perfect for you.
Follow along a tranquil ravine under the cover of the trees along the beautiful trail. Start from Star Rd for a 3.7km trail among the cedar and birch trees, devil’s club and horsetail.
There are six bridges crossing the creek before a stairway up to an elevated viewpoint of BX Falls. Head down the newly built staircase to get the best view of the falls and enjoy the cool air. to enjoy the cool forest and end with a spectacular view of the falls.
For the full experience, you can explore closer to the waterfall and dip your toes in the pool, snap a photo and take in the stunning natural surroundings!
If time is limited, park at Tillicum Rd and it is a short 10-minute walk down to check out the waterfall.
Coldstream Valley Estates to East Vernon
After just 15-minutes on the Coldstream Valley Estate trail, you’ll be able to enjoy a stunning view of the expansive landscape from Kalamalka Lake through Coldstream, and Vernon to Swan Lake.
Along the trail, you’ll notice mixed native tree species of Black Cottonwood, Trembling Aspen and Douglas Maple. You may even get to see honeysuckle, hawthorns, Saskatoon berries and roses, depending on what time of year you’re hiking.
This trail is easy, but hikers can enjoy a cardio workout along the moderate trail section by following the signs up a steady slope.
Have the #TheBestDayEver!
With all of the remarkable hiking options in the Vernon area, you won’t be disappointed wherever you choose to adventure.
Enjoy the amazing views and have #TheBestDayEver with Tourism Vernon, wherever you choose to go.
View a full map of Vernon’s top hiking trails or connect with Team Tourism for personalized recommendations!
