Full Day Adventures

Full Day Adventures

While there are many great hikes in the region that can be tackled in a couple of hours, many trails provide the opportunity for full day adventures. From exploring geological formations and local vegetation or admiring the amazingly breath taking views and vistas, these full day treks not only provide a great workout, but an opportunity to take it the awesome landscape that our region has to offer. 

Mt. Eneas is a difficult 13.2 kilometer route that traverses from Peachland to Summerland along the old fur trade route utilized by the Hudson’s Bay Company. This scenic trek follows mountainous ridgelines and offers valley views along the way. The trial itself isn’t well marked, so it is highly recommended that hikers utilize maps and GPS to follow the route. The summit of Mt. Eneas is at 1100 meters; however there is no viewpoint at the summit due to dense vegetation. The best views are to be enjoyed along the journey of this historic path! Begin the trail at Hardy Falls and end at the Wildhorse Mountain Guest Ranch B&B.

Another historic hike is the Myra Canyon: Full Loop which meanders 17.8 kilometers around the perimeter of the park. Spectacular viewpoints are accessible along the way which provides hikers with outstanding views of the Okanagan Valley and Myra Canyon. Due to the 2003 wildfires in the region, the vegetation is sparse in the area, and hikers are reminded to keep to the trails in order to encourage regrowth. In the spring, it offers a phenomenal opportunity to admire Fireweed, eat wild strawberries, and gorge on Thimbleberries. 

Okanagan Mountain Park was ravaged by wildfire in 2003, and resulted in mass destruction of the forested landscape. The Good’s Basin trail winds 8 kilometers into the park, and provides hikers with an array of obstacles to maneuver around. Hikers should come prepared to vault over logs, traverse creeks and wander through alpine meadows. Views along this trail consist of the stunning Okanagan Valley and the surrounding mountain ranges. Rattlesnakes, bears and mountain goats are in huge abundance in this park. Bear spray is a must!

Escaping from Kelowna to the alpine along Highway 33, hikers can explore Little White Mountain, also known as Highland Trail. This challenging trail traverses 5.39 kilometers through the dense forest south of Myra Canyon and west of Idabel Lake. After a short, but difficult ascent, hikers can revel in the beauty of the sub alpine meadows, pones and ridgeline views of the surrounding valleys. This hike should not be attempted prior to June as there is a likelihood that snow will still be on the ground in the spring months. The alternative route is via Bellevue Trestle closer to Kelowna, but the Highland trail route offers a much more rewarding and serene experience.

A challenging all day exploration is the McDougall Rim: Hayman Lake Loop trail in West Kelowna. This trail is not well marked, so be well prepared to explore, bring a map, and decide in advance the route you are going to take. The trail begins with a difficult initial ascent, but tappers off gradually to meander through the forest. At one point, admire a view of downtown Kelowna overlooking Rose Valley. At another, have a quaint picnic over the secluded Hayman Lake near the summit.