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Autumn
Kettle Valley Rail Trail to Okanagan Falls

The Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail is one of the most iconic attractions in Penticton. Stretching 660 km from Hope, BC to Castlegar, BC the KVR is a decommissioned rail trail that has be converted into a recreational trail network that is also part of the Trans Canada Trail

Accessible from Wright’s Beach Camp on the Skaha Lake end of town, the KVR trail works its way out of the city to the south right alongside the shores of Skaha Lake down to Okanagan Falls at the other end.

creperie ooolala with sternwheel
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Crêperie Ooolala

Located next to the SS Sicamous on Okanagan Lake, Crêperie Ooolala offers both sweet and savoury crêpes and a selection of coffees to help wake you up for the day.

For savoury crepes, you have 10 options to choose. From the “Classic” ham and cheese or the “Parisienne” ham and cheese amped up with garlic and parsley, to the “Breaky” with egg, bacon bits, crispy onions and cheese, the “Ole!” with chorizo, roasted red peppers, cheese, sundried tomatoes, spinach, green onions and hot sauce, or the “Sheridan” created by one of their regular customers, which has egg, feta, spinach, fresh basil, cheese and maple syrup.

Those with a sweet tooth can choose from 15 variations of sweet crepes. From butter and sugar or honey and lemon, to the “Berry Much” with nutella, whip cream and fresh strawberries or the “Blue Moon” with fresh blueberries, whip cream and maple.

Fun fact: They first started out in a revamped hot dog cart and have come a long way to their refurbished Airstream trailer.

penticton ekruise bikes
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Penticton E-Kruise

After you’ve fueled up with breakfast, the next stop is to rent an e-bike from Penticton E-kruise, located at Barefoot beach Resort on Skaha Lake!

An electric bike is a great way to explore and gives you the opportunity to discover more. Other options for e-bike rentals include Penticton Bike Rentals, Freedom Bike Shop, Pedego Penticton, Penticton E-Kruise, and Velo Volt Mobile E-Bike Rentals.

Fun fact: Penticton E-Kruise has four pickup locations, and service Summerland, all throughout Penticton, Okanagan Falls and into the Similkameen Valley.

wright beach campgorund
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Kettle Valley Railway Trail – South Spur Access

  • 4200 Skaha Lake Rd, Penticton

After picking up your bike from Penticton E-Kruise, take a ride through the underground tunnel in front of Barefoot Beach Resort and over through Wright’s Beach Camp to the start of the south spur section of the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail at the far end of the campground.

biking the kvr trail along skaha lake
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Kettle Valley Railway Trail – South Spur

  • 930 Pineview Road, Kaleden

This section of the KVR Trail is well-maintained, it is packed gravel with a few small sandy spots to watch for but overall an easy and flat trail, with gorgeous views following the shores of Skaha Lake.

It will take you from Wright’s Beach in Penticton down through Banbury Green RV park to Kaleden Hotel Park and Pioneer Park in Kaleden and continuing on past Ponderosa Point and all the way down to Okanagan Falls.

kaleden hotel park
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Kaleden Hotel Park

  • Second Street & Ponderosa Ave, Kaleden

The Kaleden Hotel Park is one of the main landmarks along Skaha Lake. Once very active with a packinghouse alongside, the building now is a reminder of Kaleden’s vibrant past. A popular spot for photos, they also have a few tables if you wanted to stop for a break or a snack.

You can also check out the nearby Pioneer Park, with a white sand public beach along with floating rafts, park, gazebo, picnic area, BBQ area, volleyball, pickle ball, tennis, and basketball courts as well as public washrooms.

Fun fact: The Kaleden Hotel, built in 1910, was one of the first buildings in Kaleden to feature electric light, running water, private sleeping porches and exclusive dining rooms.

Linden Gardens
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Linden Gardens

With an e-bike getting up the hill to Linden Gardens can be done without breaking a sweat! Stroll through the picturesque 9 acre garden and green space then stop into the cafe for lunch.

Frog City Cafe sits right at the centre of the breathtaking Linden Gardens. Enjoy organic coffee, high-quality loose-leaf teas, handcrafted specialty drinks, and fresh-baked goodies while surrounded by gorgeous flowers and stunning trees. And don’t forget to stop by and say hello to the goats!

Fun fact: Linden’s green legacy began as one of the first fruit farms in Kaleden. 75 years later, Ken and Margaret Hayter have lovingly transformed Linden Gardens into a lush 9 acre oasis brimming with flowers, trees, shrubs, ponds and streams.

ok falls full trestle bridge aerial
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Okanagan Falls KVR Trestle Bridge

  • Okanagan Falls KVR Trestle Bridge, Okanagan Falls

After lunch, continue south on the KVR Trail and you’ll cross the long wooden trestle bridge as you enter Okanagan Falls.

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The Heart of Wine Country

If you’re looking to enjoy some Okanagan wine while out on your biking adventure, the The Heart of Wine Country, which includes the wineries of the Okanagan Falls and Skaha Lake area stretch from the shores of Skaha Lake to the tip of Vaseux Lake. You’ll find a string of small wineries with big heart crafting big wines.

Each winery has its own unique approach to maximizing the incredible terroir of the region. The wines of the Okanagan Falls Skaha Lake Winery Association range from award winning bubbles to aromatic Rieslings and Gewürztraminers through to bold Syrahs and juicy Cabernet Sauvignons.

Fun fact: With highly-rated soils in Class one or Class two, a low risk of autumn frost, and ratings for solar radiation measurement and growing degree days that showed how well suited the lands are, there is no doubt that the Okanagan Falls and Skaha Lake area is very desirable for vineyards. Okanagan Falls is home to over 32 individual vineyards as well as other fruit orchards.

the bistro at wild goose winery plate of food and bottle of wine
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The Bistro at Wild Goose Winery

While in Okanagan Falls and visiting the area wineries, stop for dinner at the Smoke & Oak Bistro, located at Wild Goose Vineyards. Enjoy the vineyard view from their tasting room patio while you dig into some amazing appetizers and salads, local meats from the smoker, local favourite Bison Burger, creatively inspired sandwiches and sides, including the signature Smoke & Oak Corn Bread.

The Wild Goose Bistro team believes in using local products and flavours in new ways to bring the world of BBQ cuisine to Okanagan Falls.

Fun fact: The story of Wild Goose Vineyards began in early 1983 when founder Adolf Kruger and his two sons, Hagen and Roland, purchased a barren piece of land east of Okanagan Falls. Upon his return to his newly purchased property he discovered a large flock of Canada geese feeding amongst the tumbleweeds, boulders, and rubble. As he approached, the flock of geese took flight and flew to the north. This vision inspired Adolf to call the property Wild Goose Vineyards.

family at ticklberry;s ok falls
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Tickleberry’s – Okanagan Falls

  • 1207 Main St, Okanagan Falls

Next, stop at Tickleberry’s original location, which opened in Okanagan Falls in 1990, for a well-deserved ice cream, before heading back up to Penticton.

Visit their gift shop and choose from a wonderful selection of chocolate-covered dried fruits, real-fruit flavoured Ticklebeans, a carefully selected range of local crafts, windchimes, jewellery, hand bags, and garden accessories. You can also watch delicious treats being created right before your eyes with its own Fudge Factory.

Don’t forget they have unique Tickleberry’s magnets, postcards, and t-shirts to take back home!

Fun fact: Before opening in Okanagan Falls as as an ice cream shop, Tickleberry’s first started in the Yukon in 1987, with Dale & Jeanette Hoy tickling the berries off the bushes every fall and turning it into Tickleberry jams.