Popular Hiking & Walking in and Around Penticton
With miles of hiking and nature trails, Penticton and the South Okanagan is a great place to enjoy some of the popular local spots to take a stroll or get the heart rate up more with a hike, all while taking in the fabulous views.
VANCOUVER PLACE TO MCCULLOCH TRESTLE ALONG THE KETTLE VALLEY RAIL (KVR) TRAIL
Length: 5km round trip
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, paved path and packed gravel
Access the KVR Trail via Vancouver Place. Walk, run, bike or horseback ride along this historic trail while enjoying spectacular vistas of the Okanagan valley, past working vineyards and wineries to get to the McCulloch Trestle.
PENTICTON CREEK WALK
Length: 4.5km one way (9km round trip)
Difficulty: Easy, paved path and sidewalk
Walk from Ikeda Gardens at the Penticton Art Gallery, next to Okanagan Lake, along the creek, up to the Penticton Water Treatment Plant, the former fish hatchery next to the Penticton reservoir. Great for joggers, dog walkers, strollers/children and all ages.
AllTrails Map – Penticton Creek Trail
PENTICTON CHANNEL WALK
Length: 7km lake to lake (14km round trip)
Difficulty: Easy, packed gravel
Walk from the Rose Garden on Riverside Drive over the bridge and follow the path next to The Channel from Okanagan Lake all the way down to Skaha Lake.
AllTrails Map – Channel Pathway
CARMI/ELLIS CREEK, CANYON VIEW TRAIL
Length: 2km loop
Difficulty: Easy, unpaved
Start at the Garnet Fire Interpretive Site parking lot, just off Beaverdell Road from Carmi Road, and just before the cattle guard. Hikers should avoid the steep downhill mountain biking trails that crisscross the established hiking/skiing trails. Enjoy scenic viewpoints overlooking Penticton and the Ellis Creek canyon.
AllTrails Map – Canyon View Trail & Ellis Ridge Trail
CARMI/ELLIS CREEK, ELLIS RIDGE TRAIL
Length: 3.5km round trip, out and back
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, unpaved
Start at the Garnet Fire Interpretive Site parking lot, just off Beaverdell Road from Carmi Road, and just before the cattle guard. You can extend your hike from the Canyon View Trail and enjoy the Ellis Ridge Trail. A very scenic stroll all along the ridge, keep children and dogs close as the trail does get close to some cliff edges. A popular trail for hiking and mountain biking.
AllTrails Map – Canyon View Trail & Ellis Ridge Trail
CARMI RECREATIONAL TRAILS NETWORK, OKANAGAN VIEW LOOP
Length: 7km loop
Difficulty: Moderate, unpaved, packed gravel
Trailhead is just off Beaverdell Road, 12km up Carmi Road, parking on the right hand side of the road, trails on the left hand side. You’ll be within the forest through most of the hike but this loop offers the best vistas, especially at the northwestern point, where you’ll also find a warming hut and benches. Great for hiking or snowshoeing, depending on the time of year you visit!
Rec Sites & Trails BC – Carmi Network
CARMI RECREATIONAL TRAILS NETWORK, CARMI LOOP
Length: 3km loop
Difficulty: Easy, unpaved
Trailhead is just off Beaverdell Road, 12km up Carmi Road, parking on the right hand side of the road, trails on the left hand side. A popular trail for groups, great for walking, running or snowshoeing.
AllTrails Map – Carmi Loop
SOUTH SPUR KETTLE VALLEY RAIL (KVR) TRAIL, PENTICTON TO OKANAGAN FALLS
Length: 14km one way (28km round trip)
Difficulty: Easy, groomed gravel / double track / paved roadway
Northern trailhead is at the south end of Wright’s Beach Camp. This section of the KVR trail is quite flat, well maintained, offering scenic views of Skaha Lake; passing through campgrounds and the community of Kaleden before crossing a restored railway trestle bridge into Okanagan Falls.
AllTrails Map – KVR Penticton to Okanagan Falls
CAMPBELL MOUNTAIN, CAMPBELL DH, SUFFER’N TO DQ AND SUMMER GAMES
Length: 5km loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Start from the Campbell Mountain Parking Lot up Reservoir Road and Greyback Mountain Road, just before the cattle guard. Get on the Campbell DH trail then to Suffer’n to DQ, follow this onto Whoop Trail and loop back on Summer Games then onto Campbell DH back to the parking lot, enjoying views of the city and Okanagan Lake along the way. Great for hiking or trail running.
MUNSON MOUNTAIN
Length: 1km round trip
Difficulty: Easy, packed gravel
Famous for its iconic PENTICTON sign, Munson Mountain is a favourite hike known for its breathtaking scenery and photo opportunities. Start from the parking lot at the base of the mountain and follow the trail to the summit. Great for families and all ages.
AllTrails Map – Munson Mountain
SMETHURST TO LITTLE TUNNEL ALONG THE KETTLE VALLEY RAIL (KVR) TRAIL, NARAMATA
Length: 9km round trip
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, packed gravel
Start from the Smethurst Road parking lot, and walk, run, bike, horseback ride, or snowshoe in the winter, along the trail while enjoying spectacular vistas of Okanagan Lake, ending at Little Tunnel with fantastic views stretching all the way down the valley to Skaha Lake and up towards Peachland. Great for all ages.
AllTrails Map – Little Tunnel
NARAMATA CREEK FALLS, NARAMATA
Length: 2.5km round trip
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, unpaved, packed trail
Start from the Naramata Creek Park parking lot, and follow the forested trail alongside the creek to the beautiful waterfalls. You’ll have to cross the water a couple times and it is shaded, so summertime is best to visit this trail as it is too icy in wintertime and the snow takes a while to melt, and in spring the water is too high to cross. Popular with dog walkers and families.
AllTrails Map – Naramata Creek Falls
GIANT’S HEAD PARK, SUMMERLAND
Length: 5km round trip
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Start from the Giant’s Head Parking lot on Milne Road. There are various trails you are able to take to the top, and it will be approximately a 5km round trip. You can take the roadway, Grind Trail, East Ridge Trail, or Friendly Giant Trail, and at the top is the Upper Loop Trail. Many trails cross over and connect to one another, so you can try out different routes each time you visit. The Upper Loop can be reached by driving all the way up Giant’s Head Park Road and parking at the upper parking lot. Beautiful panoramic views await you at the summit.
AllTrails Map – Giant’s Head Mountain Park
PEACH CLIFF, OKANAGAN FALLS
Length: 4km round trip, out and back
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead is on McLean Creek Road. Enjoy beautiful views of Skaha Lake and overlooking Okanagan Falls at the top. The last section is quite steep and is a scramble, so hiking poles may be required or left to experienced hikers. Keep your eyes open as you may spot some bighorn sheep along the way.
AllTrails Map – Peach Cliff
WHITE LAKE LOOP, WHITE LAKE GRASSLAND PROTECTED AREA
Length: 13km loop
Difficulty: Easy, unpaved
Enjoy beautiful views and 2 small lakes along this loop. Close to the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, cell phones must be turned off or put into Airplane Mode, so be sure to download the trail map before heading out. Popular for birding, hiking and with dog walkers.
AllTrails Map – White Lake Loop
NʕAYLINTN, MCINTYRE BLUFF, OLIVER
Length: 10.5km round trip, out and back
Difficulty: Moderate, unpaved, packed trail
Trailhead is located at Willowbrook Park on Johnson Crescent. Please note there is a per-person donation en lieu of fee as Willowbrook Park is private park. A beautiful hike with amazing views.
AllTrails Map – McIntyre Bluff
HARDY FALLS, PEACHLAND
Length: 3.5km round trip, out and back
Difficulty: Easy, unpaved, packed trail
Trailhead is located off Highway 97 near Antlers Beach, on Hardy Street. The trail is wheelchair and stroller friendly, so it’s very accessible for everyone to enjoy, with a beautiful little waterfall at the end of the trail.
AllTrails Map – Hardy Falls
PINCUSHION MOUNTAIN, PEACHLAND
Length: 1km round trip, out and back
Difficulty: Moderate, unpaved, packed trail
Trailhead is located at the end of Ponderosa Drive. A moderate to moderate-difficult hike, the trail can be quite steep in some places so wear proper shoes and bring poles. At the top, enjoy panoramic views and take a break on the picnic bench. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people, and dogs, while exploring.
AllTrails Map – Pincushion Mountain
Be Prepared
No matter the season, be prepared when outdoors and ensure to abide by the following rules:
• Always check the current weather conditions and weather alerts along your planned journey before heading out
• Know the terrain and conditions
• Bring plenty of water, snacks and a small medical kit with you
• Bring sunscreen, hat, and pack extra layers if staying overnight or camping
• Plan your route, let someone know where you are going and stick to your plan
• Pack out what you pack in, do not leave anything behind
• Make sure your phone is fully charged
• Take a map and compass for navigation or download the Trailforks Mobile App
• Be aware of ticks. Stick to cleared paths and trails, tuck in all clothing, including pants into socks, and use insect repellant containing DEET. When leaving tick country, check all clothing, skin and hair for ticks, and always check your pets for ticks