The sun drenched landscape of British Columbia’s southern Okanagan Valley lends itself perfectly to scenic hiking trails, with a concentration around the community of Penticton. Here are sixteen of our favourite fast and fun Penticton hikes, from Giant’s Head Mountain and Mount Nkwala to the Kettle Valley Railway Trail
Hiking
Since the 1990s, the KVR Trail has been a multi-use (cycling, hiking, horse riding) path, taking users around the mountains, vineyards and lakes of the beautiful Okanagan Valley. A walk on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail is a must when visiting Penticton
A cathedral of magnificent trees on Vancouver Island, Carmanah Valley is a magical place for any nature lover to visit. A pilgrimage is definitely worth making despite the more difficult access. Here’s everything you need to know
The Sunshine Coast Trail is an incredible 180km hut-to-hut hiking route in south-west British Columbia, Canada. Read on to discover our own experience hiking the SCT plus a comprehensive planning guide so you, too, can organise your own adventure on this magnificent trail!
Cape Breton’s Fishing Cove trail is a 12km out and back hike, easily accessible from the beautiful Cabot Trail. It an be completed as either a day hike (4-5 hours) or an overnight backpacking trip.
Revelstoke should be the next big outdoor adventure destination in British Columbia. Read on to discover 18 must do Revelstoke attractions and activities that prove it!
Imagine a place with all of the incredible mountain vistas of Banff National Park but none of the mass tourism. This is Alberta’s Kananaskis Valley and the best way to explore is from Mount Engadine Lodge, a road accessible wilderness lodge with all the comforts of civilisation.
Short on time but want to experience the magic of Vancouver Island’s West Coast? Discover 11 fast and fun Tofino hikes which showcase the ancient rainforests, golden sand beaches and incredible panoramic views of this beautiful area.
Featuring a magnificent temperate rainforest with enormous 800 year old trees, a carpet of ferns and draping moss, Cathedral Grove is an essential stop on any Vancouver Island road trip. Officially known as MacMillan Provincial Park, the trees in Cathedral Grove are amongst the oldest and tallest in Canada.
The Bavarian themed village of Leavenworth is an outdoor adventure utopia. Being nestled in the spectacular Cascade Mountains, hiking in Leavenworth is a natural fit. If you’re limited on time (or energy), here are six fast and fun hikes near Leavenworth that are guaranteed to offer a good time.
Giant’s Head Mountain, Summerland, is one of our favourite quick hikes (3.2km return) in southern British Columbia, Canada. It’s a workout with an awesome payoff – a must try when visiting the area!
If you like day hiking, you’ll be spoiled for choice in Nova Scotia. Over seven weeks, we managed to explore several dozen beautiful day hikes and backpacking trails around the province. Here are thirteen of our favourite fast and fun Nova Scotia hikes!
Cape Chignecto Provincial Park hosts one of the few multi-day backpacking trails in Nova Scotia. It is quality over quantity in this case, as the Cape Chignecto Coastal Trail provides a beautiful, varied and challenging hike, showcasing the power of the huge Bay of Fundy tides. This is a backpacking trip not to miss.
Travelling through the middle of tundra, mountains and limitless wilderness, the Dempster Highway offers one of the best road trips in the world! Here’s everything you need to know so you can take on this adventure yourself
The Great Stones Way may just be Britain’s answer to the Inca Trail. For what it lacks in altitude, the Great Stones Way more than makes up for it with mysterious ancient sites, idyllic thatched villages and wonderous panoramic countryside views.
Just a short drive south of Penticton, the Peach Cliff hike is short, interesting and rewarding. The epic views stretch from Penticton to Vaseux Lake. It’s perfect for those slightly chilly autumn afternoons when you’re feeling lazy but it’s just way too sunny to stay inside.
Breathtaking and mind-boggling beautiful from almost start to finish, the Maple Pass Loop trail in Washington has to be the most rewarding and satisfying 12km I have hiked anywhere.
Advice for the 160km South Downs Way from a solo female hiker, featuring safety and trail details as well as navigational and accommodation tips
My experience on the UK’s 100 mile long South Downs Way path travelling through farms, forests, fields and ancient settlements.
If you’re looking for a fun and hassle-free first-time backcountry experience in British Columbia, head to Cathedral Provincial Park in the beautiful Okanagan-Thompson region.