Hiking Solitude

Hiking Solitude

Sometimes the best way to cope with the stress and busy-ness of life is to escape into nature. To take in the vibrant colours, freshness, and quietness of a forested path. Not to mention the benefit gained from cardiovascular exercise as well. Luckily in the Okanagan, we can wander to a forested playground practically right outside of our doorstep! These trails can be easily done solitarily, and provide the recharge one is looking for!

Knox Mountain is really well known for residents of Kelowna and beyond. The Knox: Grainger Summit Loop is off the beaten path on the other side of Clifton. It is a difficult trek, which is 5.2 kilometers in duration. The ascent to the summit follows a steep and narrowly winding deer trail. The summit viewpoint provides spectacular views north overlooking Glenmore and Wilden. The descent on the opposite side of the mountain overlooking downtown Kelowna is incredibly steep, so be prepared for some possible slipping and sliding along the way.

Along Westside Road, about 50 minutes outside of Kelowna, is Sugarloaf Mountain. The trail meanders amongst the lush greenery of the forest, but includes some steep ascents to the spectacular views from the summit. The vistas look out towards Okanagan Lake to the south, and the mountain ranges and valleys towards Falkland to the west. The trail is medium in difficulty, aside from some cardiovascular challenging climbs, and is 4.54 kilometers long.

Stephens Coyote Ridge, located in Glenmore near the landfill, is a 5 kilometer, medium rated trail which provides some of the most amazing views of the Glenmore area. The Viewpoint Trail starts off from the northern dog park parking lot, and meanders uphill towards a perch overlooking the Hidden Lake and Yaletown Developments. An alternative trail in this park is the 4.19 kilometer Swamp Loop, which traverses through marshland and meadows, and includes some steep sections and narrow paths.

The Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park (previously known as Cedar Mountain) is located 25 minutes from downtown Kelowna in the Upper Mission. This easy trail is 2.86 kilometers long and does consist of a steep section on the way to the final viewpoint which provides breath taking vistas of Okanagan Lake. Ascending up the man-made stone steps to cleverly crafted rock chairs begs for a meeting of kings!