Kelowna's Best Quick Hits

7 superb, short trips (one for each day of the week!) which are ideal for a post-work adventure.

Charlie Boscoe

Images

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Epic views across Okanagan Lake

by Charlie Boscoe

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Just begging to be ridden!

by Charlie Boscoe

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Taking a pause at the Lookout Shortcut Viewpoint

by Charlie Boscoe

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Enjoying the descent

by Charlie Boscoe

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Looking down the lower section, with Kelowna city visible below.

by Charlie Boscoe

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At the start of the trail

by Charlie Boscoe

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The dip halfway down the upper section

by Charlie Boscoe

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On the descent back to Kathleen Lake

by Charlie Boscoe

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Leaving Knox Mountain Drive for the trails.

by Charlie Boscoe

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Kathleen Lake

by Charlie Boscoe

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Looking down on Kathleen Lake from its southern end

by Charlie Boscoe

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The initial section of trail after leaving Knox Mountain Drive

by Charlie Boscoe

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Perfect evening light midway down the descent

by Charlie Boscoe

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Looking down on Kelowna with daylight running out

by Charlie Boscoe

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The aptly-named Teddy Bear junction

by Charlie Boscoe

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A young hiker enjoying the journey to Paul's Tomb

by Charlie Boscoe

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Looking north back towards Paul's Tomb on the trip up to the middle lookout

by Charlie Boscoe

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Once you reach the lake, you won't get lost!

by Charlie Boscoe

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Eerie skies over the lake

by Charlie Boscoe

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Peaceful shore line on the lake

by Charlie Boscoe

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Massive views across Okanagan Lake and Kelowna

by Charlie Boscoe

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Looking down on Rose Valley Lake

by Charlie Boscoe

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Massive views on a snowy November day

by Charlie Boscoe

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High above Lake Okanagan and heading for the top

by Charlie Boscoe

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The view opening up on the descent

by Charlie Boscoe

Description

Kelowna has a thriving economy (especially after remote workers left cities behind during Covid and relocated there) and remarkably quick access to some real wilderness. The idea of combining these 2 lifestyle elements is a popular one, and many of Kelowna's residents make a run for the hills as soon as the working day is done.

In this guidebook we've got 7 suggested adventures, one for each day of the week. 4 of them are mountain bike rides; 2 on Knox Mountain - the closest zone to Kelowna city centre - and then 1 in both Smith Creek and Crawford, 2 of the Okanagan's premier biking destinations. The other 3 routes listed in here are hikes, and they range from the short stroll to Paul's Tomb (a wonderful viewpoint over Lake Okanagan) to the 11.5k trip around Rose Valley Provincial Park, high above West Kelowna.

In the shoulder season, when the days are long enough for an adventure but not long enough for a big mission, the hikes and rides around Knox Mountain are probably the best bets. In the height of summer, when you can still be out on the hills at 10pm, there should be plenty of time for the longer hikes and rides a bit further from town.

Once winter begins to recede and the hills clear of snow, here is your to-do list!

Adventures

Travellin' Man

Explore a remote part of Smith Creek on a narrow and challenging trail

Shale Trail

The classic evening hit for Kelowna's local bikers!

Paul's Tomb

A lovely stroll to one of Kelowna's best known landmarks