Your next bucket-list bike vacation awaits in Vernon

Nearly a century ago, construction of the Kelowna branch of the Canadian Northern railway connected Okanagan goods to the rest of Canada. Today, the former Canadian Northern rail corridor once again connects communities from Coldstream to Kelowna, this time as the Okanagan Rail Trail.

The 50km rail trail runs from the north end of Kalamalka Lake south to the center of Okanagan Lake. From the north end of Kalamalka Lake, just south of Vernon, the rail trail traces the lake’s shore south past lakefront neighborhoods, yellow rabbitbrush and bedrock outcroppings.

(Interested in “riding the rails” in Vernon? Check out the full story here!)

Nearly half the rail trail runs along lakefront, creek and natural habitats, connecting visitors to the natural history along this corridor. Here, visitors can follows in the footsteps–quite literally–of untold years of human travel along the lakes and rolling slopes of the Okanagan Valley.

The nearly level rail-grade allows users to hike or bike as little or as long as they like, from lunch-break strolls to high-mileage bike rides. Cozy coffee shops and pretty city parks–some two-dozen within five blocks of the route–allow for pre-ride caffeine stops and post-ride picnics.

And, because this is one of Canada’s banana belts and a famed growing region, cyclists should take advantage of the number of detours to farm markets, wineries, meaderies and distilleries for farm-to-fork–or farm-to-flask–refreshments. After all, cyclists need not work up much of a sweat to reward themselves on this bucket-list bike vacation.

Interested in checking out the Okanagan’s newest rail trail? Head on over to Zenseekers for the full scoop!

If You Go

Start planning your adventure in Vernon here .

Need help with your itinerary? Learn more here.

Uncover more about the Okanagan’s offers for adventure. Check out ZenSeekers #OkanaganExploring Expedition page to see how you can have an adventure like this.