The Best of the okanagan

5 Day All-Inclusive Cycling Holiday in British Columbia

Duration: 5 Days

Cost: $2750 (Based on double occupancy)

Join the team at Into The Wild for an incredible cycling adventure along the Great Trail and Kettle Valley Rail Trail this summer!  On our five-day Okanagan cycling tour you will ride through some of the most spectacular landscapes British Columbia has to offer. This fun filled, action packed bike tour takes you off the beaten path and allows you to reconnect with nature. From the rolling hills & fertile vineyards to the inviting lakes of the Okanagan Valley, this multi-day cycling tour has been carefully crafted to ensure guests get a true taste of what this unique region has to offer.

Itinerary 

Day One – Kelowna to Vernon (50 km)

There will be two optional meeting locations for the tour on our first day. We can meet guests at Kelowna International Airport if they decide to fly into our starting location or they can take the early morning van transfer from Vancouver to Kelowna.

The day begins with a quick meet & greet and bike fitting, before we begin our first cycle along the beautiful Okanagan Rail Trail. This spectacular trail, which was officially opened in September 2018 has been a huge success connecting the local communities of Vernon and Kelowna along a separated multi-use path. We begin our bike ride at Wood Lake, one of the Okanagan’s warmest and calmest lake. It’s well-known for kokanee and trout fishing, water sports and beaches. There are plenty of places to slow down and connect with nature, along or close to the trail as we pedal along and admire the scenery.

As we bike North, we will reach another lake called Kalamalka Lake. It is a marl lake known for its spectacular range of colours, from teal to cyan to indigo. Limestone deposits left by the receding glaciers reflect sunlight, creating this vibrant display of colours. Kalamalka Lake is precious to local communities – not only for its beauty and water sports, but also as the source of drinking water in the area. Much of the area surrounding Kalamalka Lake is within provincial protected areas conserving the unique drylands ecosystems for future generations. For those guests who wish to cool off, a quick dip at Kal Beach or one of the many jetties along the trail, comes highly recommended from our enthusiastic tour guides (who may already be in the water before you have a moment to make up your mind). Lunch will be served al fresco from a local cafe in Vernon before we get back on the bikes and complete our cycle all the way to the hotel door. Tonight’s accommodation will be in the elegant 4* Hotel aptly named Castle at Swan Lake Hotel. That evening we will dine together in town and plan out our next day’s biking adventure.

Day 2 - Myra Canyon to Penticton (67km)

Following a light and healthy breakfast we will take a short van transfer to the top of the mountain at Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park. Prepare yourself for a day of spectacular scenery in this historic region of British Columbia. Myra Canyon is home to one of the most famous bike rides in North America. Here, the Kettle Valley Rail Trail runs along a steep-walled canyon in the shape of a horseshoe as it weaves its’ way down the mountain. Along the way we cycle over eighteen magnificent trestle bridges & two tunnels on our journey towards Penticton. This section of the KVR is often referred to as “McCulloch’s Wonder” in homage to the great engineer Andrew McCulloch who designed and constructed the Kettle Valley Railway in the early 1900’s. This corridor is one of the most dynamic routes in Canada, with impressive scenery and striking views over the Okanagan Valley. At Ruth Station we will leave the day trippers behind (most people only cycle the 12km section to here) and cycle along the Kettle Valley Trail deep into the wilderness.

Along the way we will stop for lunch at Chute Lake Resort on the grounds of the old station house, where one might feel as though they have stepped back in time. The restaurant and bar are a living museum with interesting antiques and artifacts displayed throughout. After lunch we will jump back on the bikes and descend over 3000 feet into the picturesque town of Naramata. As we pedal along, we are treated to some magnificent vistas over Lake Okanagan as the KVR trail runs parallel to the valley for our bike ride downhill. At Little Tunnel we will take a short rest and savor the spectacular sight for a while. As we descend into the Naramata Bench we will ride through beautiful wineries and colourful fruit farms. The Naramata bench has some of the best wineries in the Okanagan, so inevitably we must stop and sample some of the local treasures on offer. This short section of the KVR is one of our favorite bike rides in British Columbia, it is biking heaven all the way into Penticton and our accommodation for the next two nights at Munson Mountain Estates. At the hotel guests can unwind before we freshen up for an excursion into town for a meal together.

Day Three – Penticton (38 km cycle)

After breakfast we will hop onto our trusty bikes and begin our day straight from the hotel’s front door. We will rejoin the KVR for another great adventure on the two wheels! Today’s ride will be a little more relaxed with the focus being on good food, wine and an optional lazy river float.

As we bike through the lively town of Penticton we will connect up with the Chanel Path trail and cycle alongside the canal, built in the 1950's to control water flow between Penticton's two lakes. At Skaha Lake we will rejoin the KVR trail and make our way South towards Okanagan Falls. This compact and flat trail snakes along the shores of Skaha Lake the entire time providing endless views of the lake, bluffs and natural beauty of the Okanagan Valley. This fertile region is renowned for it’s huge varieties of locally grown produce. One cannot pass through Okanagan Falls without indulging in a delicious ice cream (72 amazing flavours) at the locally owned Tickleberries, a must stop off on a hot summer’s day for tourists and locals alike! Following our sweet treats, we will cycle back along McClean Road on the eastside of Skaha Lake. Along the way we will stop off at Blasted Church Winery for some well deserved R&R paired with a wine sampling.

That afternoon we will sample some of the local cuisine and wines in Penticton and the Naramatta Bench. The Naramata Bench is roughly defined as the bench lands between Penticton Creek and Okanagan Mountain Park on the east side of Okanagan Lake. Nowhere else in the Okanagan Valley do you find so many wineries packed into a simple touring route, with breathtaking views and delicious dining options featuring local produce. When we return to the hotel guests can appreciate some free time and relax on their own schedule or take a trip into town and continue the festivities. Tonight we do not have a group dinner allowing guests the opportunity to explore on their own.

Day 4 - Penticton to Oliver (48km)

On our fourth morning we’ll enjoy breakfast at the hotel again before taking a quick 15 minute van transfer to the beginning of today’s bike ride on the beautiful grounds of St. Andrew’s by the Lake golf course. We will cycle along the quiet country roads of White Lake and Willowbrook Road, passing through White Lakes Grasslands Protected area on route to Oliver. The rolling hills offer a great opportunity to view wildlife so keep your eyes on the road for rattlesnake, bear, deer or one of the fifteen species of bird found in this area.

These roads are some of the finest cycling routes in the Okanagan and the subtle beauty of the landscape is completely unique in this part of the world. Less than 20km down the road is an area know as Nk’Mip Canyon, coined locally as Canada’s “pocket desert.” The bike route passes through an area that is rich in First Nation’s history, including eight archaeological sites, rock shelters and pictographs, as well as remnants of early European exploration including remnants of the Fur Brigade Trail.

As we pass through the dry, arid landscape around White Lake Grasslands, we will make our way into the heart of wine country, to an area known locally as the “Golden Mile”. Our cycling route meanders through lush vineyards and colourful orchards where you might feel as though you have been transported to the South of France.

In Oliver we will have lunch options and then we will follow the International Hike and Bike Trail, biking South in the direction of Osoyoos. The trail follows the Okanagan River through some truly spectacular scenery. It passes through carefully cultured vineyards, fertile farmland, and many oxbows and ponds where you can observe ducks, herons, eagles, and painted turtles in their home environment. We will bike back along Black Sage Road into the town of Oliver where we will spend our last night at The Coast Hotel Oliver. At the hotel guests can unwind before we freshen up for an excursion into town for a meal together. Tonight, we will celebrate our final evening together with some good food and company!

Day Five – Oliver to Vancouver (39 km cycle)

Well they say all good things must come to an end….but not without one last magical bike ride! On our final morning, we will have a nice relaxed start to the day before setting off. From Oliver, we will drive the short distance to the top of the hill on Fairview Road. This cycle will be a treat for weary legs, as we will ride along the remote dirt road towards Keremeos. The bike tour will be a pleasant ride, with a gradual decline of nearly 1900 feet over the course of day as we descent into the Similkameen Valley.

The name Keremeos comes from the First Nation’s translation “flat part of the valley where horses can cross the river”. Here we will enjoy our final meal together, toasting to an incredible five days in BC. Following our meal, we will begin our journey back to Vancouver and conclude our trip where our cycling adventure began.

For 2023 tour dates and availability please email us at info@intothewild.ca for more information.