Please Check out the Website!

https://okanaganrailtrail.ca/our-trail

A few days ago I had the opportunity to learn more about the new "in progress" trail that runs from Kelowna to Vernon. I had heard that the communities had purchased the railway from CN Rail, but I didn't know that much about it, or where they were in their construction of the trail.

As an avid bike rider, I said I'd love to ride the trail, and help promote awareness of the trail, and their efforts in fund raising, and getting this trail to be a world-class attraction for both locals and tourists alike.

Where is the Okanagan Rail Trail?

The Okanagan Rail Trail runs from Kelowna, up to Lake Country, along the east side of Wood Lake, then at Oyama where the trail crosses over and runs up the West side of Kalamalka Lake.

I decided to start my ride in Lake Country, and make my way to Coldstream(Vernon), and then back. Despite the trail being "Use at Your Own Risk" it was in decent shape, and with a mountain bike the trail was a fairly easy ride.

One of the first things that struck me was the strong smell of track oil ...most likely from all the railroad ties that are piled up all along the trail ...I liked the smell ...made me feel like I was on a railway!

There is lots of great scenery along the trail, trees, orchards, lakes, lakeside cottages, but the stretch of the trail I loved the most was the stretch from Oyama to Coldstream. A large portion of the trail runs alongside Kalamalka Lake(Kal Lake), which is one of the most stunning lakes there is.