5 Amazing Okanagan Hikes

We asked hiking expert Josh Hoggan for the best trails in the Okanagan.

You literally can’t eat and drink all day—so to temper the nourishing bounty of the region, it’s time to take advantage of the Okanagan’s other main draw: it’s made for Instagram scenery. We tapped Josh Hoggan—a Langley native who grew up an introverted computer programmer in the Lower Mainland but became the Okanagan’s resident hiking authority when he moved to Kelowna. His website, hikingaddiction.ca, is the go-to source for anyone who spends their early Saturday mornings packing energy bars and plotting what forest to disappear into.1. Test Run Carrot Mountain BluffsDistance from Kelowna 10 minutes from downtownTime 1.5–3 hours round tripThe Skinny I personally use this hike for training and to test other members of the group for a yearly benchmark. It’s a hike that has everything—a waterfall, a stunning vista, a gruelling uphill ascent and a giant boulder overhang for a view of West Kelowna.2. Lava Life Mount Boucherie: Eain Lamont LoopDistance from Kelowna 5–10 minutes from downtownTime 1.5 hours round tripThe Skinny This extinct strata volcano offers a stunning panorama of most of Kelowna from two different summits. You can head straight up for a steep ascent, but there are easier options as well. There’s even a wishing tree at the top!3. Just Peachy PincushionDistance from Kelowna 30 minutes from downtown, near PeachlandTime 1 hour round tripThe Skinny A steady ascent that’s slightly challenging, but you’re rewarded with stunning views over Peachland and Okanagan Lake. And there’s a geocache at the top (a small locked container you locate with GPS).4. Rocky Road Monashees: Twin LakesDistance from Vernon 100 minutes eastTime 4 hoursThe Skinny This is a stunning alpine meadow that’s far rockier than most local hikes. There are, in fact, two beautiful lakes, and if you’re keen on overnighting, this is a great place to pitch a tent.5. Big Time Okanagan Mountain ParkDistance from Kelowna 15 minutes from downtownTime 11–15 hours (over 38 kilometres)The Skinny Maybe the ultimate Okanagan hike? It’s a serious workout, but you’ll walk through the epicentre of the 2003 fires. Amazing wildlife diversity (from snakes to lynx) and First Nations archaeological sites. Smaller day hikes can be done to Divide Lake or up Wild Horse Canyon to Commando Bay.Bonus Christie FallsDistance from Kelowna 45 minutes from downtown Time 1 hour round tripThe Skinny A waterfall hike this close to town? The access point is a forest road but the hike is mild, and if you’re in the mood to overnight, you can do so behind the falls.For more information visit Hogan’s website hikingaddiction.ca