Some of the most spectacular hiking spots can be found in this oasis nestled in the Cascade Mountains.
If you enjoy the great outdoors, there’s a great chance you’ll find a trail suited to your skill level and sense of adventure.
Here are five of the best places to enjoy Similkameen trails:
Top 5 Hiking Spots In The Similkameen Valley
Anyone who’s visited the Similkameen Valley knows that you can park your car, wander in nearly any direction and find something of interest.
Whether it’s a winery, a fruit stand, a winding river or a desert landscape, it’s not hard to enjoy the valley on foot, no matter what time of year.
Here are five of the best hiking spots… you can find more information on our website.
1. China Ridge
Arguably one of the most accessible and popular hiking areas in the province, China Ridge Trails offers an abundance of hiking trails to suit every skill and endurance level.
Enjoy the 40 kilometres of well-maintained tracks that weave through the forest between Princeton and Keremeos. There are even 15 kilometres of dog-friendly trails for you and your four-legged friend to enjoy.
The trails are well-marked, and you’ll get glimpses of the beautiful Tulameen Valley and the Cascade Mountains.
Go for a stroll with the family or an ambitious hike with friends. Keep an eye out for wildlife – countless species of birds call this region home, along with elk, wapiti deer and rabbits.
2. Cathedral Park
Cathedral Park is an exercise in juxtaposition.
It’s located between the dense, wet forests of the Cascade Mountains and the desert-like landscape of the Okanagan Valley. So, on your hike, you’ll see a stark contrast between the two climates… in the terrain, flora and fauna.
There are trails to suit every skill level, from Sunday stroller to mountaineer… here’s a guide that will help you choose the best trail for you and your companions.
Enjoy the jagged mountain peaks, azure lakes and the carpets of flowers in the alpine.
Cathedral Park is a true wilderness experience…be prepared to feel like you’ve escaped.
3. Hudson’s Bay (HBC) Heritage Trail
This trail was originally a First Nations route for hunting and trade and played a key role in
British Columbia’s early development.
Completed in 1849, the HBC Trail was built by the Hudson’s Bay Company with the help of local First Nations. It was built to link the Fraser River at Fort Hope with Fort Kamloops and other important fur forts farther north to Stuart Lake.
Hoist your backpack and wander the old-growth forest from Peers Creek to Tulameen and discover fast-running rivers and tranquil streams… and contemplate our beginnings as fur traders in the region.
4. Trans Canada Trail
The iconic Trans Canada Trail runs through the Similkameen Valley and is one of the prime hiking spots for a stroll or a trek.
The Trail stretches 27,000 kilometres from coast to coast, merging with the Kettle Valley Railway between Princeton to Coalmont.
The easy grades and wide paths make it an ideal venue for a family walk or a day-long trek.
Enjoy a spectacular hike along the Tulameen River Valley… beginning in the cool darkness of a 305-metre tunnel carved from the ridge that separates the Tulameen and Similkameen Rivers.
Carry on for 18 kilometres past ochre cliffs and haunting hoodoo rock formations that the elements have eroded since the beginning of time.
5. Manning Park
The greatest variety of hiking trails can be found in E.C. Manning Park, one of Canada’s most pristine wilderness regions.
The network of trails is well-marked and ranked according to difficulty, so you’ll know what to expect when you lace up your walking shoes or hiking boots and set off into the woods.
They’ve provided this helpful guide so you can choose the route that’s best for you and your companions.
Want an easy stroll? Try the Lightning Lake Loop from the Spruce Bay parking lot.
Have a few hours, some snacks and some water? Why not venture along the Strawberry Flats Trail?
If you’re a backcountry hiker, pack your kit and head down the Pacific Crest Trail that runs all the way into the United States.
From walks to hikes in the Similkameen Valley
There are so many ways to enjoy the Similkameen Valley on foot… whether you’re a casual hiker or a hardcore mountaineer.
The beauty of this region is that everything is a short drive from your home… and from whatever homebase you choose when you come to stay with us in the valley.
Whether the Similkameen Valley is a stop along the way or your final holiday destination, you’ll find alpine and desert trails, spectacular flora and fauna, and genuine hospitality when you visit us.
Want to know more about the great hiking spots in our valley?
Contact us, and we’ll get you started. We’d love to welcome you to the Similkameen Valley.
