Kelowna Walking Trails Guide 2023

This guide takes you on a tour of the best walking trails in Kelowna with something for everyone: stroller-friendly walks for new families, dog-friendly parks and dog beaches for the pet parents, and great places for bird watching & wildlife observation. 

Our list of Kelowna walking trails has options for every difficulty level - from zero elevation gain walks to gentle hikes in Kelowna with higher difficulty inclines. Explore the natural splendor of the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia: find gorgeous waterfalls, summertime picnic spots, and go on beach strolls that give you stunning views of sunsets over Kelowna and Okanagan Lake.

1. Mission Creek Greenway

Kelowna’s Mission Creek Regional Park is a favourite spot for locals with well-maintained pathways that are ideal for every fitness level.

The Mission Creek Greenway is a length of level gravel paths perfect for a leisurely stroll. Families with young children will appreciate the stroller accessibility and play structures near the parking lot on Leckie Road. The Mission Creek Greenway is a good spot to watch Kokanee salmon spawning in the fall, but keep in mind that bears roam the park during late summer and fall.

The trail runs from Central City all the way to Lakeshore Rd in the Lower Mission neighborhood. If you walk east from the beginning of the Mission Creek Greenway trail at Lakeshore Road for 7.5 km, you’ll reach Scenic Canyon Park where the trail narrows and turns into a more challenging hiking area.

On-leash dogs are permitted on all of Mission Creek Park’s trails.

Parking lot: 2363 Springfield Rd or Hall Rd

2. Kalamoir Regional Park

Kalamoir Regional Park is a family and dog-friendly park located in the Lakeview Heights neighborhood of West Kelowna. With gorgeous paths through varied landscapes, this area is a local favourite for horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, and walking. There is even a wheelchair-accessible kayak launch.

The forested trail from the parking lot takes you past secluded beach access points with beautiful views of Okanagan Lake. Lined by Ponderosa pines and beautiful Arrowleaf Balsamroot flowers (known as the Okanagan Sunflower), Kalamoir is a picture perfect environment.

Dogs are permitted on park trails (on-leash), and there’s a new off-leash dog beach called Bowser Beach where Fido can swim or fetch a stick. To get there, walk a few minutes from the parking lot heading towards the Okanagan Lake bridge.

Kalamoir Regional Park is a great spot for bird watching and sightings of other wildlife like deer and beavers. 

Stay alert because bears are known to be active in the area from mid-August to mid-October.

Length: With 27.6 hectares of different walking and hiking trails, the length of your hike is up to you.

Parking lot: Collens Hill Rd, West Kelowna

3. Knox Mountain

Knox Mountain is famous for its breathtaking view of the Kelowna waterfront. From the top of the Apex trail, you can see all of downtown, as far south as the Upper Mission, and much of Okanagan lake from north to south.

Knox Mountain Park is Kelowna’s largest Natural Area park and its lakeside to mountaintop ascent covers a multitude of varying ecosystems. Ponderosa pines and the Interior Douglas fir are common along the trail. Deer are commonly seen along these trails and it is a favourite spot for bird watching and nature appreciation.

The trailhead is easily accessible from the North end of downtown Kelowna (with some great coffee shops if you need a pick-me-up). The steep ascent takes you up a one way path to the upper parking area - your first lookout point. From there you can choose to take the notable Apex Trail directly up the mountain or the Paul’s Tomb trail which runs along the side of the mountain with stunning lake views. Various other trails spread across this 367 hectare park, each with stunning views of the lake and downtown.

The High Route: The Apex Trail

The Apex Trail is a steep ascent to the top of Knox mountain. Experienced hikers enjoy this trail as a challenging and rewarding endeavour. The view of the downtown Kelowna waterfront from the top of the Apex Trail makes the hike well worth the 300 meter elevation gain.

The Low Route: Paul’s Tomb

The Paul’s Tomb trail is a common route for those after a moderate but lengthy trail with great views. There are some steep areas that drop towards the lake, so be mindful with young children.

Cliff jumping at Paul’s tomb is a summertime favourite, but exercise caution and keep in mind this trail is often closed during peak wildfire season.

Dogs are permitted on Knox Mountain (on-leash only), including Paul's Tomb.

Parking lot: Knox Mountain Dr

4. Bear Creek Provincial Park

Bear Creek Park is a 178 hectare park with 5 gorgeous kilometers of moderate difficulty hiking trails featuring waterfalls, stunning panoramic views, and 400 meters of sandy beach.  Bear Creek is a favourite camping and swimming spot for both Kelowna locals and summer tourists.

The landscape is primarily home to Ponderosa pine trees and Douglas fir trees. Keep your eyes open for Arrowleaf Balsamroot flowers and Prickly Pear cactus during Spring and Summer. A concession stand and washrooms are available near the campgrounds just across Bear Creek during the summer. Activities at Bear Creek Park include canoeing, cycling, fishing, swimming, water skiing and wildlife viewing. If you’re into hiking, the Canyon Trail provides spectacular views and passes by cottonwood trees that are home to several species of birds.

Parking lot: Westside Rd

5. Mill Creek Linear Park

Just a short 20 minute drive from downtown Kelowna, Mill Creek Park has 31.7 hectares of wonderful forest paths. It’s a favourite for bird watching and a gentle, low impact walk.  There is not much of an incline and the paths are well-kept and even, making it a stroller-friendly walk for young families. 

Parking at the trailhead is limited, but the park is not typically very busy especially during the fall and spring when the creek is high. This park features a lot of variety in scenery. The trails cross bridges over the creek at several points and pass a waterfall. The dense forest and nearby water provide a peaceful atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re deep in the woods while still being very near Kelowna. The Mill Creek trails all end up at the same place so it’s easy to find your way around.

Length: 1.43 km (one way)

Parking lot: Minimal parking off Old Vernon Rd

6. The Kelowna Waterfront Promenade (Simpson Walk)

The postcard-perfect Waterfront boardwalk is a delightful walk right in the heart of downtown Kelowna. It starts in Waterfront Park at the bird sanctuary off Sunset Drive and follows the lake shore down to City park.

At the bird sanctuary, look out for a nesting family of ospreys, kingfisher, swallows, and various waterfowl. Also keep your eyes open for the beaver that’s sometimes spotted in the water next to the boardwalk. Flat paved walkways with no elevation gain make it easy to push a stroller. Catch the sunset in the east across the lake from the heart of downtown on this route, or stop at The Beer Institute, the Kelowna Yacht Club, or the Cactus Club Cafe, or explore countless other Kelowna nightlife options and attractions.

Length: 5.6 km

Parking lot: Abbott St at the City Park parking lot or street parking available on Sunset Dr

7. Rose Valley Regional Park

Rose Valley Regional Park, near the Rose Valley neighbourhood in Westbank, has a vast trail network great for hikers, mountain bikers, and dogs on-leash. The well-marked natural hiking trails range from moderate to high difficulty and pass a conservation area and natural pond. The lake loop leads to panoramic views of the Rose Valley Reservoir and Okanagan Lake from north to south.

While we consider this a family-friendly park, most routes are much too steep for strollers or families with young children to access comfortably. Wildlife are very active in this area, so keep an eye out for deer, marmots, and other critters. Be aware of the possible presence of black bears, especially during late summer and early fall when they’re feeding in preparation for winter hibernation.

Where to Park: There are several ways to get into Rose Valley Park: McDougal Rd, Westlake Rd, and Rose Valley Rd via Bear Creek Rd.

8. Scenic Canyon Regional Park

Scenic Canyon Regional park makes up Phases 2 and 3 of the Mission Creek Greenway on Springfield Rd. This park has a winding network of hiking trails that loop around and up hills, with several access points at different spots in the trail. The difficulty is easy to moderate, suited to those familiar with hiking but experience is not necessary. Scenic Canyon’s paths cross several bridges before ending at the south side of the park.

Views of waterfalls and the hectares of pine and Douglas fir forest make this a great spot to get back to nature. Hike past some stunning rock formations and views of Layer Cake Mountain as it winds through and behind the Gallaghers Canyon neighbourhood near Kelowna. The creekside pathways feature stairs and bridges to ease passage on natural trails. KLO creek is a favourite spot for rock climbing as well, home to some spectacular boulders.

Parking lot: Hollywood Rd South cross street East Kelowna Rd

9. Myra Bellevue Provincial Park

High in the mountains above Kelowna, Myra Bellevue Provincial Park is an Okanagan favourite for walking and cycling. Catch views of Kelowna from a trail crossing old train trestles and snap that perfect waterfall picture at Crawford falls.

Access to Angel Springs is available from the KVR trailhead, which features mineral deposits and small caves for the adventurer. The view across Myra Canyon is spectacular. The history of the Kettle Valley railway trestles that the trails now cross is available to read on plaques along the way.

The KVR and Crawford trails near Myra Canyon have minimal elevation gain and are great for walking and cycling, and even young children and those in strollers will find the well-maintained pathways appropriate. Note that access to Myra Canyon is open to hunters outside of the main trail networks. Little White Mountain in the heart of the park is a little-known spot for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing during the winter.

Parking lot: Stewart Rd. East

10. Capital News Centre (H20 Centre)

Just 10 minutes from downtown Kelowna, the Capital News Centre has a delightful network of paved pathways that form a loop around a peaceful natural pond. 

Benches spaced around the pond are ideal for bird watching, and the paved trail attracts families with strollers or young children, as well as cyclists, skateboarders, and rollerbladers. 

The nearby recreation centre is a great option if the walk isn’t enough of a workout, and provides free and easy parking. The lake is a short 5 minute drive from the Capital News centre and the scenic parkland reflects natural lakeside ecosystems. Dogs are permitted on-leash.

Parking lot: 4105 Gordon Dr