The Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail is one of the most iconic attractions in Penticton. Stretching 660 km from Hope, BC to Castlegar, BC the KVR is a decommissioned rail trail that has be converted into a recreational trail network that is also part of the Trans Canada Trail.
Accessible from Wright’s Beach Camp on the Skaha Lake end of town, the KVR trail works its way out of the city to the south right alongside the shores of Skaha Lake down to Okanagan Falls at the other end.
After picking up your bike from Penticton E-Kruise, take a ride through the underground tunnel in front of Barefoot Beach Resort and over through Wright’s Beach Camp to the start of the south spur section of the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail at the far end of the campground.
This section of the KVR Trail is well-maintained, it is packed gravel with a few small sandy spots to watch for but overall an easy and flat trail, with gorgeous views following the shores of Skaha Lake.
It will take you from Wright’s Beach in Penticton down through Banbury Green RV park to Kaleden Hotel Park and Pioneer Park in Kaleden and continuing on past Ponderosa Point and all the way down to Okanagan Falls.
The Kaleden Hotel Park is one of the main landmarks along Skaha Lake. Once very active with a packinghouse alongside, the building now is a reminder of Kaleden’s vibrant past. A popular spot for photos, they also have a few tables if you wanted to stop for a break or a snack.
You can also check out the nearby Pioneer Park, with a white sand public beach along with floating rafts, park, gazebo, picnic area, BBQ area, volleyball, pickle ball, tennis, and basketball courts as well as public washrooms.
Fun fact: The Kaleden Hotel, built in 1910, was one of the first buildings in Kaleden to feature electric light, running water, private sleeping porches and exclusive dining rooms.
With an e-bike getting up the hill to Linden Gardens can be done without breaking a sweat! Stroll through the picturesque 9 acre garden and green space then stop into the cafe for lunch.
Frog City Cafe sits right at the centre of the breathtaking Linden Gardens. Enjoy organic coffee, high-quality loose-leaf teas, handcrafted specialty drinks, and fresh-baked goodies while surrounded by gorgeous flowers and stunning trees. And don’t forget to stop by and say hello to the goats!
Fun fact: Linden’s green legacy began as one of the first fruit farms in Kaleden. 75 years later, Ken and Margaret Hayter have lovingly transformed Linden Gardens into a lush 9 acre oasis brimming with flowers, trees, shrubs, ponds and streams.
After lunch, continue south on the KVR Trail and you’ll cross the long wooden trestle bridge as you enter Okanagan Falls.
If you’re looking to enjoy some Okanagan wine while out on your biking adventure, the The Heart of Wine Country, which includes the wineries of the Okanagan Falls and Skaha Lake area stretch from the shores of Skaha Lake to the tip of Vaseux Lake. You’ll find a string of small wineries with big heart crafting big wines.
Each winery has its own unique approach to maximizing the incredible terroir of the region. The wines of the Okanagan Falls Skaha Lake Winery Association range from award winning bubbles to aromatic Rieslings and Gewürztraminers through to bold Syrahs and juicy Cabernet Sauvignons.
Fun fact: With highly-rated soils in Class one or Class two, a low risk of autumn frost, and ratings for solar radiation measurement and growing degree days that showed how well suited the lands are, there is no doubt that the Okanagan Falls and Skaha Lake area is very desirable for vineyards. Okanagan Falls is home to over 32 individual vineyards as well as other fruit orchards.
Next, stop at Tickleberry’s original location, which opened in Okanagan Falls in 1990, for a well-deserved ice cream, before heading back up to Penticton.
Visit their gift shop and choose from a wonderful selection of chocolate-covered dried fruits, real-fruit flavoured Ticklebeans, a carefully selected range of local crafts, windchimes, jewellery, hand bags, and garden accessories. You can also watch delicious treats being created right before your eyes with its own Fudge Factory.
Don’t forget they have unique Tickleberry’s magnets, postcards, and t-shirts to take back home!
Fun fact: Before opening in Okanagan Falls as as an ice cream shop, Tickleberry’s first started in the Yukon in 1987, with Dale & Jeanette Hoy tickling the berries off the bushes every fall and turning it into Tickleberry jams.
After picking up your bike from Penticton E-Kruise, take a ride through the underground tunnel in front of Barefoot Beach Resort and over through Wright’s Beach Camp to the start of the south spur section of the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail at the far end of the campground.
This section of the KVR Trail is well-maintained, it is packed gravel with a few small sandy spots to watch for but overall an easy and flat trail, with gorgeous views following the shores of Skaha Lake.
It will take you from Wright’s Beach in Penticton down through Banbury Green RV park to Kaleden Hotel Park and Pioneer Park in Kaleden and continuing on past Ponderosa Point and all the way down to Okanagan Falls.
The Kaleden Hotel Park is one of the main landmarks along Skaha Lake. Once very active with a packinghouse alongside, the building now is a reminder of Kaleden’s vibrant past. A popular spot for photos, they also have a few tables if you wanted to stop for a break or a snack.
You can also check out the nearby Pioneer Park, with a white sand public beach along with floating rafts, park, gazebo, picnic area, BBQ area, volleyball, pickle ball, tennis, and basketball courts as well as public washrooms.
Fun fact: The Kaleden Hotel, built in 1910, was one of the first buildings in Kaleden to feature electric light, running water, private sleeping porches and exclusive dining rooms.
With an e-bike getting up the hill to Linden Gardens can be done without breaking a sweat! Stroll through the picturesque 9 acre garden and green space then stop into the cafe for lunch.
Frog City Cafe sits right at the centre of the breathtaking Linden Gardens. Enjoy organic coffee, high-quality loose-leaf teas, handcrafted specialty drinks, and fresh-baked goodies while surrounded by gorgeous flowers and stunning trees. And don’t forget to stop by and say hello to the goats!
Fun fact: Linden’s green legacy began as one of the first fruit farms in Kaleden. 75 years later, Ken and Margaret Hayter have lovingly transformed Linden Gardens into a lush 9 acre oasis brimming with flowers, trees, shrubs, ponds and streams.
After lunch, continue south on the KVR Trail and you’ll cross the long wooden trestle bridge as you enter Okanagan Falls.
If you’re looking to enjoy some Okanagan wine while out on your biking adventure, the The Heart of Wine Country, which includes the wineries of the Okanagan Falls and Skaha Lake area stretch from the shores of Skaha Lake to the tip of Vaseux Lake. You’ll find a string of small wineries with big heart crafting big wines.
Each winery has its own unique approach to maximizing the incredible terroir of the region. The wines of the Okanagan Falls Skaha Lake Winery Association range from award winning bubbles to aromatic Rieslings and Gewürztraminers through to bold Syrahs and juicy Cabernet Sauvignons.
Fun fact: With highly-rated soils in Class one or Class two, a low risk of autumn frost, and ratings for solar radiation measurement and growing degree days that showed how well suited the lands are, there is no doubt that the Okanagan Falls and Skaha Lake area is very desirable for vineyards. Okanagan Falls is home to over 32 individual vineyards as well as other fruit orchards.
Next, stop at Tickleberry’s original location, which opened in Okanagan Falls in 1990, for a well-deserved ice cream, before heading back up to Penticton.
Visit their gift shop and choose from a wonderful selection of chocolate-covered dried fruits, real-fruit flavoured Ticklebeans, a carefully selected range of local crafts, windchimes, jewellery, hand bags, and garden accessories. You can also watch delicious treats being created right before your eyes with its own Fudge Factory.
Don’t forget they have unique Tickleberry’s magnets, postcards, and t-shirts to take back home!
Fun fact: Before opening in Okanagan Falls as as an ice cream shop, Tickleberry’s first started in the Yukon in 1987, with Dale & Jeanette Hoy tickling the berries off the bushes every fall and turning it into Tickleberry jams.