250-498-2177Hike and Bike Trails
A favorite thing to do in Oliver, British Columbia is to walk or ride a bike down the International Hike and Bike Trail. The trail is mostly paved, flat, easily accessible, and is completely car free. This well maintained trail that meanders along the west side of Okanagan River is 18.4 km long of which almost 10 km is paved. (South of Oliver the last eight km towards Osoyoos is gravel).
Although the trail access is right in the heart of Oliver, once you are on the trail you are surrounded by nature. There are several oxbows and ponds where you can observe ducks, herons, eagles, and painted turtles in their home environment. In early summer, watch out in the ponds for the beautiful lily pads that flower bright pink. In the summer months you will find great spots for picnics and secluded swims in the river. Fall brings the changing colors of leaves and the bright red sumac is photo worthy. Fall is also the perfect time for watching the salmon spawn in the Okanagan River. What ever time of year you visit, make sure to bring your camera to capture the beauty you are bound to see in a walk or bike ride down Oliver’s Hike and Bike Trail.
There are three well-known access points to the Hike and Bike Trail. The first is at the beginning of the trail at McAlpine Bridge where Highway 97 crosses the Okanagan River. The other two are both in the town of Oliver and are very close to each other. One is directly behind the Oliver Tourist Information Centre and the other is behind the Kinsman Playground and Water Park. There are also access points South of Oliver anywhere where a bridge passes over the Okanagan River.
