Located in south-central British Columbia and situated between the Cascade and Columbia mountain ranges, the Southern Okanagan Valley extends from Kelowna to Osoyoos. Popular Day Hikes 5: Southern Okanagan describes 35 accessible treks around Kelowna, West Kelowna and Westside Road as well as Penticton, Naramata, Oliver, Osoyoos, Summerland, Peachland and Keremeos. Featuring robust vineyards, fruit orchards, desert-like grasslands, rich marshes, ponderosa pine forests, towering cliffs, large lakes, salmon streams, modest peaks and a tremendous diversity of animal and plant life, this stunning and diverse area is rich with dozens of unique hiking routes. With distances ranging from 3 km to 20 km and from easy to strenuous, this vibrant guide features routes available to all levels of day-hiking enthusiasts.
Gerry Shea moved to Kamloops from Vancouver at the age of nine, which is when he became enchanted by the nearby hills. It was on a family vacation many years later that he discovered the mountains and began hiking and climbing in his spare time, gathering knowledge and experience that he has since used to help beginning hikers, scramblers and backpackers to trek safely. Gerry lives in Kamloops with his wife and children and is the author of The Aspiring Hiker’s Guide 1: Mountain Treks in Alberta and The Aspiring Hiker’s Guide 2: Mountain Treks in British Columbia.