Do You Want to Know About International Hike and Bike Trail, Canada?

Have you ever visited the town “Oliver”? Whether your answer is a “Yes” or a “No” and even if you’re living in the town, this blog post is definitely going to amaze you. Let’s walk into a place full of natural beauty, plantation, the canopy of trees, mesmerizing rivers and captivating sights. The place where the sun glows with sparkle and the “tweeting” of singing birds takes you on a fictional journey. Did you guess what I’m talking about? Yes! It’s the International Hike and Bike Trail, located in Oliver.

Oliver is a town in British Columbia, Canada that is home to just over 5000 people. It is situated near the Southern end of the picturesque Okanagan Valley. The beautiful combination of skyscraping mountains and pure blue water ornamented with greenery and cloudy sky steals the heart of the viewers at the very first sight. I dare you that you won’t be able to prevent yourself from stopping for a while and enjoying the calmness of this amazing Okanagan Valley.

Well, there’s a lot to share about the place but the main focus of this blog article is particularly “The International Hike and Bike Trail”.

So, let’s begin!

Facts Related to The International Hike and Bike Trail

The International Hike and Bike Trail stretches five and a half kilometres from north of Oliver to the Northern side of the Osoyoos Lake. The average length of the Trail is 18.4 km of which approximately 10km is paved. On the Southern side of Oliver, near Osoyoos is gravel.

It is called the Hike and Bike Trail mainly because of being an amazing hiking and biking spot both for the tourists as well as the local inhabitants. The Trail travels along with the Okanagan River that makes its way to the Southern side of Okanagan where the Osoyoos Lake is located. It also follows the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail which is another recreational trail in Oliver and the Okanagan.  

It’s a point-to-point trail having an elevation gain of 260 metres. The trail is flat, smooth and free from large vehicles, making it ideal for cycling and biking. You will find a free parking area and a playground at the Oliver Visitor’s Center. A parking lot is also available on Road 22 where you can even get easy access to the Oxbows Distance (10 kilometres).

The Trail has some renowned access points. One is at the start point of the Trail at McAlpine Bridge. It is the area where Highway 97 passes over the Okanagan River. The remaining two are located in the town of Oliver at a very small distance from each other. One is at the backside of Water Park and Kinsman Playground and the other is just beyond the Oliver Tourist Information Center.

Now, let’s talk about the main attractions of the International Hike and Bike Trail.

Prime Attractions on The International Hike and Bike Trail

Once you start your journey on the Trail, you will get amazed by the natural beauty of the site. The top attractions include ponds and oxbows, ducks, painted tortoises, eagles and herons. Besides, farms, trees, vineyards and birds further add to the beauty of this area. Some specific attractions of the summers and autumn are as follows.

SUMMER: If you visit the Trail in summer, you’ll see beautiful bright pink lilies along with their pads, spread throughout the ponds and lakes. In this season, you can also find many picnic spots and sequestered swims in the river. So, are you planning a visit with your friends? Don’t miss the chance to capture some photos.

AUTUMN: This season comes with a different attraction and beauty. You’ll find the appealing combination of yellow, orange and bright red leaves. It’s the time when salmon spawn arrives at Okanagan Lake. This time is best for fishing.

Important Destination Points on The International Hike and Bike Trail

While enjoying the beautiful journey on the Trail, you may find some important destination points/picnic spots, mainly: –

The Willow Court Park

You can start your hiking journey from the Willow Court Parking lot. The Park is a tempting picnic spot. If you have some outing plans, why not opt for Willow Court Park?  You can enjoy breathing in the fresh air and walking in a soothing environment. The Park is full of green sights and a vast grass field. It also has a playground for some recreational activities.

The Kinsmen Spray Park

It is a local park for families and friends to enjoy some recreational activities. You can have a sunbath or take a healthy exercise. Your kids will not get bores while you are busy in a walk or exercise because there is a playground with several swings for children. It can also be a great site for a barbeque party. The good thing is that you will find people of all age groups in Spray Park. A few minutes at the park will boost up your energy, soothe your mind and keep you active the whole day.

The Osoyoos Lake Oxbows

It is a recently re-established trail, a fantastic wetlands area ideal for hiking and bird watching. You can find it on the Northern side of the Osoyoos Lake between Road 18 and Road 22. The Oxbows can be easily approached via the parking lot for the International Hike and Bike Trail.

What to do at The International Hike and Bike Trail?

As discussed above, the International Hike and Bike Trail is famous mainly for hiking, biking and cycling. The reason is the uniformity and pavement of the Trail as well as the perk of being a car-free route which makes these activities fun and easy for people. You can also use it for walking or jogging. Besides, if you are planning for fishing, it can be a wonderful site. The Fall season is best for fishing because of the arrival of the salmon spawns at Okanagan Lake.

The best time to visit the Trail is between June and October. If you want to avoid the warm climate, then opt for winters, springs or autumn when the temperature is below 25°C.

Top Bike Trails in Oliver

Besides the International Hike and Bike Trail, the two most popular bike trails in Oliver are: –

• The Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail, also known as the Myra Canyon Trail, became functional in 1915.
• Fairview Trail Network, also called Golden Mile, is a 10 km trail, starting from the Tinhorn Creek Vineyards.

PLANNING A VISIT?

I hope that you have enjoyed the post and got the necessary information related to the International Hike and Bike Trail. You may now be planning a visit to this beautiful Trail. Right? Don’t forget to pick up all the necessary stuff before you leave to have a great and memorable hiking/biking experience.

If you are looking out for a home surrounded by the natural beauty and peaceful environment, away from the hustle and bustle, smoke and noise of transports and factories, you can buy or rent a home in the town of Oliver.