A fall road trip through the Okanagan Valley

Your journey begins in Vernon, at the north end of the lush Okanagan Valley. This laid-back lakeside community is home to orchards, farms, and more trails than most locals will ever cover. From the “Trails Capital of BC,” you can access more than 500 km (300 mi) of routes leading to pristine lakes, waterfalls, and stunning valley views.

Take relaxation to the next level with a stay at the adults-only Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa. This health- and wellness-focused resort is decked out in dazzling Swarovski crystals, including the crystal “sky” sitting above a saltwater pool at Sparkling Hill’s 3,700-sq-m (40,000-sq-ft) KurSpa, the province’s largest luxury spa.

One way to travel south from Vernon is along the Okanagan Rail Trail, a 50-km (30-mi) walking and cycling route that passes plenty of vibrant fall foliage and stands of fruit trees (think freshly picked apples and pears) as it traces the shorelines of Kalamalka, Wood, and Okanagan lakes en route to Kelowna.

A much quicker and equally scenic option is the 45-minute drive along Route 97. A highlight of the drive is the colour palette comprised of the turquoise waters of Kalamalka Lake and the reds, oranges, and yellows of the changing leaves.

Kelowna, the largest city in the Okanagan, is Canada’s first designated UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The exceptional growing conditions that exist in and around the city make Kelowna one of the country’s top culinary destinations. Chefs, growers, and makers are all drawn here, sharing their passion for the area’s food and drink with all who visit. Local winery restaurants such as Quails’ Gate’s Old Vines Restaurant and Home Block Restaurant at Cedar Creek Estate Winery offer unforgettable food and wine pairings with unforgettable views.

And if your preferences lean more toward beer than wine, Kelowna’s craft breweries present their “A” game. Enjoy complex flavours without the gluten at innovative Grey Fox Brewing, and don’t miss Kelowna institution BNA Brewing, where you can sample a Seaside Cerveza lager or a Purple Rain blackberry kettle sour between frames at their onsite 10-pin bowling alley.

Ready to work off a few calories? The view from atop Knox Mountain is well worth the climb up, and a leisurely cycle across the 18 wooden trestle bridges in the Myra Canyon is a must. Both offer an excellent vantage point for fall colours in the surrounding terrain.

Depart Kelowna via a bridge that spans Okanagan Lake, and continue south on Route 97 as it runs parallel to the lake. Stop in Summerland to ride the Kettle Valley Steam Railway, a 16-km (10-mi) excursion past vineyard, orchard, and lake views that crosses the 72-m (238-ft) high Trout Creek Trestle Bridge. The train is powered by a restored 1912 steam locomotive.

Hike all the way up Giant’s Head Mountain to admire the valley from above, or drive to a picnic spot near the summit and hike the last 10 minutes to the top. On your way out of town, stop by family-run Summerland Sweets and treat yourself to a bottle (or two) of their much-loved fruit syrups.

Continuing south on Route 97, stop in Oliver, known as Canada’s Wine Capital, where 50% of BC’s wine grapes are grown. Visit District Wine Village for an opportunity to sip vintages from several local wineries in a single location, and if you’re here at the end of September, check out the annual Festival of the Grape celebration.

As you make your way south, you’ll notice the landscape shift from verdant and green to drier, sagebrush-covered hills as you enter Canada’s only true desert environment in Osoyoos.

Fall is the perfect time to visit, as the intense heat of summer is replaced by cooler days and nights. Visit the Osoyoos Desert Centre to learn about this fragile ecosystem inhabited by coyotes, rattlesnakes, and even scorpions.

Add a cultural element to your explorations at the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, where hillside trails lead to a reconstructed pit house and sweat lodge that help tell the story of the local Osoyoos Indian Band. Enjoy an Indigenous-inspired meal at The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry, and sample award-winning wines at Indigenous-owned and -operated Nk’Mip Cellars.