Hardy Falls Regional Park
Distance / Duration: 2km round trip / .5 - 1 hour
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty Level: Easy
GPS: 49.741859, -119.764724
Access Points: South of Peachland on Highway 97 across from Antler's Beach. Turn onto Hardy Road and follow up one block. Parking is on the opposite side of trailhead access point.
About the Trail: This is an easy and pleasant walk on flat, well maintained trails that will take you along a series of bridges leading to Hardy Falls. It is well shaded and is a great place to escape to during the heat of the day. In the fall, enjoy the brilliant colours of the spawning Kokanee Salmon. Fall visitors should be aware that bears following the spawning salmon may be in the area.
11 kms of unfettered lakefront invites in-line skating, biking, pole walking, strolling and jogging. There are many benches to stop and gaze at the incredible view and soak in the serene beauty.
Features: Waterfall, bridges, spawning salmon (in September), wheelchair accessible
Stave Pipe Trail
Distance / Duration : 4km loop / 1 hour
Elevation Gain: 180 metres
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
GPS: 49.785982, -119.718418
Access Points: From Highway 97 turn onto Clements Crescent and park at the school. About 70 metres past the fence the trail turns left. Follow the orange trail markers (#1) up the moderately steep slope.
About this Trail: This hiking trail goes past the ruins of the first hydro electric plant that powered Peachland from 1909 to 1947. The Canyon Lookout and the Trepanier Power Dam are nearby. Watch for remnants of the old wooden pipes that brought water from Trepanier Creek.
Features: Lookouts, historical remnants, mule deer
Peachland Lookout Trail
Distance / Duration : Very Short
Difficulty Level: Very Easy
Access Points: Just a short drive up Princeton Road above the town.
About the Trail: Easy hiking and beautiful lake views
Stairway to Heaven
Distance / Duration : Very Short
Difficulty Level: Easy
Access Points: Located at Victoria Street (at the Gladstone End). Access via the stairs
About the Trail: Easy walk up stairs for a beautiful view at the top
Lang Trail Stairway
Distance / Duration : Short
Difficulty Level: Easy
About the Trail: Lang Trail historically was used as a roadway in Peachland, however due to the topography of the road it was converted into a trail for easier pedestrian mobility. The re-development of the trail included the installation of over 250 stairs and has been registered on the public stairs world directory.
Trepanier Forest
Distance / Duration : 5km loop / 2 hours
Elevation Gain: 220 metres
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
GPS: 49.788007, -119.726607
Access Points: From Highway 97 turn onto Ponderosa Drive. Trailhead is located on Pincushion Place off of 6th Avenue.
About the Trail: Trail hikers will follow yellow markers (#2) along Trepanier Creek up to the Forest Service Road. There are several steep sections along this trail. Hikers will enjoy the mix of evergreen and deciduous forest, glacial rock debris, many local species of animals, as well as interesting valley and canyon views.
Features: Spring and summer wildflowers, glacial rock debris, bird watching
Pincushion Mountain
Distance / Duration : 3.5km return / 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain: 245 metres
Difficulty Level: Difficult
GPS: 49.788419, -119.733840
Access Points: rom Highway 97, turn onto Ponderosa Drive and follow it until almost the end. You will see the private driveway of "Chateau on the Ridge".
You can park at the bottom of the private drive and hike 100m up the driveway to the trail head.
About the Trail: This trail is a steady climb with several rest stops and views on the way up. A walking stick is advisable, as are hi king shoes. Follow the red markers carefully as there are many animal trails that can lead you astray.
Features: Steep climbs, Canadian flag at the summit, several geocaches
Pincushion Mountain nestles behind the bench of Peachland and boasts spectacular views of Okanagan Lake.
The inspiration for the name Pincushion was the result of the needle-like appearance of the burnt trunks of pines that were left sticking out of the rocky knob following a forest fire prior to 1890. Today the burnt trunks have long gone and been replaced by Ponderosa pines.
In the past, climbing the mountain was such a popular occurrence that it became a tradition to say that you were not a “real” Peachlander until you had conquered the summit. In Peachland’s 2009 Centennial year both locals and visitors adventurous enough to climb the mountain were awarded with either a “Real” or “Honorary” Peachlander certificate signed by Peachland’s mayor.
Many Peachlanders make an annual trek up the mountain and several geocaches have been hidden ready to be found by avid GPS hunters. A Canadian flag flies proudly from its peak.
A map of the trail is available at the Visitor Info Centre. To receive your certificate, present as proof, a digital image or photo to the District of Peachland. The mountain is climbable in two to two and a half hours (including a half hour rest at the top) by reasonably fit families. This includes young children.
You can email your photo to: eboyes@peachland.ca
Images by Christopher Byrd, photographic artist
