The route leads you through lush coastal rainforest, past rushing rivers, and beside swimmable lakes. It also passes right through downtown Squamish and Whistler Village, so that you can stop for a civilized coffee break. However, there are a few short stretches where the trail is not complete, so you’ll have to walk on roads or Highway 99.

The trail is multi-use, open to both hikers and cyclists. I’ve done both, covering the trail’s entire length on a series of hikes and bike rides over the years. My husband, an avid bikepacker, also helped with this post.

There isn’t much info on the Sea to Sky Trail online (and what is online is a bit dated since several new trail sections have been built in the last few years). In this guide, I’ve got everything you need to know about the Sea to Sky Trail, including:

• Quick facts about the Sea to Sky Trail: distance, best time to go, how long it takes, and more
• An up-to-date map and elevation profile, plus a downloadable GPX file
• Detailed trail description, broken down into sections with distances and elevation change
• My recommended itineraries for hiking and biking
• Camping and where to stay along the trail
• Sea to Sky Trail tips, including water access and specific tips for hikers and bikers
• How to get to the Sea to Sky Trail and between trailheads
• My honest opinion of the trail and whether I recommend it

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Sea to Sky Trail Quick Facts

Route Overview: The Sea to Sky Trail runs from Squamish to Whistler in a route that parallels the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99). It is a multi-use trail that is open to hikers and bikers and strings together sections of trail and road to create the Sea to Sky Trail.

Not the Sea to Sky Gondola: Lots of people get this trail confused with the trail that goes from the base of the Sea to Sky Gondola to the top. That one is called the Sea to Summit Trail – the Sea to Sky Trail is a different trail!

Distance: 107.4 km

Elevation Gain: 2,435 m

Surface Breakdown: Single-track trail: 52.8 km; Paved multi-use trail: 20.1 km; Gravel road: 19.4 km; Paved road: 11.5 km; Paved Highway: 10 km

How Long to Spend: Cyclists should plan on 2 to 3 days. Hikers can complete the trail in 4 days.

Best Time to Go: May to October for the best weather and no snow.

Indigenous Context: The Sea to Sky Trail is on the traditional territory of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations. Be respectful in this special place.

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Sea to Sky Trail Maps and Elevation Profile

When I was researching my trips, I had trouble finding good info about the routing of the Sea to Sky Trail. Some sections are really straightforward, but others are not. This is because the trail has been rerouted in a few places to avoid roads or to take paths that are bikeable versus just hikable.

After digging through the Sea to Sky Trail section of the Squamish-Lilooet Regional District website, the Trans Canada Trail interactive map, Trailforks, and Gaia, I’ve put together what I think is the most complete and accurate (for now) map of the Sea to Sky Trail.

Here is my custom Sea to Sky Trail map, made using Gaia GPS, my fave mapping app. Click through to zoom in and explore (and to download the GPX file).

PS: Want to save 10% on a premium subscription to Gaia GPS (the app I use for all my hikes)? Use my link – the discount appears in cart.

When you’re hiking or biking the trail, you will usually come across Sea to Sky Trail markers at important junctions. The markers aren’t huge, but they are there if you look for them. However, keep in mind that sometimes the markers will take you on older versions of the trail so use the markers along with my map to stay on track.

Sea to Sky Trail Description

Which Direction to Go?

When I was researching this trip, it seemed like most people (both hikers and cyclists) chose to start in Squamish and go north to Pemberton. But then I looked at the elevation profile and realized that if I started in Pemberton and went south, the first 30 km would be uphill, but then the rest would be downhill. So I started in Pemberton.

However, I don’t know that I would necessarily recommend that strategy. The 30 km from Pemberton to the high point above Green Lake involves lots of climbs, some of which are steep. Starting in the north means you have your hardest day first. If you start in Squamish, yes, you’ll be going uphill, but it’s much more gradual.

So, in summary, I don’t recommend one direction over the other.

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Key Locations

Squamish Waterfront to MTN Fun Basecamp

Distance: 10.9 km

Elevation Gain: 100 m

Elevation Loss: 70 m

The trail starts at Sp’akw’us Feather Park near downtown Squamish. It’s a new beachfront park accessed via Loggers Lane. It has washrooms, a water bottle refill station, and incredible views of the Stawamus Chief. You’ll find a small “Sea to Sky Trail” sign on the road near the parking area, but otherwise, there is no other info about the trail.

From the beach, head west along the paved path through the park. Exit the park at the northwest corner, following a gravel trail along a narrow inlet littered with remains of Squamish’s industrial past.

About 1.5 km from the start, emerge onto the pavement in downtown Squamish. Use Logger’s Lane or Cleveland Avenue to head north to Pemberton Avenue, then turn right. Take the path under the bridge. On the other side, stay on the paved Corridor Trail beside the Mamquam Blind Channel.

Follow the Corridor Trail as it parallels Loggers Lane, then crosses the Mamquam River beside Highway 99. About 7 km from the start, the Corridor Trail passes in front of Garibaldi Village shopping centre. This is a good place to get a snack or go to the bathroom at one of the quick-service restaurants. The Purebread cafe here is a great place for a treat.

The Corridor Trail ends at the 9.9km mark. From here, follow signs for the Through the Looking Glass Trail through the woods. Those on bikes should be prepared for a steep first few minutes and some tight switchbacks at the end.

At the 11 km mark, exit the trail onto Depot Road. MTN Fun Basecamp Campground is located here.

MTN Fun Basecamp to End of Paradise Valley Road

Distance: 15.4 km

Elevation Gain: 155 m

Elevation Loss: 90 m

Cross Highway 99 at the traffic light, then turn right onto the Ray Peters Trail. A minute later, go left to take the left branch of the Ray Peters Trail (right continues beside the highway). You’ll follow this packed gravel and dirt path through the forest as it parallels Ross Road and Government Road.

Exit the Ray Peters Trail at the intersection of Government Road and Squamish Valley Road at the 14.5 km mark. From here, you have a long road section, first paved, then gravel. Thankfully, traffic is light.

Head west on Squamish Valley Road to the bridge over the Cheakamus River. Fergie’s Cafe is on your right – it’s a great brunch or lunch spot if you have time. Sunwolf Riverside Cabins are also on the same property.

On the other side of the bridge, at the 16.1 km mark, turn right onto Paradise Valley Road. The first section of this road is gorgeous with lots of big leaf maple trees overhead. Pass the Paradise Valley Campground at 19.7 km just after crossing a bridge over the Cheakamus River.

The road turns to gravel at 21.5 km. Unfortunately, this section isn’t very scenic, and it can be dusty. The road gets rougher as it reaches its end at 26.5 km. There is an informal drive-in camping area at the end of the road that is popular on weekends. However, it has no toilets, food storage, or other facilities.

End of Paradise Valley to Chance Creek FSR

Distance: 9.9 km

Elevation Gain: 455 m

Elevation Loss: 235 m

From the end of the road, follow the Cheakamus Canyon Trail uphill into the forest – it’s one of my favourite hikes in Squamish. This is one of the biggest climbs on the trail. The trail is steep and loose in places. Cyclists will have to hike-a-bike through here. There is a large barrier at a railway crossing that bikes will need to be lifted over.

Reach Starvation Lake at 28.6 km, having gained about 115 m since leaving the road. I love swimming here. There is a clearing in the trees on a spur trail on the north side of the lake that makes a good informal campsite. It has no toilet, food storage, or other facilities.

Continue uphill past the lake. In places, you can see the railway line and Cheakamus River in the canyon below you. In one short section, traverse a wire mesh catwalk suspended on the side of a cliff. The trail has steep drop-offs in places, but it is wide, so you can always stay far back from the edge. Some short, steep hills with loose gravel may require pushing your bike.

The trail ends at Highway 99 at the 32 km mark, having climbed another 100 m up from the lake. From here, you have a 3.9 km segment of Highway 99 to deal with. Hikers can stay on the west shoulder, in some places on the other side of the concrete barrier. Bikers will need to cross the highway carefully, then bike on the shoulder, which is reasonably wide.

Turn left onto Chance Creek FSR at the 36.1 km mark.

Chance Creek FSR to Brandywine Falls

Distance: 10.5 km

Elevation Gain: 260 m

Elevation Loss: 125 m

Follow this gravel road for 0.2 km, then turn right back onto the Sea to Sky Trail. The trail climbs up under a power line and passes near Lucille Lake. (Take a trail branching left to visit the lake, which has good swimming.) It then heads back under the same powerline and follows old double-track roads to Shadow Lake.

Shadow Lake is part of the larger Daisy Lake Dam complex, so there are pumphouses and other infrastructure in this section. Stay on the old double track on the west side of the lake, then follow the road as it becomes a trail and heads into the forest. Some trailside clearings near a bridge over Roe Creek could work as informal campsites. There are no toilets, food storage, or other facilities.

The trail becomes old double track again as it crosses the railway tracks and swings north to follow the powerlines. Reach paved Retta Lake Road at the 41.5 km mark. This road accesses two gated communities of private homes.

Go north on Retta Lake Road until you reach Highway 99 at the 43 km mark. Next up is the longest Highway section. You’ll be on the road for 4.1 km. Cyclists have a left turn lane to cross the highway, but the shoulder in this section is quite narrow. As well, it’s uphill – you’ll gain almost 100 m. Hikers can stay on the west shoulder, facing traffic, which is a bit wider.

Turn right into Brandywine Provincial Park at 46.9 km.

Brandywine Falls to Cal-Cheak Campground

Distance: 5.2 km

Elevation Gain: 155 m

Elevation Loss: 135 m

Brandywine Falls Provincial Park has lots of trails, but you’ll use just a few of them. Head through the parking lot, past the outhouses, and over the bridge across Brandywine Creek. Follow the wide main trail southeast and across the railway tracks. On the other side, detour for a few hundred metres to visit the Brandywine Falls viewpoints.

The Sea to Sky Trail continues east just south of the railway tracks. The wide gravel trail heads through the forest and down a small hill before climbing back up into more open terrain as you pass under powerlines and past old lava flows pockmarked with little lakes.

Arrive at the Bungee Bridge at 46.9 km. It’s worth waiting at the viewpoint to watch someone jump. Cross the bridge when the bungee staff tell you it’s safe to do so. Cyclists will have to carry their bikes up a short flight of stairs.

On the other side, follow the trail down to the Daisy Lake/Cal-Cheak FSR and head north on the wide gravel road.

Reach the southern entrance to Cal-Cheak Campground at 52.2 km at the intersection of the Cheakamus River and Callaghan Creek. This large campground has three main areas, each with tent sites and outhouses.

Cal-Cheak Campground to Function Junction

Distance: 8 km

Elevation Gain: 250 m

Elevation Loss: 150 m

Continue along the gravel road, watching for the Sea to Sky Trail to branch off to the right at 52.6 km, just past the spur road to the north campground.

The next section of trail travels through beautiful shady woods and past several rockslides, a relic of the area’s volcanic history. There are some short, sharp climbs with tight switchbacks that require careful bike handling. A long, straight section follows a former logging railway. Cross the Cheakamus River on a suspension bridge at the 55 km mark.

On the other side, the trail starts with a climb and then winds across a series of rolling hills. Expect to see lots of hikers as you approach Trainwreck junction at 58.3 km.

You can take a short detour down the hill to the Whistler Trainwreck, a set of abandoned train cars suspended over the side of the Cheakamus River Canyon. From the junction, follow the busy trail east to Jane Lakes Road at 58.8 km.

Go northeast on Jane Lakes Road, then take the Valley Trail across the Cheakamus River near the intersection with Legacy Way. At 60 km, stay on the Valley Trail as it heads northeast on the east side of Highway 99. If you need a break, detour across the Highway into Function Junction to grab a treat from Purebread or beer and pizza from Whistler Brewing.

Function Junction to Lost Lake

Distance: 11.6 km

Elevation Gain: 270 m

Elevation Loss: 175 m

You’ll be on the Valley Trail all the way through Whistler. It is a paved multi-use trail, so expect to share it with other cyclists, joggers, and walkers. Even though it crosses many streets and Highway 99, the trail is fairly easy to follow with signs at every junction – just follow the arrows to Whistler Village.

At 64.5 km ride through Alpha Lake Park. Pass through Wayside Park at 66.2 km and Lakeside Park at 66.7 km. All three parks have bathrooms and swimming areas. Wayside Park and Lakeside Park are also launch points for paddling the River of Golden Dreams.

Use the underpass to cross Highway 99 at 69.2 km to enter Whistler Village. You must walk your bike through the village. This is a great place to stop for something to eat – there are seemingly endless cafes and restaurants. It’s a bit fancy, but I love the sandwiches at Provisions on Village Stroll.

Make your way through the village, aiming for the Valley Trail between parking lots #1 and #2. After crossing the parking lots, take the Valley Trail north towards Lost Lake – ignore the branch that crosses Fitzsimmons Creek on the covered bridge.

Stay on the Valley Trail as it parallels the parking lots and passes underneath Lorimer Road. Cross Fitzsimmons Creek on a wide bridge, and arrive at the entrance to Lost Lake Park and the Lost Lake Passivhaus at 70.7 km.

Follow the wide gravel trail into the park, then go right to stay on it towards Lost Lake Beach. There are more bathrooms and another swimming area here.

Lost Lake to Wedgewoods

Distance: 8.4 km

Elevation Gain: 245 m

Elevation Loss: 335 m

Stay on the wide gravel trail as it heads up the lake’s east side.

From here, you’ll be on a series of mountain bike trails that traverse the slopes high above Green Lake. If you follow the signage correctly, you’ll stay on easy green-rated trails or old logging roads. But if you get lost, you could end up on a challenging black diamond-rated trail. Pay attention!

At the end of the Lost Lake Trail, take Gandy Dancer for 400 m to Siwash Trail for 200 m to the Green Lake Loop. Stay on the Green Lake Loop as you reach the Sea to Sky Trail’s high point at 758 m.

As you get towards the north end of Green Lake, the trail network can be confusing. Look for signs that say Sea to Sky Trail or Green Lake Loop. When in doubt, the wide gravel road will also take you where you want to go. If you want an interesting detour, you can head northwest on the Parkhurst Trail to explore the abandoned ghost town of Parkhurst.

Eventually, you’ll descend to the Green River Road, also called Riverside Drive. Turn right and follow this road as it parallels the railway tracks and the Green River.

At 80.4 km, reach the Riverside Dispersed Camping Area near the railway tracks and Highway 99. This informal drive-in camping area has an outhouse but no food storage or other facilities.

Follow the gravel road northeast from the junction. In a few minutes, ignore the uphill branch that goes to the Wedgemount Lake Trailhead. Instead, stay left and follow the road into the Wedgewoods neighbourhood.

Wedgewoods to Gord’s Garden

Distance: 5.8 km

Elevation Gain: 90 m

Elevation Loss: 185 m

A wide paved path runs beside Riverside Road through this high-end subdivision. Follow it across a bridge over the Green River. Just before the road curves left to meet up with Highway 99, turn left on Skier’s Rest Lane. Turn left again into an unmarked driveway for the complex’s trash storage building, and find the Sea to Sky Trailhead at 82.7 km.

The next section of trail sticks close enough to Highway 99 that you can often hear it or see it. The path heads through tight second-growth forest and rambles underneath the powerlines.

Emerge on Highway 99 at 86.1 km and turn right to cross the railway tracks, then turn right onto Soo Valley Road. You’ll be on the Highway for less than 100 m.

Gord’s Garden to Green River Motocross

Distance: 8.4 km

Elevation Gain: 150 m

Elevation Loss: 295 m

Find the Gord’s Garden Trailhead on your left almost immediately after leaving the highway. This section is named for Gordon McKeever, one of the early champions of the Sea to Sky Trail. Follow the trail steeply up the hill and under the power lines. There are tons of dirt bike trails in this area – follow the Sea to Sky Trail signs to stay on track.

After reaching a high point under the power lines, the trail descends gradually. Watch for a left turn into the forest. The trail continues to descend until it reaches the banks of the Green River.

The next few kilometres are my favourite part of the Sea to Sky Trail. The path follows the Green River with lots of spots to stop for a break or stick your toes in the water. There are also some lovely groves of giant trees.

There are even a few clearings big enough to work as informal campsites. The best one near the 90 km mark has a picnic table, but there are no toilets, food storage, or other facilities.

Starting near the 90.5 km mark, the trail passes through an ancient rockslide. A spur trail leads to a viewing platform. In places, the trail builders have shored up the trail to create a smooth pass across large boulders. It’s a spectacular sight.

Around 91.7 km, the trail passes a sandy area called Mystery Beach. While the river is cold and fast, locals do dip here.

Emerge on the gravel Mount Currie Road at 92.3 km. There is an outhouse here. Turn left and follow the flat road past the oval of the Pemberton Speedway and the jumps of the Green River Motocross Track, both on your right. They both have outhouses.

Green River Motocross to Nairn Falls Provincial Park

Distance: 8.3 km

Elevation Gain: 260 m

Elevation Loss: 350 m

Turn right on Highway 99 at 94.7 km to start your last highway section. It’s 1.9 km long. The shoulder is moderately wide here, and traffic is lighter here than south of Whistler, so it’s not a high-stress section. Follow the Highway across the Soo River Bridge. Pass the Sea to Sky Soils Compost Plant – hopefully it’s not too smelly.

Immediately after crossing the Rutherford Creek bridge, turn left onto North Rutherford Creek Road at 96.6 km. Walk uphill on the steep gravel road, passing an outhouse. About 500 m from the highway, turn right onto the Sea to Sky Trail. This newer section provides an alternative route to the highway (which is scary to ride/walk), but does involve lots of short, sharp climbs and descents.

The trail climbs up onto a bluff with a view down to the river. Then it descends into an open and flat area under the power lines. Next, the trail goes into some beautiful cedar woods as it passes several creeks and the remains of an old cabin.

Stay on the trail as it swings close to the highway, then climbs up onto another bluff under the powerlines. Cross the entrance road to the gun range, and continue along the trail as it climbs under powerlines. Descend to Highway 99 and cross it at a railway crossing at 102.2 km.

From here, a new trail parallels the highway on the east side and brings you into the parking lot for Nairn Falls Provincial Park at 103.1 km. The trail to the falls is one of my favourite hikes in Whistler.

Nairn Falls Provincial Park to Pemberton

Distance: 4 km

Elevation Gain: 95 m

Elevation Loss: 140 m

Head into the campground, then turn left to follow the northernmost campground road to the northeastern corner of the campground, where you rejoin the Sea to Sky Trail. You’ll pass several outhouses and a water pump.

The trail winds through the woods and zigzags up a hill. You’ll enter a zone with several mountain bike trails joining from the right – ignore them and stay on the main Sea to Sky Trail. The trail also passes through a challenging and wooded disc golf course.

At 105.7 km, reach One Mile Lake. A spur trail to the left leads to the beach, parking lot, and toilets. Turn right and follow the trail around the east side of the lake. At the north end of the lake, take the trail north to a bridge over Pemberton Creek.

Stay on the trail as it becomes Vine Road, passes McDonald’s, and then crosses Highway 99. Congratulations, you’ve finished all 107.4 km of the Sea to Sky Trail from Squamish to Pemberton.

If you’re really keen, the trail continues to the tiny town of D’Arcy. However, most of the trail is on a boring paved road, so I haven’t done it.

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Sea to Sky Trail Itineraries

Hiking Itineraries

If you’re planning to hike the Sea to Sky Trail as a backpacking trip, stopping to camp along the way, it makes sense to do it as a four-day/three-night trip.

Here is my recommended itinerary for hikers:

Day 1: Sp’akw’us Feather Park to end of Paradise Valley Road: 26.5 km, 255 m gain, 160 m loss

Day 2: End of Paradise Valley Road to Cal-Cheak Campground: 24.9 km, 870 m gain, 495 m loss

Day 3: Cal-Cheak Campground to Riverside Dispersed Camping: 28.3 km, 765 m gain, 660 m loss

Day 4: Riverside Dispersed Camping to Pemberton: 27.6 km, 595 m gain, 970 m loss

You can also create other itineraries by using car shuttles or taxis, since there are lots of places to access the trail from Highway 99. See the camping and where to stay section below for accommodation options along the trail.

Biking Itineraries

Strong gravel riders or mountain bikers can ride the Sea to Sky Trail in a single day. However, it is a common bikepacking destination, and most bikepackers will ride in two days.

Here is my recommended itinerary for biking the Sea to Sky Trail:

Day 1: Sp’akw’us Feather Park to Cal-Cheak Campground: 51.4 km, 1125 m gain, 655 m loss

Day 2: Cal-Cheak Campground to Pemberton: 55.9 km, 1360 m gain, 1630 m loss

You can also stretch out the trip to three or even four days using the accommodation options listed in the camping and where to stay section below.

Camping and Where to Stay on the Sea to Sky Trail

There are lots of accommodation options along the Sea to Sky Trail, including campgrounds, hostels, and hotels. My guide to hotels in Squamish and my guides to camping in Squamish and camping in Whistler have more info.

Please note that I’ve included some dispersed and informal camping areas that have no facilities. In these areas, you will need to go to the bathroom the Leave No Trace way, filter water, pack out your trash, and store your food/toiletries/garbage securely in a bear hang or Ursack.

Below, I’ve got a breakdown of the major campgrounds and hotels arranged in the order you will encounter them along the trail.

Squamish Area Camping and Hotels

Downtown Squamish Hotels and Hostels: There are several hotels and the Squamish Adventure Inn Hostel in downtown Squamish between the 1.5 and 2.8 km marks on the trail. I recommend Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Company.

Mamquam River Campground: Located a few blocks east of the trail near Brennan Park Rec Centre at the 5.9 km mark. Both drive-in and walk-in sites. No water or showers. Reservations are required.

Garibaldi Estates Hotels: There are two hotels along the northern part of the paved trail through Squamish: The Executive Suites Hotel and Resort (8.7 km mark) is my top pick, but the Sea to Sky Hotel (at the 7.5 km mark) is right next to shops and restaurants.

MTN Fun Basecamp Campground: Located at the 10.9 km mark. Drive-in sites. Free hot showers. Reservations required.

Sunwolf Riverside Cabins: Hipster cabins and a famous brunch spot next to the Cheakamus River Bridge near the 16 km mark.

Paradise Valley Campground: Located at 19.7 km. It has a few walk-in sites and lots of drive-in sites. Pay showers. Reservations required.

End of Paradise Valley Road: An informal dispersed camping area with drive-in access next to the river at the 26.5 km mark. No toilets or other facilities.

Starvation Lake: There is an informal dispersed camping area near the north end of the lake at the 28.6 km mark. No toilets or other facilities.

Shadow Lake: There is an informal dispersed camping area north of the lake near Roe Creek at the 40 km mark. No toilets or other facilities.

Whistler Area Camping and Hotels

Cal-Cheak Campground: This drive-in campground at the 52.2 km mark has 55 first-come, first-served sites spread over three loops next to a creek and a river. It has bear-proof food lockers and outhouses, but no water taps or showers.

HI Whistler Hostel: Located near the 59.4 km mark in the Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood.

Whistler Hotels: There are lots of hotels located between the 65 and 70 km marks in Whistler Village and Creekside. My favourite is the Summit Lodge since it is quiet and has large rooms but isn’t too pricey (by Whistler standards anyway).

Parkbridge Riverside Whistler Campground: Take a 1 km detour off the trail at the 74 km mark in the Lost Lake Trail system to reach this luxury drive-in campground with showers. In addition to tent sites, they have log cabins and yurts. Reservations required.

Riverside Dispersed Camping: There is informal camping along Riverside Road/Wedge FSR near the intersection with Highway 99 at the 80.4 km mark. You’ll find lots of vanlifers on the road and tents down along the Green River. There is an outhouse here, but no other facilities.

Pemberton Camping and Hotels

Gord’s Garden Dispersed Camping: There are several informal campsites with no facilities on the banks of the Green River along the Gord’s Garden section of the trail between the 89 and 91.5 km marks. The best one is near 90 km.

Nairn Falls Provincial Park: A big drive-in campground at the 103.1 km mark. It has outhouses and a water pump. Reservations required.

Pemberton Hotels: There are two hotels in downtown Pemberton near the 107.4 km mark. I recommend the Pemberton Valley Lodge, which is near the trailhead.

Tips for Hiking and Biking the Sea to Sky Trail

General Tips

Black bears are common in some sections of the trail. Carry bear spray in an easy-to-reach spot and know how to use it.

If you choose to use one of the informal camping areas, stow all food, toiletries, and garbage securely at night to protect them from bears, birds, and other critters. You can rig a bear hang in a tree, but I prefer to use an Ursack with a smell-proof liner.

There is cell phone coverage on most of the trail, but there are dead zones. Download offline maps ahead of time. Leave a trip plan with a friend or family member so someone knows where you’ll be.

Water Access on the Sea to Sky Trail

The trail passes lots of creeks, rivers, and lakes, so it’s usually fairly straightforward to get water. However, some smaller water sources will be dry in July, August, and early September. Unless you are filling from a tap or pump, you’ll need to filter or treat your water. I use a Katadyn BeFree since it is light, compact, and fast.

Below, I’ve identified the easiest places to fill up. These are all reliable year-round water sources.

• Sp’akw’us Feather Park (0 km): Water fountain next to the washroom building.
• Brennan Park Recreation Centre (5.7 km): Water fountain and washrooms inside.
• Cheakamus River Bridge (16 km): Access the river by walking through Sunwolf/Fergie’s.
• Cheakamus River Bridge (19.3 km): Access to the river on the north side of the bridge.
• End of Paradise Valley Road (26.5 km): Access to the Cheakamus River on the gravel flats at the north end of the informal camping area.
• Starvation Lake (28.6 km): Easy access to the west and north sides of the lake.
• Roe Creek (40.2 km): Water access next to a bridge, a few minutes north of Shadow Lake.
• Bungee Bridge Lake (49.8 km): Small lake on the west side of the trail just before the bungee bridge.
• Cal-Cheak Campground (52.2 km): Access to Callaghan Creek from the campground.
• Alpha Lake Park (64.5 km): Washroom building.
• Wayside Park (66.2 km): Washroom building.
• Whistler Village (69.2 km): Washrooms and water bottle refill stations at Olympic Plaza and Gateway Bus Loop.
• Lost Lake Passivhaus (70.7 km): Washrooms and water bottle refill station.
• Lost Lake Beach (72 km): Washroom building.
• Riverside Dispersed Camping (80.4 km): Access to the Green River.
• Gord’s Garden (89 to 91.5 km): Several spots to access the Green River.
• Nairn Falls Provincial Park (103.1 km): Water pump.

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Hiking Tips

The trail is mostly hard surfaces (packed gravel, pavement, logging roads), so big hiking boots are overkill. I wore big boots for the section I backpacked and regretted it – I would do it in low-cut hiking boots or trail runners next time.

The Highway sections aren’t that long but, they can be intimidating. Wear bright clothing. Next time, I would wear my headlamp on blinking mode and a blinky bike light on the back of my pack.

In a few places, you can walk on the other side of the concrete Highway barrier from traffic, which helps. While walking facing traffic is the safest option, in some places the shoulder is wider on the other side of the Highway, so you might want to cross over. But do it carefully, of course.

Biking Tips

The trail is intermediate/challenging for most bike packers. The hike-a-bike section near Starvation Lake (including lifting your bike over the railway barrier) and a few steep, punchy climbs just south of Nairn Falls are the main obstacles.

You will also want to be a confident bike handler, especially fully loaded, because in places the trail passes close to steep drops off or river banks.

Unlike many other bike packing or cycling touring routes, there is a lot of semi-technical single-track. Mountain bikers will find this terrain easy, but those unused to riding off road will find it challenging.

Most of the trail is packed gravel single track, dirt roads, or pavement, making it great for gravel bikes and hard-tail mountain bikes. In general, you’ll want wider tires – at least 38 mm but ideally 45+ mm or 2″ MTB tires. You’ll also want gearing for the steep climbs.

A bikepacking set-up is ideal for the bumpy terrain. You could do it with panniers, but they will get jostled around a lot. Don’t go too heavy, or you will hate the hills.

The Highway sections are short, but in places the shoulder is narrow and traffic is fast. Consider bringing a blinky light and wearing bright clothing to keep yourself visible. Take extra care crossing the highway.

How to Get to the Sea to Sky Trail (And Between Trailheads)

There are a few ways to get from Vancouver to Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton and between these towns.

Driving

It’s an easy (and beautiful) 1-hour drive to Squamish from Vancouver via the Sea to Sky Highway. It’s another hour to 45 minutes to Whistler, and then a further 30 minutes to Pemberton.

Biking

You can bike the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Pemberton, passing Squamish and Whistler, but it’s not for everyone – many cyclists will appreciate driving or taking the bus to skip the highway, especially between Vancouver and Squamish.

The section between Vancouver and Squamish is about 68 km with about 650 m of elevation gain. In some places, there is little to no shoulder. There are sharp turns, and traffic is very fast.

The section between Squamish and Pemberton is 93 km with 830 to 1050 m of elevation gain (depending on which direction you are going). It has more shoulder than the southern section, but there are still some tight spots.

Buses

There are four bus services you can use to get between Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton. The bus stops in Squamish and Whistler are on the Sea to Sky Trail. In Pemberton, the bus stop is 1 km from the trail. Getting to Squamish or Whistler is easy, but you’ll have to transfer in Whistler to get to/from Pemberton.

• Epic Rides: Stops in Whistler and downtown Vancouver. Takes bikes on a rear rack or in a box/bag. No charge for bikes.
• YVR Skylynx: Stops at YVR Vancouver airport, downtown Vancouver, Squamish, and Whistler. Takes bikes if they are in a box or bag.
• Squamish Connector: Stops at downtown Vancouver and Squamish. Takes bikes on a rear bike rack if you call or email ahead of time to reserve.
• BC Transit: Public transit between Pemberton and Whistler via the 99 Commuter bus route. Takes bikes on a front rack for free, but space is limited.

Taxis and Ride Shares

Squamish and Whistler have taxi services you can use to get between trailheads or to road crossings along the trail. Depending on the distance travelled, it can get expensive.

Whistler and Squamish do not have Uber or Lyft. However, you may be able to find a ride via Poparide, a carpooling app that is popular locally.

Squamish Trailhead

The Squamish Trailhead is located at Sp’akw’us Feather Park in downtown Squamish. The Sea to Sky trail ends/begins here next to the ocean.

The best place to park overnight is the gravel lot next to the Adventure Centre on Loggers Lane. It’s right on the Sea to Sky Trail and is 3.5 km from the trailhead. You can walk, bike, or take a taxi to the trailhead. Here are Google Maps directions to Sp’akw’us Feather Park.

Pemberton Trailhead

There isn’t a designated trailhead in Pemberton since the trail technically continues onward to D’Arcy. However, since that section isn’t finished and is essentially just a road, I recommend starting or ending in Pemberton rather than continuing to D’Arcy.

I consider the big “Pemberton” sign outside Mile One Eating House at the intersection of Highway 99 and Pemberton Portage Road to be the trailhead. It’s about 1 block from the trail, and there’s something cool about saying that you hiked or biked from downtown Squamish to downtown Pemberton. Here are Google Maps directions to the Pemberton sign.

I don’t have a great recommendation for overnight parking in Pemberton since we got dropped off. However, Pemberton’s bylaws allow anyone to park on the street for up to 72 hours, so you should be fine to leave your car in street parking. There is also a parking lot next to the Pemberton Skate Park on Pemberton Portage Road that could be ok to leave your car.

Sea to Sky Trail Review: My Opinion

I have to be honest: I have some mixed feelings about this trail (especially for hikers), and I don’t necessarily recommend it. However, it has enough redeeming features that I thought it was worth writing a guide. My opinion can be broken down into two broad themes:

It’s Not a Wilderness Trip

For the most part, the trail is surrounded by stunning natural scenery: forests, rushing rivers, lakes, etc. But the Sea to Sky Trail crosses Highway 99 and other car-accessible roads over 25 times. The farthest you will ever be from a car accessible road is 3 or 4 km on the Cal-Cheak to Trainwreck, Gord’s Garden, and Green Lake sections.

That’s great because it gives you flexibility for resupplying or getting on and off the trail. But it also means this is definitely not a wilderness experience. It’s not an urban trip either – it’s something in between. If you’re looking to detach yourself from the world and head into the bush, this trip isn’t that.

But I also loved the way that the Sea to Sky Trail shows you that despite being close to a rushing Highway, the entire corridor is full of wilderness. On my trips, I spotted lots of wildflowers, berries, old-growth trees, and animal tracks, often within sight or sound of Highway 99. It was great to slow down and enjoy walking and biking through a landscape that is usually rushed through in a car. So it’s not a wilderness experience… but there is still lots of nature.

And honestly, being close to population centres can also be great. You can stop for coffee, sandwiches, groceries, etc. You can have friends shuttle you and/or your gear between sections so you don’t have to carry heavy packs. An overnight in a hotel with a real bed and a shower is also possible!

It’s Better as a Bikepacking Trip Than a Backpacking Trip

In general, the Sea to Sky Trail is much better for cyclists. Even though it is bumpier and more technical than many bikepacking routes (which usually use gravel roads), it is quite scenic in places, and the single-track sections are a nice change of pace. Bikes can also get through the highway sections quickly.

As you can see in the surface breakdown at the top of this post, only 51.8 km of the 107.4 km is single-track trail. The rest of the trail is paved surfaces or hard-packed gravel roads, which are fun for cyclists but boring for hikers. Those hard surfaces are also killer on hikers’ feet.

That doesn’t mean that hikers shouldn’t do this trail. It just means that I recommend you understand what you’re signing up for. As well, if you’re doing it as a backpacking trip, I think the Sea to Sky Trail is best for spring or fall when other destinations are too snowy. Don’t waste prime summer weather on this trip.

Do I Recommend the Sea to Sky Trail?

For bikepackers looking for something a bit different than the usual gravel logging roads, yes, I recommend the Sea to Sky Trail. If you’re up for single track, a bit of hike-a-bike, and short, steep climbs, it’s great. The campground at Cal-Cheak (the typical overnight on a 2-day bikepacking itinerary) is also very nice.

For hikers, I don’t necessarily recommend the Sea to Sky Trail. If you’re already in Vancouver or the Sea to Sky region and are looking for a unique spring or fall trip, give it a go. Otherwise, I think there are so many other backpacking destinations in BC that are better.

The main reason I don’t recommend this trip for hikers is that there is too much road and paved trail. As well, many of the unpaved trail sections are under powerlines, which you’ll pass through quickly on a bike, but as a hiker, they get tiresome. And finally, the way that the campsites are spread out on the trail means you’ll have to do 20+ km days each day, which can be a lot for fully-loaded backpackers.

Final Thoughts

While the Sea to Sky isn’t my favourite trail, as a local, I do still have a soft spot for it. I love that the trail lets us see the plants, animals, and scenery that most people drive through the region without slowing down to appreciate. It’s also pretty cool to be able to go backpacking or bikepacking from the centre of one town to another!

If you’ve got questions about the trail, I’m happy to help. Hit me up in the comments.

READ NEXT:

• 30 Best Backpacking Trips in BC
• 60+ Things to do in Squamish
• Visiting Whistler, BC in Summer
• 22 Places to Camp Near Squamish
• 18 Places to Camp Near Whistler
• 10 Best Hotels in Squamish
• The Best Hikes in Squamish
• The Best Hikes in Whistler

The post Sea to Sky Trail from Squamish to Pemberton appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Penticton is a great place to base yourself for a summer visit to the Okanagan. It’s a cute and walkable city that sits between two big lakes, making it a clear beach destination with sand, kayaking, ice cream, etc. But there’s lots more to Penticton too.

My favourite part of the visit was an easy e-bike ride up into wine country with great views. Our turn around point was an old railway tunnel, which was really cool. I was also surprised by how relaxed everything felt. No one was in a hurry to get somewhere – everyone was just chilling out at the beach, on the patio, or at a winery.

I also discovered that Penticton is a great place to base yourself for day trips to nearby towns like Naramata and Osoyoos, home of one of Canada’s desert environments.

In this post, I’ve got everything you need to know about visiting Penticton in summer. These tips work for spring and fall, too.

This post includes:

• A map of Penticton that includes all the places I mention in this post.
• Best things to do in Penticton in summer: beaches, wineries, biking, kayaking, day trips, and more.
• Where to eat in Penticton: My picks for the best restaurants and cafes
• Where to stay in Penticton: The places I stayed at and loved
• Summer in Penticton basics: How to get there? How long to spend? What’s the weather like? And lots more.

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Thanks so much to Visit Penticton, Destination Osoyoos, and Discover Naramata for hosting some of my experiences on my trip. All opinions in this post are my own. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. – Taryn

Map of Penticton

To help you find your way around, I made this custom Google Map of Penticton for you. It includes every place I mention in this post.

The 10 Best Things to do in Penticton in Summer

There are dozens of things to do in Penticton during the summer months. Here are my top 10 picks of things I recommend.

Hit the Beach

Penticton is sandwiched between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake, so it is definitely a beach town. Both lakes have sandy beaches. Since it’s a bigger lake, the water in Okanagan Lake can be a bit colder than Skaha Lake. But on a hot day, it’s wonderfully refreshing.

On the Okanagan Lake side of town, you can swim at Okanagan Beach along Lakeshore Drive. It has a roped-off swimming area, washrooms, and trees for shade. It’s within walking distance of downtown Penticton.

On the Skaha Lake side, there is a long stretch of sand at Skaha Lake Park. Like Okanagan Beach, it has a swimming area, washrooms, and shade trees. But it also has a playground and a water park, so it’s great for kids.

Stroll the Promenade

One of the first things I did when I arrived in Penticton was stroll along the Promenade on Okanagan Lake next to Lakeshore Drive. It stretches for several kilometres along the shores of Okanagan Lake from the S.S. Sicamous Museum in the west to the marina in the east.

The path is a great place to enjoy the views of the lake and the huge Penticton sign on Mount Munson. The people watching is also excellent. Be sure to stop for some ice cream at Lickity Splitz or Tickleberry’s inside the giant peach.

Continue past the pier and Penticton Lakeside Resort into Okanagan Lake Park to check out the cute Ikeda Japanese Garden. It is maintained by volunteers.

Don’t miss the yellow-bellied marmot colony in the rocks at Marina Way Park. They are so cute! These members of the groundhog family don’t typically live in cities, but these marmots didn’t get the memo. Please don’t feed them – human food is junk food for wildlife and can make them sick.

Visit Wineries and Breweries

Penticton is at the heart of the Okanagan’s wine country. There are wineries on the edge of town as well as on the Naramata Bench northeast of the city. I’m not a wine drinker, so I didn’t visit any wineries on my visit. However, friends have raved about wine tasting here.

Since the wineries are spread out along winding roads, booking a wine tasting tour can be an easy and safe way to do it. You’ll get time at several wineries and a guide to be your designated driver.

• This Naramata half day small group wine tour includes visits to four wineries. All tasting fees and a tip for your drive is included in the tour price so you don’t need to worry about getting your wallet out!
• Or book a private tour with a wine expert who will drive you in your own vehicle and help you create the perfect itineray for your group.

There is also a very strong craft brewery scene in Penticton. While the town has a population of about 37,000, it has seven craft breweries!

I only had time to visit two breweries on my trip: Cannery Brewing and Abandoned Rail Brewing.

Cannery Brewing has a huge taproom as well as a cool outdoor space called the Backyard. Be sure to try their seasonal beers. My friend loved their Darkling Oatmeal Stout.

Abandoned Rail Brewing is just outside of Penticton on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. They have some indoor seating but the best spots are in the shade of their little orchard.

Bike the Kettle Valley Rail Trail

By far the best thing I did on my trip to Penticton was biking the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. We rented e-bikes from Pedego Penticton, which made the bike ride very low effort – I didn’t really even sweat (which is a miracle for me!)

The Kettle Valley Railway once stretched for hundreds of kilometres across southern British Columbia from Hope to Midway in the West Kootenays. After the railway was abandoned, it became a recreational trail. The section in Penticton starts near downtown and traverses the hillside wineries along the Naramata Bench.

I biked as far as Little Tunnel, which is a cool old train tunnel you can bike through. It has spectacular views overlooking Okanagan Lake. It has picnic tables so you can enjoy a lunch break – we brought sandwiches and snacks from The Bench Market, which we passed on our ride out of Penticton. We also stopped for delicious apple slushies at Abandoned Rail Brewing on the way back. It’s right next to the trail.

The ride is gently uphill all the way to Little Tunnel, but with the assist from the e-bikes, it was relatively easy. We spent about 4 hours on the trail, which included time for lots of breaks for photos, lunch at Little Tunnel, and hanging out in the shady orchard at Abandoned Rail Brewing.

Shop the Farmers’ Market

I spent a fun hour wandering around downtown Penticton to check out the booths at the market. Every Saturday in the spring, summer, and fall, several blocks of Main Street turn into a huge outdoor market. Actually, it is two markets that set up next to each other:

The Penticton Farmer’s Market focuses on fruit, veggies, baking, preserves, and crafts. Everything at the market is made, grown, or baked by locals.

The Downtown Community Market features crafts, clothing, food trucks, jewellery, antiques, and tons more.

Go Kayaking

I was excited to explore Penticton from the water. We rented kayaks at Pier Water Sports next to the Penticton Lakeside Resort. The sit-on-top kayaks were perfect for splashing around on a hot day.

It was a bit windy when we went out (which is common in the afternoon), so we stuck close to the shoreline and paddled along the beach towards the S.S. Sicamous, then past the resort to the marina. It was cool to see the city from the lake. And it was nice to get some chill time on the water.

Hike Munson Mountain

As soon as I spotted the huge white letters spelling out “Penticton” on the side of a hill Hollywood Sign-style, I knew I wanted to go up there. We made the short drive out of town to Munson Mountain Park.

It’s an easy walk from the parking lot to a great viewpoint with benches. If you’re up for it, you can follow a trail uphill to an even higher vantage point directly above the Penticton sign. The view from the top is incredible. You can see the town of Penticton to the south and Okanagan Lake stretching away to the north.

While researching this article, I found out that Munson Mountain is actually one of Canada’s Historic Places – the sign dates back to 1937.

The path to the lower viewpoint is only 200 m. The full trail up to the top viewpoint and back is about 1 km and is fairly steep in places. Allow about 30 minutes.

Float the Channel

When I told friends I had been to Penticton, a few of them asked if I had floated the channel. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time for this famous Penticton experience… but I guess that just means I’ll need to go back!

A seven-kilometre-long natural lazy-river channel connects Okanagan Lake to Skaha Lake. Locals and visitors have been floating the channel for decades. You can bring your own tube or rent one locally. Coyote Cruises offers a tube and bus combo that includes floatie rental and a ride back to the start.

Chill out in Naramata

The sleepy village of Naramata is just 20 minutes north of Penticton. The hills above the village are home to over a dozen wineries. I spent a relaxing day in Naramata, swimming at the quiet local beach, chilling out in the garden at The Village Motel, and wandering the quaint streets.

The sunset views in Naramata were incredible because it faces west across Okanagan Lake. (Penticton’s beaches face north (Okanagan Beach) or south (Skaha Beach), so the sunsets aren’t as good.)

We loved the pizza at Real Things and coffee in the morning from Just Baked.

Discover Naramata has put together some GPS-guided audio tours, which sound really cool. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to try them on my trip. Next time, I want to try their tour that includes the hike to Naramata Falls and the garden tour in Naramata Village.

Take a Day Trip to Osoyoos

The town of Osoyoos is just one hour south of Penticton, and it’s a gorgeous drive past several lakes and through orchards and vineyards. It’s home to a unique desert environment and makes a great day trip from Penticton. If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can book a day tour to Osoyoos that hits the desert highlights.

If you’re just visiting Osoyoos for the day, there are a few key places I recommend visiting.

Osoyoos Desert Centre

The first is the Osoyoos Desert Centre. This conservation area has exhibits and a 1.5-kilometre-long walking trail that highlights the unique flora and fauna of the Okanagan Desert. I took one of their guided tours, and I definitely recommend it. I learned so much about how the plants and animals survive this harsh landscape. And speaking of a harsh landscape – bring a hat, water and sunscreen. It’s hot out there with no shade.

Spotted Lake

You also can’t miss Spotted Lake, known as kłlilx’^w to the Syilx people. It’s located on the side of Highway 3 just outside of Osoyoos. The lake evaporates in the summer, leaving behind concentrated minerals that look like spots. It’s a sacred place for the Syilx, so you can only see the lake from the roadside pullout. But that’s ok, because it has a great view.

Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre

Lastly, I recommend the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre. It’s a great Indigenous museum just outside of Osoyoos. They have a small indoor museum with exhibits about the culture and history of the Osoyoos Indian Band. But I enjoyed the self-guided outdoor exhibits the most. Several trails wind through the desert to a reconstructed village and other hands-on displays. The trails also have great views of Osoyoos. I spotted lots of wildflowers too.

Where to Eat in Penticton

Penticton and the surrounding area have tons of restaurant options. Here are a few that I recommend.

Wayne & Freda

Wayne & Freda is a cute coffee shop located inside a former auto repair shop in downtown Penticton. They have a huge sunny patio. This is a great place to start the day: their breakfast sandwich is amazing. I also loved their spring toast. It’s an avocado toast with pesto and lots of veggies. They also have sandwiches if you’re here at lunch.

The Bench Market

Stop at the Bench Market to pick up takeout lunch on your way to bike the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. The cafe is on Vancouver Street just outside of downtown Penticton. They have great sandwiches and a well-stocked deli. Or stay and eat on their cute patio. They serve breakfast all day, too.

Cannery Brewing

Cannery Brewing in downtown Penticton has a huge taproom and a fun outdoor seating area called the Backyard. They have lots of craft beer on tap (of course). It’s easy to try a few kinds by ordering a flight. For non-beer drinkers like me, they have wine, cider, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options like craft soda and kombucha.

If you’re hungry, they have classic snacks like charcuterie boards and pretzels alongside substantial sandwiches. We had the Santa Fe nachos – they were huge and delicious.

Abandoned Rail Brewing

Head to Abandoned Rail Brewing just outside of Penticton to eat and drink in the orchard. It’s right on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, and their huge bike rack was stuffed with dozens of bikes on my visit.

They serve craft beer, but we went for their famous apple slushies, which really hit the spot after a bike ride in the sun. While we were there, we saw lots of people ordering their wood-fired pizzas. I’ll have to go back to try them. The prosciutto blackberry brie pizza sounds incredible.

The Hooded Merganser

If you’re looking for something a bit upscale with an incredible view, eat at The Hooded Merganser. It’s right on the Okanagan Lake… actually it’s in the lake since the restaurant is built on pilings over the water in front of the Penticton Lakeside Resort. The menu features elevated classics like lamb chops, steak frites, and parmesan-crusted halibut. They also have great pasta – my mushroom cannelloni was such a delicious umami bomb.

Real Things Pizza

If you’re in Naramata, get pizza from Real Things Pizza. It’s take-out or delivery only (no eat-in), but that just means that you get to eat dinner next to the water at one of Naramata’s beaches. Or in the garden at The Village Motel, like we did. Their pizzas have lots of fun flavour combinations, many of which were developed by their staff of local teenagers. Or you can get a classic Hawaiian like I did. (Yes, I believe pineapple belongs on pizza – don’t yuck my yum.)

Just Baked

Also in Naramata, don’t miss Just Baked. It’s a tiny coffee shop and bakery in The Village Motel. They have great scones, but I couldn’t resist eating one of their decadent brownies for breakfast!

The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry

If you’re looking for something different, head to The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry. It is located at the Indigenous-owned Spirit Ridge Resort just outside of Osoyoos.

The upscale food is Indigenous inspired and guided by their four food chiefs: the bear, the fish (salmon), the root (bitterroot) and the berry (Saskatoon berry). I had an incredible salmon eggs Benedict made with bannock, and my friend enjoyed a bison burger. One of the best parts of the restaurant is the view of Osoyoos and the lake from the patio.

Where to Stay in Penticton

There are tons of hotels, motels, and resorts in Penticton. Here are two that I stayed at recommend.

Penticton Lakeside Resort

I spent two nights at the Penticton Lakeside Resort. We stayed in a suite in the new West Wing Tower. I couldn’t believe how huge the suite was! It had an enormous bedroom as well as a big living room and a patio. Floor-to-ceiling windows gave us views of the lake and a park.

The resort has several different room types, many with lake views. They also have a few restaurants on the property, including the Hooded Merganser.

We really enjoyed how central this hotel was. It was an easy walk to the beach, the farmer’s market, and tons of restaurants.

Check rates.

The Village Motel

I spent the final night of my trip at The Village Motel in Naramata. It’s a retro bungalow-style motel with rooms arranged around a central garden courtyard. The rooms are cute, but they are small. However, you won’t mind because you’ll want to spend all of your time in the garden.

When we arrived in the late afternoon, several of the other guests were lazing around the garden quietly reading books and drinking wine. It looked so relaxing that we joined them immediately! I loved listening to the birds in the trees. We even spotted an owl!

There is an adorable coffee shop, Just Baked, on the property. Or you can pick up pizza from Real Things just up the road – that’s what we did for dinner. The rooms have kitchenettes, too, if you want to cook.

Check rates.

Penticton Basics

In this section, I’ve got practicalities for a summer visit to Penticton. It includes getting there, getting around, weather, what to pack, and more.

How to Get to Penticton

Penticton sits along Highway 97 in BC’s Okanagan region. Like most people, I visited Penticton by car. It’s an easy drive from major centres like Vancouver (4.5 hours), Calgary (8 hours), and Kelowna (1 hour). I like to use DiscoverCars to book car rentals since the site lets you compare prices across different rental companies.

You can also fly directly to Penticton from Vancouver via Pacific Coastal Airlines and from Calgary and Edmonton via Westjet. There are even more routes into Kelowna, which is only one hour away. On my trip, my friend flew into Kelowna and I picked her up. She said it was a short and easy flight.

You can also get to Penticton via public transportation. The Ebus goes from from Vancouver to Kelowna. From there, transfer to route 70 on the Okanagan Similkameen Transit System.

Getting Around Penticton

One of Penticton’s tourism slogans is that they are “fuel free… almost”. You can get around to most places in town by walking, biking, or paddling. For most of my trip, my car stayed in my hotel’s parking garage!

While you can drive to some of the day trip destinations in this guide, like Osoyoos or Naramata, you can also take the bus instead. (BC Transit Route 40 goes from Penticton to Osoyoos and Route 10 goes to Naramata.) If you want to go wine tasting, booking a small-group or private wine tour is your best bet since you won’t have to worry about drinking and driving.

How Long to Spend in Penticton in Summer

I spent a long weekend in Penticton, and I think that’s the perfect amount of time for a visit. In three or four days, you can see the highlights without being too rushed. However, I do wish I had been able to stay longer and just chill out. A week would have been ideal.

Summer Weather in Penticton

Penticton has similar weather to other destinations in the south Okanagan.

Summers are hot and dry. The average temperature from June to September is 14°C to 30°C (56 to 87F°); however, some days can be much hotter. It also rarely rains during the summer, about twice a month. Once the sun goes down, it cools off a lot.

What to Pack for Penticton in Summer

Penticton is pretty laid back, so you don’t need to pack anything too fancy. If you plan to visit some of the nicer restaurants or wineries, pack a cute summer dress or a pair of khakis and a button-down shirt. But otherwise, casual wear is fine.

The summer sun here is no joke. Bring sunscreen and a sun hat. You should also pack a water bottle since it is easy to get dehydrated in the heat. I use a Hydro Flask bottle because it is insulated, so it keeps my water cold.

This is a lake town, so bring all your beach stuff: swimsuit, sandals, sun hat, etc. Most hotels and resorts provide beach towels.

If you plan to bike or hike, bring a small backpack, hiking shoes, and quick-dry clothing. I like to wear a long-sleeved sun hoodie since it means I don’t have to constantly reapply sunscreen. I’ve got a list of my favourite sun hoodies, but my top pick is the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake.

Indigenous Context in Penticton

The southern Okanagan, including Penticton, Naramata, and Osoyoos, is the traditional territory of the Syilx Okangan Nation (pronounced “see-yil-th”) who speak nsyilxcən. The Nation comprises seven member communities, including the Penticton Indian Band and Osoyoos Indian Band.

The name Penticton comes from the nsyilxcən word snpintktn, which is often translated as “a place to stay forever”. However, a more accurate translation is “a place where people have always been all year long” since this area is rich in hunting, fishing, and gathering in all seasons.

Today, the Syilx still live in the southern Okanagan and continue to practice their traditions and culture. It is important to be respectful of Indigenous lands, culture, and traditions when you visit. If you want to learn more about the Syilx, visit the Nk’mip Desert Cultural Centre in Osoyoos, run by the Osoyoos Indian Band.

Final Thoughts

I was surprised by how much I liked Penticton. I think it was the laid-back atmosphere. I’d love to go back and spend more time there. On my next trip, I’ll probably do more biking, and I’d like to float the channel. But other than that, I’m looking forward to just soaking up more of the summer vibes.

Do you have questions about visiting Penticton in the summer? Ask away in the comments, and I’ll help you out.

READ NEXT:

• 30+ Things to Do in Vernon, BC
• 22 Weekend Getaways from Vancouver
• Tips for Hiking in Hot Weather
• Best Sun Hoodies for Hiking

The post 10 Things to Do in Penticton in Summer appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

In this post, Dawn Outdoors Contributor Shannon will guide you through the best outdoor adventures around Vegas. It includes thrilling hiking trails, serene water bodies, and adrenaline-fueled desert adventures. She is a Vegas local, so she knows all the best spots. Get ready to uncover a wilder side of Sin City!

This list of incredible outdoor adventures around Las Vegas includes:

• A Las Vegas outdoor activities map that shows the location of all the places mentioned in this post.
• Hiking and nature trails: hike at Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, and Mount Charleston
• Water activities: paddle a kayak or SUP at Lake Mead, the Colorado River, and Lake Las Vegas
• Camping: Where to camp at Lake Mead, Valley of Fire, and Mount Charleston
• Extreme Adventures including mountain biking, ATVing, and horseback riding

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Las Vegas Outdoor Activities Map

If you’re staying in Las Vegas, you’re probably wondering how far out of town you will need to go to get to outdoor adventures spots. We made a custom Las Vegas Outdoor Activities Google Map just for you that shows you all the places Shannon recommends in this post.

For some of these activities you can arrange transportation with a tour company, but for others, you’ll need to drive yourself. I like to use Discover Cars to book rental cars since it lets me compare prices across tons of companies.

Hiking and Nature Trails Near Las Vegas

Hiking at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers a breathtaking landscape for avid hikers. This area, located just 30 minutes from Las Vegas, hosts some of the best hiking trails near the city. 

Once you enter the park, you’ll find a one-way 13-mile scenic drive that leads you to many of the trailheads for hiking and exploring. The trails range in difficulty so it’s easy to pick one suited to your fitness level or desired challenge.

For first-time visitors, swing by the Visitor Center. The friendly staff provide information about various recreation opportunities tailored specifically for outdoor enthusiasts like you! 

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the more popular trails:

• Moenkopi Loop is a popular pick. It offers varied terrain and stunning desert vistas on an easy trail.
• Calico Hills Trail gives hikers up-close views of brightly colored sandstone formations and hidden slot canyons.
• The Calico Tanks Trail includes a hidden water tank at the finish line – a true oasis in the desert. Explore further along this strenuous trail for amazing views of the Las Vegas Strip.
• Hiking to Turtlehead Peak gets your heart pumping while rewarding you with panoramic views of Las Vegas.
• Keystone Thrust Trail brings geology to life as it passes through an exposed fault line.
• The White Rock Mountain Loop is a strenuous trail that stands out with its different scenery, cooler temperatures, and tranquil picnic spots under pine trees.

Or go with an experienced guide to learn about the ecology and culture of the unique red rocks. This guided hiking tour offers you a choice between three different trails to suit your ability.

Exploring Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire State Park provides a magnificent break from the city lights of Las Vegas. It stretches over a large area located in the Mojave Desert. The red and pink rock formations will catch your eye from miles away.

As you hike through the park, you’re likely to encounter 2000-year-old petroglyphs etched into massive red sandstone walls.

There numerous hikes and scenic drives here, but if you wish to indulge in more than just a day trip, there are lots of camping opportunities too.

Some of the popular attractions include:

• Atlatl Rock Trail: Wander along this short trail through the unique landscape and get a close-up view of ancient petroglyphs.
• Fire Wave Trail: A must-visit trail which is popular among hikers and photographers for its multicolored sandstone waves. (Note: This trail is closed between June and October each year due to extreme heat.)
• Rainbow Vista: A short yet rewarding hike with mesmerizing panoramic vistas of multi-colored sandstone.
• Pinnacles Loop: Dive deep into the heart of the park to witness breathtaking geological formations.
• White Domes: Engage in a moderate-level hiking experience with scenic views of canyon walls.

If you want the insider scoop on the best things to see, book a guided hiking tour. This Valley of Fire guided hike can be customized to your ablities and preferences.

Hiking at Mount Charleston

Mount Charleston, just outside Las Vegas, boasts an extensive network of over 60 well-maintained hiking trails. Starting from elevations above 6000 ft, these trails feature waterfalls, panoramic mountain views and the chance to see local wildlife along the trail.

Each hike provides unique encounters with Mount Charleston’s natural beauty while catering to different skill levels, ensuring that everyone can hike near Las Vegas.

Here is a quick guide to some of the hiking trails at Mt. Charleston:

• The Cathedral Rock Trail takes hikers on a scenic but challenging journey to the mountain’s summit with panoramic views of the countryside. 
• Mary Jane Falls is a fan-favorite amongst locals and tourists alike due to its beautiful waterfall view at the end of the trail. 
• Fletcher Canyon Trail presents beginners with a comfortable start into their hiking adventures around Mt Charleston. This trail is relatively easy and leads through picturesque scenery.
• The South Loop Trail is one of the more challenging hikes on Mount Charleston with its 8.5-mile climb. Even seasoned outdoors enthusiasts may find this half-above-10,000-feet hike demanding but rewarding with its stunning vistas.

Water Activities Near Las Vegas

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts in Las Vegas. Spanning 1.5 million acres and located in the Mojave Desert, the area offers a wide range of year-round activities.

Whether you enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking, or scuba diving, Lake Mead has it all. With its enormous size and beautiful surroundings, this recreation area is perfect for those looking to make the most of their outdoor adventure in Las Vegas.

This Lake Mead kayaking tour lets you explore the Boulder Islands and includes hotel pickup in Las Vegas.

Colorado River Rafting and Kayaking

The Colorado River near Las Vegas offers thrilling opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Here you can enjoy the stunning views of the Hoover Dam as you paddle down the Colorado River. This guided rafting tour takes you right to the base of the Hoover Dam.

You can also experience the adrenaline rush of whitewater rafting on the Colorado River. Book a day-long white water rafting tour in the Grand Canyon with pick-up from the Vegas Strip.

Here are a couple of other outdoor activities on the Colorado River.

Black Canyon National Water Trail

The Black Canyon National Water Trail, located just 45 minutes from Las Vegas, is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts. Stretching for 12 miles along the Colorado River, this trail offers paddlers an incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in solitude.

The route stars at the Hoover Dam. Along the way, you’ll encounter breathtaking scenery with sandy beaches, colorful caves, and even secluded hot springs. And if you’re up for more than just kayaking, there are plenty of opportunities for hiking and camping along the trail as well.

Emerald Cave

The Emerald Cave is a stunning natural wonder located on the Black Canyon Water Trail of the Colorado River. The only way to access the cave is by boat, whether it’s kayaking, canoeing, using a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), or your own motorized boat.

It is situated about 2 miles North of Willow Beach. If you don’t have your own kayak or boat, kayak tours to the Emerald Cave are highly recommended.

This beginner-friendly Emerald Cave kayak tour launches from Willow Beach includes transportation to and from the Strip.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding at Lake Las Vegas

Lake Las Vegas offers a range of exciting water activities, including kayaking and paddleboarding. You can rent kayaks or paddle boards from Lake Las Vegas Water Sports and spend a fun-filled day exploring the beautiful lake.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced paddler, this is the perfect place to enjoy these popular water sports. 

Camping Near Las Vegas

Boulder Beach Campground

Boulder Beach Campground is a fantastic camping spot near Las Vegas, located in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. With its convenient location and stunning views of Lake Mead, this campground offers 154 spacious campsites that are perfect for both tents and large RVs.

You’ll be surrounded by picturesque desert vistas, creating a truly unforgettable outdoor experience. In addition to camping, visitors can also enjoy activities like boating, hiking, and kayaking right from the campground.

Camping at Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire State Park is a great destination for camping near Las Vegas. With two campgrounds and 72 campsites, there are plenty of options to choose from. If you prefer RV camping, you’ll find sites with power and water hookups available at the park.

For those who enjoy tent camping, Arch Rock Campground is a popular choice. You can even go backcountry camping on approved roads within the park.

If you’re looking for information on when to go or how to book the best campsites, the Valley of Fire State Park website has everything you need for a memorable outdoor experience.

Mount Charleston Camping

Mount Charleston is an excellent choice for those looking to escape the Las Vegas summer heat. Located in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Mount Charleston has four campgrounds, seven picnic areas, and remote areas for dispersed camping. 

With its stunning mountain landscapes, well-maintained trails, and temps that are 20 degrees cooler than the Las Vegas Valley, it’s a paradise for hikers and nature lovers.

The campgrounds provide various amenities, including picnic tables, fire pits, and clean restroom facilities. You can explore the surrounding area by exploring the many hiking trails or simply relax in the peaceful alpine atmosphere of this beautiful spot.

Whether you prefer tent camping or RV camping, Mount Charleston has something to offer for everyone looking to escape Las Vegas.

Adventure and Extreme Sports Near Las Vegas

Mountain Biking Near Red Rock Canyon

Looking for an adrenaline-pumping outdoor adventure near Las Vegas? Look no further than mountain biking near Red Rock Canyon. With over 20 mountain bike trails of varying difficulty levels, there’s something for everyone. 

From scenic rides through the stunning landscapes of Red Rock Canyon to heart-pounding downhill descents, this area offers a range of experiences. Some popular trails include the Mustang Trail, perfect for beginners, and the Blue Diamond Hill Trail, known for its breathtaking views. 

The easiest way to go mountain biking is with a guide. This half-day tour takes you along the Mustang Trail in Red Rock Canyon.

ATV Tours in the Desert

ATV tours in the desert surrounding Las Vegas are a thrilling option for adventure seekers. These tours provide an exciting outdoor experience, allowing you to explore the beautiful southwest desert on an ATV.

You can choose from different options, such as riding a 450cc or 700cc ATV, with certified guides available to help you select the appropriate vehicle based on your experience and size.

Most tours include complimentary pick-up and drop-off services from your hotel. The tours also include lunch, refreshments, and safety gear to ensure a comfortable and secure adventure.

Popular destinations for off-road ATV tours include Eldorado Canyon and the Techatticup Gold Mine, offering an opportunity to combine adrenaline-pumping rides with historical exploration.

Here’s a few tours we recommend:

• This small-group ATV tour takes you through sand dunes. It has a 5-star rating!
• If you want an exclusive experience, this ATV tour lets you ride on a private trail in the Mojave Desert.
• To ride with your friends, book this side-by-side UTV tour. The four-passenger UTVs include full face helmets with intercoms so you can chat as you ride.

Horseback riding

Horseback riding is another fun outdoor adventure that you can enjoy during your trip to Las Vegas. It offers a unique way to explore the scenic desert landscapes surrounding the city. Whether you’re an experienced rider or a beginner, horseback riding in Las Vegas is a great option for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.

One of the most popular tours is a sunset horseback ride with a barbecue after. You’ll ride through Red Rock Canyon, then watch the sunset while you chow down on BBQ around the campfire.

If you want to start your day on horseback, book the Morning Maverick Ride. It includes a cowboy-style breakfast after your ride.

Las Vegas offers an abundance of outdoor activities that cater to every adventurous spirit. With its central location and easy access to national parks and hot springs, Las Vegas truly is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

Thanks to Shannon for sharing this great list of the best outdoor activities near Las Vegas. For more Vegas insider knowledge, check out ThreeDaysinVegas.com where Shannon is a regular contributor.

READ NEXT:

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• Hike the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon
• 15 Best Easy Hikes in Moab
• 10 Best Things to Do in Death Valley National Park
• 18 Awesome Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park
• 10 Under-the-Radar US National Parks to Add to Your Bucket List
• Things to Do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
• 25 Things to do in Grand Teton National Park
• 70 Things to do in Yellowstone National Park

The post 14 Best Outdoor Activities Near Las Vegas appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

It has everything you want to see in Tasmania all in one place: convict heritage sites, amazing wildlife, and great outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and camping.

Really the only thing it’s missing is delicious local Tasmanian food. (But you can buy that at the Salamanca Market in Hobart and bring it over for the complete experience.)

A visit to Maria Island is not at the very top of most people’s Tasmania bucket list, so it’s never exceptionally busy. Which is awesome since it means you won’t have to fight crowds while you walk through ruins, snap photos of adorable wombats and wallabies, or hike and bike to beautiful rock formations.

My complete guide to visiting Maria Island, Tasmania includes:

• Maria Island history: The convict era, farming, and wildlife sanctuary.
• Best things to do on Maria Island, Tasmania: Historical buildings, hiking, biking, wildlife, and more.
• How to get to Maria Island: Everything you need to know about the Maria Island ferry
• How to get around on Maria Island: walking and biking
• Where to stay on and near Maria Island: Camping, penitentiary accommodations, and nearby hotels.
• What to bring to Maria Island: Packing lists for day trips, overnight trips, and camping.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Maria Island, Tasmania Basics

Pronunciation: Aussies call it “ma-rye-ah” island, not “ma-ree-ah” island. Now you know.

Highlights: Convict historical sites, the best wildlife watching in Tasmania, excellent hiking and biking

Location: Off the east coast of Tasmania via a 30-minute ferry ride. The ferry dock is 1.5 hours drive from Hobart and 2.5 hours from Launceston. (See the How to Get To Maria Island section below.)

Costs: Ferry ride is $54AUD per adult. You must also have a valid National Parks pass. Prices vary and there are discounts for longer durations.

Best Time to Visit: Year-round, but the weather is best from December to March.

How Long to Spend on Maria Island: At a minimum, plan to spend half a day on Maria Island. In a full day, you can see all of the major sights. I recommend spending at least one night as its the best way to see wildlife and you’ll have more time for hiking and biking.

Maria Island, Tasmania Map

To help you orient yourself, I’ve made a custom map of Maria Island, Tasmania just for you. It shows all the places you can visit on the island, accommodation options, and key landmarks. 

Maria Island, Tasmania History

Before Europeans arrived, the Indigenous Puthikwilayti people lived on Maria Island. In 1642 Abel Tasman first sighted the island. He named it Maria Island after Maria van Diemen, the wife of the Governor General of the Dutch East India Company.

In 1825, a penal colony opened at Darlington on Maria Island. The penitentiary and commissariat store (now the park office) were built around that time. The colony closed in 1832 but then was reopened and expanded as a probation station in 1842. It then closed for good in 1850.

The ruins of 14 convict era buildings on Maria Island are recognized today as one of the most intact convict sites in Australia.

After the end of the convict era, an Italian named Diego Bernacchi leased the island in the 1880s and renamed it San Diego. He had grand plans to grow fruit and make wine and silk. He also started constructing a tourist resort which included a hotel and the Coffee Palace restaurant.

By 1896 Bernacchi’s grand plans had not materialized, so he left Maria Island. The Coffee Palace was converted to a boarding house and a small farming community developed on the land that Bernacchi had cleared.

In the 1920s a large cement company operated on the island, complete with its own mini-railroad. It was initially very successful and supported over 500 residents at Darlington. The large silos near the present-day ferry dock date from this time.

After the cement operations closed in the 1930s, most of Darlington’s residents left. A few farming and fishing families stayed until the 1960s. In 1971, Maria Island was officially declared a National Park.

Things to Do on Maria Island, Tasmania

 Visit the Convict Sites at Darlington

The main convict sites on Maria Island are in the former town of Darlington.

The first site is the Commissariat Store, near the ferry jetty. It’s the oldest building on the island and was originally a storehouse. Today it’s home to the park visitor centre and has some interesting displays for visitors.

Follow the road from the ferry jetty for 500m to reach the Darlington. You can explore the Penitentiary complex.

Be sure to go inside the Coffee Palace. This former restaurant from the Bernacchi era is now a museum. Two of the rooms have been restored to how they would have looked in the 1890s. There’s also a fun audio element where you can sit and pretend to have tea while listening to historical figures talk about life on Maria Island.

There are interpretive signs around the site to help you understand the history. 

Watch the Wildlife

Maria Island has been called Tasmania’s Noah’s Ark. Since it’s an island National Park with no residents, no cars, and no predators, it’s a haven for native Tasmanian animals. They are used to tourists so Maria Island is probably the best place in Tasmania to see wildlife.

The island has healthy populations of wombats, pademelons, and wallabies. Even though the animals are very tolerant of people, please don’t touch them, chase them or get too close. There have been lots of problems with tourists behaving very badly in recent years.

Maria Island is also home to some threatened populations of native animals. In the 1960s, Forester kangaroo populations were declining on mainland Tasmania, so kangaroos were brought to Maria Island. They are now thriving. The same story is true for Cape Barren geese, a large bird similar to a Canada goose. 

The Tasmanian devil population started plummeting in the early 2000s due to facial tumour disease. Maria Island was one of the first places that healthy captive-bred devils were released into the wild.

Today Maria Island hosts several dozen Tasmanian devils in a test program. If a devil can successfully survive on its own on Maria Island, they recapture it after a few years and move it to the mainland. They hope this will reestablish a healthy population there.

The best place on the island to see all of these animals on the open grassy slopes in Darlington and on the nearby airstrip. If you stay overnight you will see even more animals as many of them are nocturnal and only come out at dusk.

READ NEXT: Best Places to See Wildlife in Tasmania

Check Out the Painted Cliffs

The brightly coloured sandstone rocks at Painted Cliffs are probably the most photographed thing on Maria Island. (Or maybe they are tied for first with the adorable wombats?)

The sandstone cliffs have traces of red iron oxide in them, which creates beautiful patterns. Then the ocean waves have carved the rocks into wonderful swirls and curves. It’s gorgeous!

To get to the Painted Cliffs follow the coast road through Darlington. The cliffs are 2.5km away from the ferry jetty. It’s a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute bike ride.

The best time to visit is at low tide so you can see the cliffs – otherwise, the waves lap right up to them. Check the tide table online or at the visitor centre before you go.

Explore the Island by Bike

One of the best ways to explore Maria Island is by bike. You can get around faster so you can travel further and see more of the island. On my visit to Maria Island, I was recovering from a sprained ankle and couldn’t hike much. We rented bikes to make it easier for me to get around and I’m so glad we did. 

You can bring your own bike across on the ferry or hire one on the island at a shed next to the Penitentiary.

Bikes are allowed on all roads on the island but aren’t allowed on the walking tracks. You can get to most of the popular spots on the island by bike including the Fossil Cliffs, Reservoir, and Painted Cliffs.

It’s also a great way to explore further south on the island. We rode as far as the isthmus where we were stopped by very sandy conditions that necessitated pushing our bikes. But if you’re willing to slog through the sand, you can explore even further.

The National Park has more info about where you are allowed to bike on Maria Island.

Go Birdwatching

Maria Island is home to all but one of Tasmania’s twelve endemic birds. (That means species that are found only in Tasmania.) One of the highlights is the endangered (and very tiny) forty-spotted pardalote.

It’s one of the best places in Tasmania to go bird watching since it has a low human population and few predators. Bring binoculars and a bird identification guide, then head out on to some of the island’s quieter walking tracks to see what you can spot.

One of the easiest birds to see is the Cape Barren Goose. They like to graze on the grassy slopes around Darlington. Serious bird nerds (sometimes called “twitchers”) should bring a copy of the Maria Island bird list to see how many they can tick.

Walk the Fossil Cliffs Loop

This easy 2-hour loop walk provides a great overview of Maria Island’s past. You’ll pass by historical buildings from the convict era, the Bernacchi era, and the cement plant era. Be sure to visit the cemetery.

The highlight of the walk is the limestone rocks at the Fossil Cliffs. You can spot fossils in the rocks at this former quarry, and get great views of the sea cliffs towards Bishop & Clerk Peak. 

The whole loop is about 4.5km long and has a few hills and some sheer cliff edges. Bikes are permitted but you may have to push them up some of the hills. (Going down is really fun though!) 

Go Snorkelling 

Part of Maria Island National Park actually includes a marine reserve. This area on the west side of the Island is closed to fishing and very rich in sea life. The best way to see it is with a mask and snorkel.

Explore the area around the ferry jetty and see which undersea creatures you can spot. Just be careful to watch for boat traffic. And of course, like the rest of Tasmania, the water is chilly! For more info on the Marine Reserve and its wildlife, visit the Maria Island Marine Reserve website.

Go to the Beach

If you just want to cool off in the water on a warm day, Maria Island has lots of sandy beaches. The easiest one to access is in Darlington Bay near the ferry jetty. Follow the path through the dunes behind the toilet building in the campground.

If you want to venture further afield, head to the beach next to the Painted Cliffs. It’s only 30 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by bike from Darlington.

For more solitude, walk 1.5 hours or bike 30 minutes to beautiful, blue Four Mile Bay. To experience some of the warmest water on Maria Island, you’ll have to head even further to Shoal Bay. It has shallow water that heats up in the sun. It’s a 3-hour walk or 1-hour bike ride.

Hike in the Forest on the Reservoir Circuit

The easy Reservoir Circuit walk takes about 1.5 hours to complete and takes you through some of Maria Island’s forested interior. You’ll see lots of native vegetation. You might even be lucky enough to spot some of the island’s birds, including the endangered forty-spotted pardalote.

There are also a few historical ruins along the way. My favourite was the old cement works made of red bricks.

If the full circuit is too long, you can skip the trek out to the reservoir and make a smaller loop that takes only 45 minutes. Most of the reservoir circuit is open to bikes, but if you’re on two wheels you’ll have to skip the walking track portion and backtrack on the road.

Climb Bishop and Clerk Peaks

If you want a challenging hike, take on the 4-hour walk to the top of Bishop and Clerk Peaks. These two dolerite columns tower over Darlington. Early settlers thought the rocks of one peak resembled a bishop wearing pointed mitre hat. The other peak was a clergyman (clerk) following him.

The track starts out on the gravel roads of Darlington before heading along the tops of sheer sea cliffs. It climbs in the forest before emerging on a rocky scree slope.

Follow the yellow arrows and cairns through the rocks. The route becomes a bouldery scramble that is very challenging. The summit is at 620m and has great views of the rest of the island.

Explore the Isthmus, Point Lesueur and South Maria Island

Head down to the southern part of Maria Island away from the crowds to explore the isthmus, the beach at Shoal Bay and Point Lesueur. Maria Island is actually two main islands joined by a sandy isthmus.

Near the isthmus, you can explore the ruins of a convict era probation station at Point Lesueur. The picturesque remains of nearby French’s Farm are also worth visiting. If you really want to get off the beaten path, cross the sandy isthmus and continue on to Robey’s Farm or Haunted Bay.

It’s a long way to the southern part of Maria Island. If you’re walking, French’s farm is 3 hours one way, Point Lesueur is about 3.5 hours and the far side of the isthmus is about 4 hours. Biking is much faster – that’s what we did. However, some of the roads are very sandy so you might have to get off and walk.

Summit Mount Maria

Mount Maria is the tallest point on Maria Island at 711m. It’s more remote than Bishop and Clerk, so it is less commonly climbed. It’s a challenging 6 to 7-hour walk that finishes with half an hour of difficult rock scrambling to the summit. On clear days there are panoramic views from the summit. 

How to Get to Maria Island, Tasmania

Getting to the Ferry Terminal

To get to Maria Island, you’ll need to take a 30-minute passenger ferry ride. The ferry leaves from the small town of Triabunna on the East Coast, which is about 1.5 hours by road from Hobart or 2.5 hours from Launceston. Here are Google Maps driving directions. There is plenty of free parking near the ferry dock.

From Hobart, you can get to Triabunna via the public Tassielink bus or the dedicated Maria Island shuttle. Or book a day tour from Hobart that includes ferry reservations.

You can also hire a car in Hobart and drive yourself. I use Discover Cars because it lets you compare prices from lots of different companies to make sure you are getting the best deal.

Taking the Ferry

There are multiple sailings per day, with a reduced schedule in the winter. Check the ferry schedule before you go. The return journey costs $54AUD per adult. There are discounts for children, students, and seniors. In the summer, make reservations in advance as they do book up.

In order to check-in for the ferry, you will need a valid National Parks pass. If you don’t already have one, you can purchase one online at the same time as you make your ferry reservation. 

Your ferry ticket includes one carry-on bag. You need to pay for any additional bags, bikes, kayaks, etc. but the fees are quite reasonable.

Once you get off the ferry on Maria island you will need to walk 500m from the ferry dock to Darlington town. There are a small number of wheeled carts you can use to carry your luggage. 

Getting Around on Maria Island, Tasmania

The only vehicles on Maria Island belong to the Parks Service. To get around you will need to either walk or bike. Most of the major sites are within an hour’s walk of Darlington and the ferry.

However, if you want to explore further afield, a bike can be handy. Biking is allowed on all roads on the island, but not on the walking tracks. You can bring your own or rent one on the island. You can reserve bikes online ahead of time. Tasmanian law requires you to wear a bike helmet.

Where to Stay on Maria Island, Tasmania

If you want to stay overnight on Maria Island there are only two choices for accommodations: camping or staying in the old penitentiary. However, you can easily do a day trip to the island by booking accommodation near Triabunna.

It’s also possible to do a day trip to Maria Island from Hobart. But honestly, I really recommend staying overnight since that’s by far the best way to see the wildlife. (Plus it gets a LOT quieter after the last ferry of the day leaves.)

Darlington Penitentiary Accommodations

The old penitentiary in Darlington operates as a bunkhouse. It has ten basic dorm-style rooms that you can book through the National Parks Service. They sell out months in advance for the popular summer season.

Rooms start at $44 per night per room for 2 people. There is an extra charge for more people and special family rates.

The rooms have six bunks with mattresses, a table and chairs, and a wood heater. There is no electricity or bedding. Bring your own linens and a lantern.

Shared toilet facilities are across the courtyard. There is also a shared kitchen with gas cooktops but you need to bring your own pots, pans, utensils, dishes, etc. 

Camping on Maria Island

The main campground at Darlington is centrally located just down the slopes from the penitentiary and is a great spot for seeing wildlife. I really enjoyed my time camping there.

It’s an open grassy area with a few trees and no designated campsites. No bookings are taken. Register at the Maria Island Gateway before you get on the ferry.

Fees are $13 per site per night for two people, with an extra charge of $5 for each additional adult. There are also special family rates.

There is a covered picnic shelter with barbecues and a fireplace. The toilet building has drinking water taps, but you must treat the water. The wildlife are pretty bold, so the Rangers will give you a metal bin to store your food.

There are also wilderness campgrounds at French’s Farm and Encampment Cove. Both of these campgrounds are free. They have untreated rainwater tanks but check with park staff before you go as they can run low in the summer.

French’s Farm is 11km from the ferry jetty. Encampment Cove is 13km from the ferry jetty. Both can be reached via the coast road on foot or by bicycle.

Triabunna Area Accommodations

If the Maria Island accommodations are too rustic, consider staying overnight in Triabunna, or nearby Orford. That way you can catch an early ferry to the island and spend the entire day there. 

Budget: Triabunna Cabin & Caravan Park

Book a cozy cabin or cottage at the Triabunna Cabin & Caravan Park if you’re on a budget. They have free wifi and a garden. Plus they are walking distance to the Maria Island ferry, IGA grocery store, and restaurants.

Resort: Eastcoaster Tasmania

The Eastcoaster Tasmania resort is located right on the beach a 10-minute drive from Triabunna. They have everything you need on site including a pool, sauna, tennis court, fishing jetty, restaurant, and bar.

Vacation Rental: Orford Holiday House

The top-rated Orford Holiday House is located in Orford, 10 minutes away from Triabunna in a cute house. The open plan and large outdoor area is perfect for relaxing. The beach is just a five minute walk away.

What to Bring to Maria Island, Tasmania

There are absolutely no shops or restaurants on Maria Island so you will need to bring everything you think you’ll need with you. 

Maria Island Day Trip Packing List

• Snacks and lunch
• Water bottle (there is drinking water at Darlington campsite so you can refill your bottle)
• Camera
• Hiking boots or shoes
• Sun hat and sunscreen
• Rain jacket and warm clothing in case the weather turns bad
• Bathing suit and towel
• Backpack
• Rubbish bags – there are no bins on the island and you need to take all rubbish out with you
• Bike and helmet (optional)

Darling Penitentiary Packing List

Pack everything on the Maria Island day trip list, then add in:

• Bedding (pillow, sleeping bag or sheets and blankets)
• Flashlight/torch
• Food for all your meals and a cooler/esky
• Cooking pots, dishes, utensils, etc.
• Toiletries
• Change of clothes

Maria Island Camping Packing List

Bring the items on the day trip and penitentiary lists, plus:

• Tent
• Sleeping pad and sleeping bag
• Camping stove 
• Water filter or treatment (if staying at French’s Farm or Encampment Cove campgrounds)

Maria Island FAQ

Final Thoughts

I’m sure that you will want to add Maria Island to your bucket list. My overnight stay on Maria Island was one of the best things I did on my visit to Tasmania and I’m sure you’ll love it too. If you have questions about visiting Maria Island, Tasmania, let me know in the comments.

More Tasmania Posts:

• 22 Things to Do on the Tasman Peninsula Near Port Arthur
• How to Spend the Weekend in Hobart, Tasmania: 2-day Itinerary
• The Best Things to Do on Bruny Island, Tasmania
• The Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track in Tasmania
• Best Places to See Wildlife in Tasmania
• 40+ Things to do in Devonport and Tasmania’s North West
• The Ultimate Guide to the Tarkine Drive in Tasmania, Australia
• How to Hike in Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Tasmania
• The Best Things to do in Strahan and Tasmania’s West Coast

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I’m not a bike expert or super techy, so this review is for regular people who are thinking about getting an e-bike. If you are into detailed bike-nerd discussions of watts, amps, and gearing go check out one of the other RadMini Step-Thru reviews out there – you won’t find that here!

Instead I’ll focus on the import stuff like how the bike feels to ride, how easy it is to set up and maintain, if it works for me, and if I recommend it.

This review of the Rad Power RadMini Step-Thru includes:

• Why I decided to get an e-bike
• Pros and cons of the RadMini Step-Thru
• Run-down of the RadMini Step-Thru specs
• Differences between the RadMini Step-Thru and the recently introduced RadExpand 5
• Differences between the RadMini Step-Thru and the RadMini 4 Electric Folding Fat Bike
• A detailed review of the RadMini Step-Thru with sections for the motor, battery, frame, shifters, and lots more
• My answer to the question – Should you buy a Rad Power RadMini Step-Thru or a RadExpand?
• An e-bike FAQ section that includes why you should get an e-bike, how e-bikes work, where can you ride an e-bike, and more

Hey there: Thanks so much to Rad Power for providing me with a RadMini Step-Thru electric bike for me to review. All opinions in this post (including my belief that folding bikes aren’t great for most people) are my own. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Why Did I Get an E-Bike?

While I’m not the most avid cyclist, I do have a lot of experience with bikes.

I’ve been cross-country mountain biking on and off since I was six thanks to a dad who loved the sport, and I also dabble in casual road riding with friends.

When I lived in Vancouver, I commuted to work by bike every day for about four years. My route took me up and down some big hills, which was a great workout, but meant I had to change my clothes when I biked I got sweaty and chafed otherwise.

These days I live in Squamish, which is a small town and I work from home. I mountain bike a little bit and go out on the occasional road ride. But our house is up a big steeeeep hill from the rest of town so going for a casual ride to the grocery store feels like a big undertaking.

Since I got my Rad Power e-bike it’s been so much easier to pop down the hill for errands or head out to dinner without using our car. I can cruise around on the e-bike without getting sweaty or feeling like I’m getting a hardcore workout.

I’ve also noticed that I get out for a lot more fun “just because” bike rides now that I have an e-bike. I can wear my regular clothing since I don’t get sweaty, which makes it easier for me to ride my bike to dinner or to visit a friend. And if I keep the power low, I’m still getting exercise.

My husband Greg (an avid cyclist) even borrows my Rad Power e-bike sometimes to make his errands quicker or to carry more stuff.

I still ride my other bikes, but I find myself hopping on Betty (my RadMini) far more than my other bikes!

Pros and Cons of the Rad Power RadMini Step-Thru

While for the most part, I love my RadMini Step-Thru, there are a few things that are not as awesome. Here is a quick summary of the pros and cons:

Rad Power RadMini Step-Thru Specs

Here’s a quick run-down of the RadMini Step-Thru specs.

Rad Power RadMini Step-Thru vs. Rad Power RadExpand 5

I’ve had my RadMini for a couple of years. Recently, Rad Power discontinued the RadMini Step-Thru and replaced it with the RadExpand 5. For the most part, they are almost the same bike although the RadExpand 5 is $100 more. So if you’re thinking of getting a RadExpand 5, my RadMini Step-Thru review should be really helpful.

I’ve also included some key differences between the RadMini Step-Thru and RadExpand 5 in my review. In most cases, the RadExpand 5 actually improves upon the things that I didn’t love about the RadMini!

Rad Power RadMini Step-Thru vs. Rad Power RadMini 4 Electric Folding Fat Bike

The RadMini also used to come in a non-step-thru version called the RadMini Electric Folding Fat bike. It was very similar to the RadMini Step-Thru: It also folded, it had the same motor and battery, gears, etc. The only difference was that it was not a step-thru so it was harder to get on and off. It was also 2lbs lighter. The price was also the same.

This review is also really helpful if you’re considering getting the RadMini 4 Electric Folding Fat Bike so I also have highlighted some differences in my review.

My Rad Power RadMini Step-Thru Review

After riding this bike for several years, I have had time to really evaluate all the things I love about the RadMini, the things I don’t care about, and the things I would change. In this section, you’ll find my detailed opinion about each aspect of the bike.

Motor

The 500-watt geared hub motor has plenty of kick but still feels smooth when it starts up. (In Canada, e-bikes legally max out at 500 watts. The American version of this bike has 750 watts, which is the limit there.)

It has five power levels. Most of the time I ride on level 1 on the flats, which provides a little bit of pedal assist. The bike is heavy enough that I don’t like to use it without the pedal assist on. I use level 2 when I’m tired. For hills I use levels 3, 4, and 5, reserving level 5 for the steepest section since it eats up more battery.

Throttle

I had never considered the benefits of a throttle before I owned a bike with one. The RadMini Step-Thru has a twist-style throttle on the right handlebar, a bit like what you’d find on a motorcycle.

You can twist it to get a quick burst of power from the motor that overrides the pedal assist without you having to push any buttons or look at the display. That means the motor propels the bike without you having to pedal at all.

The throttle is by far my favourite feature of the bike. I love to use it to help me get started from a dead stop at traffic lights or on hills. I also love to use it when riding on the road because it means I can accelerate more quickly through an intersection away from traffic or when making a left turn. It makes me feel a lot safer.

It’s also great for short steep hills that creep up on you unexpectedly. I like to use the throttle for a few seconds instead of fussing with gears or power levels on the motor.

Display

The simple LCD display sits in the middle of the handlebars. It’s pretty big and easy to read. It has just three buttons on the left handlebar. I found it pretty straightforward to toggle through the menus and options. It also has a USB port if you want to charge your phone, which is a nice touch.

Battery

The battery mounts directly to the frame, so it feels secure and doesn’t rattle around at all. According to the specs, it gets up to 45 miles/72 km per charge. That lines up with my experience. I find that I need to charge the bike every third or fourth time that I ride it.

The display shows five bars of battery life, which diminish the more you ride. And of course, if you use higher levels of power assist, you run out of battery quicker. It flashes when you are close to running out, which happened to me recently on a big hill! Thankfully I was able to use less power and more muscle so I had enough battery to get home! I should have charged it before I rode that day – oops!

The battery locks to the bike frame for security and comes with keys. There are three positions: locked, locked to frame and powered off, and locked to frame and powered on. This is a helpful feature if you are worried about tampering or battery theft. You can also remove it entirely. Thankfully, that’s not a problem where I live, so I leave the battery locked to the bike and powered on.

Battery charging is really easy. It comes with a charging cable that plugs into a standard wall socket. I typically leave the battery attached to the bike and charge it in my garage. But you can also remove the battery from the bike and charge it elsewhere if you don’t have an outlet near where you store your bike.

According to Rad Power, it takes between 3 and 7 hours to charge an empty battery to totally full. In practice, I haven’t timed mine, but that sounds accurate.

Frame

The frame on this bike is really thick and sturdy. It feels really strong even though it has a step-thru design (more on that below) that folds (more on that too.)

It has a fat-bike style design but in a scaled-down size. The thick frame isn’t just for aesthetics – it helps the bike feel stiff for a folding bike and carry lots of weight – up to 275 lbs. If anything, I think the frame is a bit too burly as it makes the bike heavy. But it’s probably necessary to make the bike safe.

The frame is on the small size and Rad Power says it’s best for people between 4’10” and 5’10”. I’m 5’6″ and find it’s a good size for me, even though the upright cruiser-style position took some getting used to after years of riding a bike with drop bars.

The handlebars and seat are both adjustable to make it comfortable for riders of different heights. My 5’10” husband also finds that he can ride the bike in a pinch, but it does feel a tad small.

I often use the bike to run errands, which means I need to lock it up a lot. Unlike a traditional bike with a big central triangle in the frame, the RadMini is a bit of a challenge to lock up, especially if you are using a U-lock. I often use a sturdy chain lock which I pass between the rear wheel and the frame, but it’s a bit more awkward than locking up my other bikes.

RadMini 4 Electric Folding Fat Bike Difference: Since this bike isn’t a step-thru, it has a little bit of a central triangle that may make it a bit easier to lock up. It also is a bit bigger. Rad Power says it is best for riders 5’2″ to 6’2″.

Step-Thru Design

Before getting the RadMini Step-Thru I had only ridden a step-thru bike a handful of times – mostly on rental bikes when traveling in cities. I’m still so used to riding a conventional bike that I often reflexively swing my leg over the seat to mount the bike!

But the step-thru design is great since it is so easy to get on and off thanks to the really low stand-over height. It’s a really helpful feature if you have mobility challenges or like to bike in a skirt. (Especially when I remember I don’t need to swing my leg over the seat!).

RadMini 4 Electric Folding Fat Bike Difference: This bike is not a step-thru. While the RadMini Step-Thru and RadExpand 5 are step-thru with a standover height of 16″/41cm, this version has a standover height of 27.5″/70cm.

Folding Design

Some people love folding bikes because they are easier to store in small spaces or to bring with you in the trunk of your car or on the subway. In the case of the RadMini Step-Thru, it’s so heavy that you probably wouldn’t bring it folded up on the subway. And it might be hard to lift into the trunk of your car by yourself.

But folding it could be a great way to store it if you live in a small space. I have a garage so I don’t really need to use the folding feature but I did test it to see how it worked. The big hinge on the frame is easy to use and so is the one on the stem.

It’s helpful to look up the folding and unfolding instructions on Rad Power’s website. I found it a bit awkward to fold, but fairly straightforward. I’m a fairly strong person, but since it is heavy, I struggled to fold the bike and keep it upright at the same time. It is much easier if you have a second person to help you stabilize the bike.

Honestly, this is one feature I thought I might use sometimes, but never do.

RadMini 4 Electric Folding Fat Bike Difference: This bike folds very similarly to the RadMini Step-Thru and RadExpand 5. But the folding mechanism is a bit different and of course located on a different spot on the bike. From the reviews, folding it seems similar to what I experienced with the RadMini Step-Thru.

Suspension

The suspension on the front fork is pretty cushy which makes for a comfortable ride when combined with the fat tires. I’ve ridden my RadMini on lots of bumpy gravel roads and trails around Squamish and it is super comfortable and handles well.

It’s a much nicer ride than my road bike. And a few times I’ve been out for a ride on gravel roads with my husband on his full-suspension mountain bike and I feel I am just as comfortable on the bumps and potholes as he does.

RadExpand 5 Difference: The RadExpand 5 doesn’t have a suspension fork. Instead, it uses fatter and wider tires to cushion the ride. (More on that below.) This difference makes it a little lighter than the RadMini Step-Thru.

Fat Tires

The fat tires on the Rad Power RadMini are a strange size. They are 3.3″ wide, which is a bit skinnier than is standard for a fat bike. They have a small 20″ diameter, which is a lot smaller than the 26″ tires common full-size bikes.

But since they are still pretty fat, they provide lots of cushion and make the ride really smooth.

They have a slightly knobbly tread, which is great on gravel and dirt. So far, I’ve found them really comfortable to ride and despite the small size, they have managed to navigate over lots of big bumps without much trouble.

However, the tires can be a bit tricky to pump up as you have to get your pump nozzle between the spokes and around the motor. As well, the fat tires may not work with some car-mounted bike racks.

RadExpand 5 Difference: The RadExpand 5 has 4″ wide tires (standard for a fat bike) which provide a slightly cushier ride and make up for the bike’s lack of front suspension. They are still 20″ diameter.

RadMini 4 Electric Folding Fat Bike Difference: The non-step-thru version has 3″ tires which are a tiny bit narrower than on the RadMini Step-Thru.

Gearing and Shifters

The RadMini Step-Thru has seven speeds with fairly widely spaced gears(11-34 tooth), which for me makes both going up steep hills and going fast on the flats pretty easy. One of the hills near my house has a VERY steep section, and it’s no problem in the lowest gear with full power.

The large push button shifter is easy to use for going up in gears. You have to reach up for the lever for lower gears which is a bit less intuitive.

Brakes

Thankfully, the RadMini Step-Thru uses mechanical disc brakes, which have great stopping power. The bike is heavy and I ride down a lot of steep hills, so I want to make sure I can stop safely.

I also have disc brakes on my road bike and they are such an improvement over the older style rim brakes.

Handlebars and Grips

The bike comes with a wide and comfortable faux-leather seat and ergonomically shaped faux-leather grips. Since these are the two places that your body comes into the contact with the bike, they need to be comfortable – and they are.

The handlebars are adjustable in height to accommodate different riders. They also fold down for storage.

RadExpand 5 Difference: The RadExpand5 has slightly different handlebars which are more adjustable – they go both forward and backwards as well as up and down. This provides more riding positions and sounds like a great feature.

Seat

The wide seat is the same faux-leather as the grips. The seat also has a metal handle at the back, which I love. I often use it to grab the bike when I’m pulling it out of the garage or maneuvering it around a bike rack to lock it up.

Included Accessories

The RadMini comes with lots of included accessories, which is a great touch. It’s so annoying to get a new bike and then have to go looking for accessories that fit it.

The included kickstand is a must since the bike is quite heavy. I find it really easy to use with a flick of my left ankle.

The bike also comes with a low-profile bell already mounted on the handlebars. It’s so small that I didn’t realize it was there the first few times I rode the bike. However, it is surprisingly loud, which I appreciate, especially on multi-use paths.

Front and rear fenders are also included, which is great since they help keep mud and rain off my legs when I ride in bad weather. Having shopped for fenders for some of my other bikes, I also appreciate how hard it can be to get the right size and install them, so I’m really glad this bike came with them.

I also really love the integrated lights. You can turn the integrated headlamp up front on and off using the control panel. But my favourite feature is that the brake light at the back automatically turns on when you brake – just like a car!

RadExpand 5 Difference: The RadExpand5 comes with a rear rack!

Additional Accessories

Rad Power offers lots of extra accessories that you can purchase separately. So far I have the front rack and front-mounted basket. The racks are really sturdy, with thicker tubing than standard racks.

I’ve found the front rack and basket really handy for hauling small loads of groceries or doing errands. I also like to plunk my backpack in the basket to prevent getting a sweaty back. I use a few bungee cords from the hardware store to keep everything secure.

The front rack is mounted to the frame of the bike, rather than the wheel, which means that it doesn’t make the bike swing sideways or interfere with steering like wheel-mounted front racks.

I also recently added the phone mount on my handlebars. I’ve used other phone mounts before that felt fairly flimsy, but this one is super strong and holds well thanks to metal construction and a screw/clamp locking mechanism.

Rad Power also carries all kinds of bike bags and baskets to fit their racks as well helmets, locks, and accessories specific to their other bikes.

After-Market Accessories

While Rad Power makes tons of accessories for their bikes, sometimes they are out of stock. And some are a bit pricey.

I recently this after-market rear rack when the Rad Power one was out of stock. It fits great and feels really sturdy. The only issue was that I needed to get an extender cable for my rear light to mount properly.

You can find lots of after-market Rad Power accessories on Amazon or at bike shops. Read descriptions and reviews carefully to see if they will work with your bike.

Weight

There’s no way to sugar coat it – e-bikes are heavy, and this one is particularly heavy at 69 lbs (31 kg). However, it feels really sturdy for its weight. And the design means that center of gravity is low so the weight is easily manageable.

The weight of the bike makes it a bit of a challenge to lift and maneuever, especially for people who aren’t that strong. This could make it difficult to carry up stairs or lift onto a car-mounted bike rack, but having another person will solve that problem. (Heads up: check the max weight of your bike rack. Some lightweight models won’t be up to carrying this bike.)

You can also take the battery off the bike to make it a bit lighter to lift. By itself, the battery weighs 7.7 lb/3.5 kg.

RadExpand 5 Difference: The RadExpand 5 weighs 62.5 lbs (28.3 kg). The weight savings comes from changing to a rigid fork from a suspension fork. In the grand scheme of things, it’s a small weight savings (4.5 lb/2 kg) on such a heavy bike. But hey: every little bit helps!

RadMini 4 Electric Folding Fat Bike Difference: The RadMini Electric Folding Fat Bike weighs 67 lbs (30 kg) which is slightly less than the RadMini Step-Thru. The difference comes from the different frame design that doesn’t need to be as burly and stiff.

Assembly and Set-up

In some cities, you can go to a Rad Power store and buy a fully-assembled bike. If you live near a large city you may also be able to have your bike delivered to you fully-assembled for a fee.

But most Rad Power owners receive their bikes via courier in a box. You then assemble it yourself. That’s what I did.

The bike comes in a big box mostly assembled, you just have to do a few things yourself. Rad Power has great videos that walk you through the assembly process. It also comes with a set of tools and a manual.

I had intended to put the bike together myself, but my husband “surprised” me by doing it for me. It took him less than an hour and was so quick that I didn’t even realize that’s what he was working on in the garage.

The assembly doesn’t require that much mechanical know-how. You just have to unfold the stem, attach the handlebars, attach the front wheel, install the pedals, attach the front fender, attach the headlight, and secure the rear fender. Finish by pumping up the tires, adjusting the seat, and turning on the battery.

Reliability and Maintenance

I’ve owned this bike for a couple of years and it has required really minimal maintenance. It is designed to be fairly reliable with user-maintainable parts.

We pumped up the tires in the spring after the bike sat for a few months over the winter. The gears also didn’t shift that well for a little bit, but it was an easy fix – just one knob to turn on the derailleur. (Rad Power has great instructions and a video on their website.)

One thing to note is that the tires are an uncommon size so if you need to replace a tube, you will likely have to order one (my bike local shop ordered one for me). You won’t find them in stock anywhere.

Value

After looking at a bunch of other e-bikes on the market, I think the RadMini (and RadExpand 5) are great value.

For the price ($1499USD/$1799 CAD for the RadMini Step-Thru or Electric Folding Fat Bike; $1599USD/$1849 CAD for the RadExpand 5) you get a great bike that is easy to use and set-up. It also comes with fenders, and in the case of the RadExpand 5, a rear rack too, which is great because each of those are about $100 if you buy them separately.

Should You Buy a Rad Power RadMini Step-Thru, RadMini Electric Folding Fat Bike or RadExpand 5?

Overall, I think the Rad Power RadMini Step-Thru is a great e-bike. I’m really happy with it and think it provides great performance. It’s also really user-friendly, which I think is important since e-bikes can be very daunting with all kinds of electronics to consider.

E-bikes can also be really expensive and I think that Rad Power has really nailed it with their bikes, providing great basic bikes that work well at a fairly affordable price. They are some of the least expensive e-bikes on the market for their value.

I would definitely recommend Rad Power bikes to anyone interested in an electric bike. However, I don’t think a folding bike is a great choice for most people since you likely won’t ever fold it.

Instead, I recommend you check out the RadRunner Plus, which is really similar to the RadMini and RadExpand 5 but doesn’t fold. The RadRunner Plus is super customizable and comes with a rear rack. It is a bit more expensive though…

So I guess the solution if you’re looking to save a bit of money is to get the RadExpand 5 and just never fold it – that’s what I do with my RadMini Step-Thru 🙂

You may have noticed at the beginning of this post that I received this bike from Rad Power in exchange for a review. After riding it for nine months, I have to say that I can’t imagine my life without an e-bike, and if I didn’t already own one, I would definitely buy one. And I can also honestly say I would buy a Rad Power e-bike, probably the RadRunner Plus.

E-bike FAQ

Why get an e-bike?

There are lots of reasons to get an e-bike. For a long time, “serious” cyclists considered electric bikes to be “cheating”, which honestly is a bit ridiculous. Thankfully, that is changing.

E-bikes are great for older and less fit people since they make biking accessible for more people. And I don’t have to tell you that biking is fun, great low-impact exercise, and an alternative to vehicles.

But even if you are young and in good shape, e-bikes are great. You can go faster. You sweat less. And you can carry more cargo with less effort. As well, the pedal-assist boost means you can go further in a day than you would without it since you are expending less energy.

For many people, e-bikes replace a car trip in some situations. As I said, I live at the top of a hill, about 2 km from the nearest store. That means a quick errand run is a long and sweaty undertaking by bike, so I usually drove. But since I’ve had my RadMini, I’ve done way more errands by bike.

How do e-bikes work? Do I have to pedal?

E-bikes use a motor powered by a battery. You can turn the motor off and use the bike just like a regular non-electric bike.

With the motor on, some types of e-bikes provide extra power only when you are pedaling. This is called pedal-assist. By law, e-bikes stop providing motor assistance over a certain speed, (20 mph/32 kph). Bikes like these are Class 1 e-bikes.

Some e-bikes have a throttle that you can use to propel the bike forward without pedaling in addition to having pedal assist. These are known as Class 2 e-bikes. Typically, you use the throttle in short bursts to help you up a short hill or to get started after you stop. While you don’t have to pedal on this type of e-bike, in practice you will spend at least some of the time pedaling. The Rad Power RadMini and RadExpand are both Class 2 e-bikes.

There are also Class 3 e-bikes that can go up to 28mph/45kph and must have a speedometer. They don’t have a throttle so you do have to pedal. These are not very common.

There are also various types of electric scooters or mopeds that look a bit like bikes. You don’t have to pedal on those, but depending on your jurisdiction, you may need a drivers or motorcycle license.

How fast can e-bikes go?

Most e-bikes provide pedal assist up to 20mph/32kph. After that, the motor turns off. You can still keep pedaling without the motor, so you might be able to get the bike to go a bit faster than that. And of course, you can coast downhill pretty fast.

Many e-bikes have a speedometer on the digital display. That means that you can see how fast you are going all the time.

Where can you ride an e-bike? Do you need a driver’s license?

Check laws in your state or province to be sure, but most jurisdictions consider e-bikes to be just like regular bikes. That means you don’t need a driver’s licence to ride one. However, in many states or provinces, there is a minimum age – usually between 14 and 18.

In most places, trails and roads open to regular bikes are also open to e-bikes. But check local laws to be sure as some places don’t allow e-bikes on shared use paths or in parks.

What to look for in an e-bike?

Different people will want different things in an e-bike. But if you’re considering an electric bike for the same reasons I got one (to run errands and make your bike trips around town a little easier), there are a few things to look for in an electric bike.

• The type of bike – There are tons out there including mountain bikes and super fast road bikes. I think most people will be happy with a utility bike like the RadMini or a hybrid bike meant for cities.
• The dealer – Buy from a bike shop that specializes in e-bikes and has a good reputation.
• The price – You don’t need a super-expensive electric mountain bike. And you can buy a super cheap e-bike on Amazon… but it will probably break. Look for good value.
• Reliability and maintenance – With the motor and battery, there are more things to service on an e-bike. Choose one that is reliable and easy to user-maintain.
• Power and battery range – Consider where you typically ride. If you don’t have steep hills or bike long distances, maybe you don’t need to spend money on a bike with lots of power and a long battery range. (And can save some weight along with money!)

Why did I choose a Rad Power e-bike?

I had heard great things about Rad Power from other e-bike owners. They are based in Seattle and have a store in Vancouver, both of which are a few hours from where I live in Squamish, so their bikes are fairly common here.

I liked that they specialized in making electric bikes and were focused on making biking accessible to more people. A lot of bike companies get caught up in trends and hype, which usually isn’t helpful for everyday life. I liked that the Rad Power bikes were designed for regular people who wanted a bike to cruise around town or do errands – because that’s what most people are using e-bikes for.

When I dug into reviews on Rad Power bikes, riders praise their affordability and reliability – two things that were really important to me.

So that’s my review of the Rad Power RadMini Step-Thru, which is also kind of a review of the Rad Power RadExpand 5 and Rad Power RadMini Electric Folding Fat Bike too! If you’re thinking of getting an electric bike or you have questions, hit me up in the comments. I’m happy to help.

READ NEXT:

• How to Cycle Tour the Natchez Trace Parkway
• Explore Wineries in Summerland, BC by Bike

The post Rad Power RadMini Step-Thru Electric Bike Review appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I haven’t been to a Hollywood movie in years, but I always go to the theatre to see adventure films. For the last few years, I’ve been volunteering at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival. And my husband is a volunteer pre-screener for the festival, so that means we watch a LOT of films at home ahead of time, and then even more at the festival. I’ve seen SO many outdoor films.

So it seemed like the right time to concoct my own little film festival, online of course. I want to celebrate women in adventure films since even now, they don’t get enough press. I first saw most of these films as part of film festivals, but I also hunted down many others online. All of these women’s adventure films are available for online streaming. Most of them are free, but a few are available for digital purchase or rental. 

In this list of over 80 female adventure films, you’ll find some of my favourites. I’ve tried my best to provide diverse films that represent several outdoor sports and athletes of different abilities, ethnicities, and career trajectories. You’ll find both classic clips of athletes shredding hard and heart-wrenchingly emotional personal journeys. And everything in between.

Note: Unfortunately, about 70% of these films don’t have closed captions. It looks like the adventure film world still has some steps to take to achieve inclusivity for all viewers. I’ve included “CC” next to the films that do have captions.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

General Women’s Outdoor Adventure Films 

Where the Wild Things Play

2017, 4 minutes, CC

This short film from adventure photographer Krystle Wright is an homage to badass, adventure women, set to an amazing song. Watch on Youtube

Where the Wild Things Keep Playing

2019, 4 minutes, 

Krystle Wright’s follow-up to Where the Wild Things Play features more women doing rad stuff outdoors and another great soundtrack. Watch on Youtube

Being Here

2016, 5 minutes

Hilary Oliver, the director and writer of this short film, is one of my favourite outdoor writers. The film juxtaposes her beautiful words with scenes of outdoor women to help us remember how wild places make us feel. Watch on Youtube

My Mom Vala

2018, 10 minutes

This cute women’s adventure film follows the Icelandic family of Vala Árnadóttir and her daughter Mathilda. Vala balances time being a mom and her work as a fly fishing guide in Greenland. Vala knows she can do it on her own, and that’s what she wants to teach Mathilda too. Watch on Youtube 

The Motivator

2018, 4 minutes, CC

This film celebrates filmmaker Aaron Hitchins’ mom, Maureen. She’s an active woman, and her example is what motivated Hitchins to build a life connected to the outdoors. Watch on Youtube

The Shepherdess

2019, 6 minutes

The impact of extreme drought on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico is devastating. It threatens their traditional way of life. This short film about a Navajo shepherdess shows us how to find beauty and lessons and perseverance in a tough situation. Watch on Vimeo

Heart of the Valley

2017, 7 minutes, CC

This film follows Giulia Delladio, who lives in the Val di Fiemme valley in northern Italy. She is the first woman and fourth generation to run the family-owned business, the outdoor brand LaSportiva. Watch on Youtube

Okpilik

2019, 4 minutes

Mary Kudlak, an Inuit elder, talks about fishing in Okpilik Lake near Ulukhaktok in Canada’s North West Territories. This film is part of the Inuit Nunangat Taimannganit video project to record and share the stories of the Inuit people. Watch on Youtube

Chasing a Trace

2019, 20 minutes

Wolverines are one of North America’s most elusive animals. And one of the most tenacious. This film follows wildlife scientist Mirjam Barrueto as she explores the remote mountains of British Columbia to collect data about wolverine behaviour. Watch on Youtube

Home

2019, 91 minutes

Follow Sarah Outen on her four-year-long human-powered journey around the world by bike, kayak, and rowboat. It’s an emotional and inspirational film. Watch on Vimeo

A Walk in the Park

2017, 10 minutes, CC

Jackson, Wyoming local Kelly Halpin is an artist and athlete. This film tells the story of her attempt at the Picnic, a mountain triathlon in Grand Teton National Park. You start in town, bike 23 miles, swim 1.3 miles, hike and climb 6,000 feet, then turn around and it all in reverse. Watch on Youtube

Venturous Voices

2017, 24 minutes, CC

This short film follows four female entrepreneurs in the outdoor industry. Find out what happens when you take what you love and make it your business. Watch on Youtube

Facing Sunrise

2018, 9 minutes, CC

Azzah lives in Vancouver and is going through a rough time in her life. As a city girl, she doesn’t have outdoor experience, but a pivotal hike helps her realize that she is capable of more than she thinks. Watch on MEC

To Return

2019, 6 minutes

Virtual reality seems like the ideal technology to capture the outdoors. This short film features the words and artistry of figure skater Laura Kottlowski as she skates on remote lakes in the Rocky Mountains. The film is best viewed with a headset, but you can also use Google Cardboard or just click around your computer screen to see the whole view. Watch on Youtube

Women’s Watersports Films

Losing Sight of Shore

2017, 91 minutes, CC

In this film, four women set out to row the Pacific Ocean from the US to Australia, unsupported. It’s a physically and mentally challenging nine-month journey. Watch on Amazon

Into the Sea

2015, 52 minutes

This documentary tells the story of introducing surfing to women in Iran. Irish pro surfer Easky travels to Iran to help Iranian pro snowboarder Mona and Iranian diver Shalha learn to surf. Watch on Vimeo

Maidentrip

2014, 81 minutes, CC

Fourteen-year-old Laura Dekker went on a two-year voyage to try to be the youngest person to sail around the world alone. This documentary follows her sometimes controversial journey. Watch on Amazon

Rainbow Dive

2019, 26 minutes

Head to the Australian Outback with world champion cliff diver Rhiannan Iffland. She connects with the land, the local indigenous people, and ultimately, herself. Watch on Redbull TV

Chasing the Sublime

2018, 7 minutes

This beautiful film tells the story of Kate Rew and Kari Furre, the founders of The Outdoor Swimming Society. They take on cold water swimming adventures in stunning locations all over the UK. Watch on Vimeo

The Olin Sisters

2018, 7 minutes

Take a look into the lives of the Olin sisters, teenage professional surfers from Tofino, British Columbia. They spend countless challenging hours training and competing, but their love for the sport makes it look incredibly fun. Watch on Vimeo

The Ladakh Project

2019, 14 minutes

Pro whitewater kayaker Nouria Newman takes on a one-week solo expedition on three rivers in the Indian Himalayas. She shot the entire film herself while braving incredibly rough waters days from rescue. Watch on Redbull TV

Women’s Biking Films

Blood Road

2017, 95 minutes, CC

Not just another mountain biking film, this one has heart. Follow pro Rebecca Rusch as she pedals along the Ho Chi Minh Trail through Vietnam, looking for the site where her father was shot down 40 years earlier. I think this is one of the best women’s adventure films out there. Watch on Redbull TV

Afghan Cycles

2019, 88 minutes, CC

This feature-length documentary explores how women in Afghanistan are using bikes as a way to create empowerment and social change. Watch on Amazon

Moksha

2018, 22 minutes

Moksha is the story of three Nepali women who are at the forefront of the emerging female mountain biking scene in the Himalayas. The film follows them as they compete in races, become certified mountain bike guides and inspire other Nepali women to start mountain biking. Watch on Vimeo

Blue

2019, 4 minutes

A beautiful short film about female fat bikers exploring the ice and snow of Valdez, Alaska. Watch on Youtube

Life of Pie

2019, 11 minutes

Married couple Jen Zeuner and Anne Keller are creating community and inclusivity through pizza and mountain biking. This cute short film explores their conservative community of Fruita, Colorado and how their influence is changing it.  Watch on Vimeo

Do Better Together

2019, 7 minutes, CC

Ayesha McGowan wants to become a pro cyclist. But when she looks for role models, she only finds white men. This film follows her journey to become the first African-American pro cyclist while advocating for inclusivity and diversity. Watch on Youtube

Perspectives: India

2018, 5 minutes

Artist and pro mountain biker Micayla Gatto pedals through the chaotic cities and gorgeous mountains of India. The cinematography in this short film is strikingly beautiful.  Watch on Youtube

Fast Forward

2016, 8 minutes, CC

This film follows bikepacker Lael Wilcox as she takes on a self-supported race on the 800-mile long Arizona Trail in 2015. Lael is a force in long-distance cycling, setting records on races across America. Watch on Youtube

Women of Dirt

2010, 60 minutes

This is one of the first films ever made about women’s mountain biking, which is crazy since it’s only 10 years old. It follows a group of female bikers who were at the forefront of their sport at the time for downhill racing, dirt jumping and freeriding. Watch on Youtube 

If She Can Do It

2012, 34 minutes

The sequel to Women of Dirt, this film follows female mountain bikers at the Sugar Showdown, a women’s freeride mountain biking event. The film shows the community and camaraderie of women in a male-dominated sport. Watch on Youtube

Women’s Ski and Snowboard Films

This Mountain Life

2019, 77 minutes, CC

Watch this documentary just for the beautiful footage of the skiing nun. This Mountain Life is mostly the story of mother-daughter team Tania and Martina Halik as they attempt to ski from Vancouver to Alaska through British Columbia’s coast mountains. But the stories of several other mountain people are interwoven into it, including artists, photographers, and that photogenic nun. This is definitely one of my favourite women’s adventure films. Watch on Amazon. Canadians can also watch on the Knowledge Network App

All in

2018, 59 minutes, CC

Shot in 4K, this film is stunningly beautiful. The all-female cast of skiers wants to disrupt the male-dominated ski film formula and create their own legendary ski film. Watch on Redbull TV 

Follow Through

2017, 22 minutes, CC

Diminutive backcountry skier Caroline Gleich sets out to ski the 90 challenging ski mountaineering lines across Utah’s Wasatch Mountains. This film follows her journey to complete the challenge and to gain the respect she deserves. Watch on Youtube

Rise: 20 Years of Kelly Clark

2019, 6 minutes, CC

Pro snowboarder Kelly Clark is one of the winningest athletes of all time. This short film celebrates her life and career. Watch on Youtube

Shades of Winter: Couples

2018, 14 minutes

Pro skiers Janina Kuzma, Sandra Lahnsteiner, and Julia Mancuso experience the thrill and danger of heliskiing in British Columbia. But this time they bring their spouses along to share the stoke (and see if they can keep up). Watch on Youtube

The Ride

2018, 9 minutes

Ebbie Hansen competes in an uncommon (and pretty crazy) sport: skijoring. It’s a bit like waterskiing, except on snow. And instead of a boat, there’s a horse and Ebbie rides it. Follow Ebbie’s quest to claim her third National Championship in skijoring. Watch on Vimeo

Dream Job

2019, 15 minutes

In this hilarious film, Katie, a ski industry marketer, takes a close look at how fun it actually is to be a pro skier, a pro backcountry skier, or a ski guide. Guaranteed to make you smile. Watch on Youtube

Kindred

2018, 10 minutes

Izzy and Zoya Lynch grew up in a backcountry ski lodge in the Canadian Rockies. In this sweet film, they tell their family’s story through archival photos and beautifully shot contemporary interviews. Watch on Youtube

The Uninvited

2018, 28 minutes

This film is billed as featuring a group of up and coming female snowboarders with bigger hearts than budgets. It has an old school indie feel. And of course lots of sick tricks.  Watch on Vimeo

Super Mom

2014, 10 minutes, CC

Wendy Fisher used to dominate the big mountain freeskiing scene. But then she had kids. In this film, she wants to see if she’s still got it a decade after “retiring”. Watch on Youtube 

Shades of Winter: Between 

2016, 96 minutes, CC

Follow a group of female skiers and surfers on a trip around the world. The film celebrates their sports, the journey they are on, and the moments in between. Watch on Redbull TV

The Icey Ladies

2014, 12 minutes

In 2012 Annelise Loevlie put together a group of women to travel to Chile to compete in the 2nd annual Eye of the Condor ski, photo, and video competition. During the competition, each team of 4 skiers, 1 videographer and 1 photographer has 5 days to shoot and edit a ski film and photo portfolio. This is the film her team made. Watch on Vimeo

A Land Shaped by Women

2018, 52 minutes, CC

Pro snowboarders Anne-Flore Marxer and Aline Bock have been fighting for gender parity in their sport. So they spend the winter riding in Iceland, the world’s number one ranked nation for gender equality. Watch on Redbull TV

Listen to the Eyes

2018, 16 minutes

Female riders on the Vans Snowboard team shred in the Pacific Northwest in this short film. Shot entirely on Kodak 16mm film, it has a fun retro feel and a great soundtrack. Watch on Youtube

Evolution of Dreams

2019, 26 minutes

Eva Walker and Jackie Paaso were downhill skiers. But when their passion for competition faded, their dream evolved into big mountain skiing and ski mountaineering. Watch on Youtube

Shaped by the Wild

2019, 5 minutes

Pro skier Christina Lustenberger has competed at the Olympics, but the wildness of British Columbia’s mountains is where she feels most at home, and where she feels she skis the best. Watch on Youtube

Women’s Rock Climbing Films

Women are Mountains

2018, 15 minutes

Brazilian climbers Mônica Filipini and Danielle Pinto balance their passion for the mountains with their family responsibilities at home. The mountains are their happy place and climbing is their active meditation. Watch on Vimeo

Within Reach

2017, 12 minutes, CC

This short film is about women who rock climb and the origins of the Women’s Climbing Festival. But it’s about a lot more than that. It’s about the culture of rock climbing and the outdoors and the ways that women and other groups are marginalized within that culture. Watch on Youtube

Spice Girl

2014, 22 minutes, CC

For decades British climbers were strictly traditional, super-competitive, and definitely macho. But Hazel Findlay is changing the face of British climbing as she sends it as hard as the men. Watch on Redbull TV

Mama

2017, 44 minutes, CC

Kinga Ociepka-Grzegulska is a Polish climber who wants to show the world that she can do it all: rock climb at a world-class level and be a mother to her two kids. Watch on Amazon

Obe and Ashima

2012, 22 minutes, CC

Ashima Shiraishi was only nine when this film was shot. But the New York City native is a rock climbing prodigy. Her coach, Obe Carrion was a prodigy himself and wants to find redemption by teaching Ashima what he couldn’t learn himself. Watch on Redbull TV

Creek Sessions

2018, 7 minutes

Jess Kilroy is a musician and climber. She records nature sounds and incorporates them into her compositions. This film follows Jess as she creates music and climbs in Utah’s Indian Creek. Watch on Vimeo

Dead Last

2019, 9 minutes

Kaitlin Heatherly opens the film by declaring that she placed last in a World Championships climbing competition and she is f@#%ing stoked about it. Born without the lower part of her left arm, she discovered rock climbing as an adult. And 5 months later, she started competing in paraclimbing. This short film tells her story.Watch on Youtube

Operation Moffat

2016, 23 minutes, CC

Gwen Moffat redefined what women can achieve in the mountains as Britain’s first female mountain guide. Writer and climber Claire Carter follows in her footsteps as she attempts to ascend the same routes as Gwen. Watch on Redbull TV

If I Can

2019, 5 minutes

Anoushé Husain is a British paraclimber who has competed at the national level in indoor climbing. In this film, she takes on her toughest challenge yet: learning to climb outdoors.  Watch on Youtube

Brette: A Year on the Road

2016, 20 minutes

Follow up-and-coming climber Brette Harrington as she climbs in Canada, at El Capitan in Yosemite and free solos in Patagonia. Watch on Redbull TV

Free Flow

2019, 4 minutes

Climber Hazel Findlay runs out her front door, into the mountains of Wales to go climbing. This stunning film features some beautiful scenery and some incredible free soloing from Hazel. Watch on Youtube

China Doll

2017, 20 minutes

Heather Weidner became the first woman to climb a 5.14 trad route called China Doll in Colorado. This film tells the story of her climb and explores the pervasive nature of unconscious gender roles. Watch on Youtube

Speak to Me Softly

2019, 6 minutes

Like all of us, Jenny Abegg experiences self-criticism and doubt. But Jenny fights through it while climbing. This film is an honest look at what is happening inside a climber’s head while they are on a route. Watch on Youtube

Break on Through

2018, 29 minutes, CC

Margo Hayes is on a quest to be the first woman to climb a 5.15 rated route. This film follows her as she attempts La Rambla in Spain and Biographie in France. Watch on Redbull TV

Young Guns Part 1 and 2

2016, 25 minutes and 23 minutes, CC

Teenage climbers Kai Lightner and Ashima Shiraishi are climbing prodigies. In this two-part series, the young climbers, who are most at home in the gym, travel to Norway and Japan to take on some tough outdoor climbs.  Watch on Redbull TV: Part 1 and Part 2

Women’s Running Films

Running for Good

2018, 74 minutes

This film follows marathon runner Fiona Oakes as she attempts to complete the toughest race on earth, the Marathon des Sables. It’s a 250km race through the Sahara Desert.  Watch on Vimeo

The Mirnavator

2017, 11 minutes, CC

Ultrarunner Mirna Valerio doesn’t look like most trail runners. She’s female, black, and fat. But she’s still out there, crushing big miles. This inspiring short film shows how Mirna has persevered in the face of many obstacles. (Want more of Mirna? Her memoir is on my list of the Best Women’s Adventure Books.) Watch on Youtube

Par for the Course

2019, 4 minutes

This film follows unconventional ultra-runner Mirna Valerio as she takes on her first-ever high altitude race at the Broken Arrow Skyrace in Squaw Valley, California. Watch on Youtube

Frosty

2019, 15 minutes

Anna Frost is an elite ultra-runner at the highest level. But she values connection and community over competition, especially as she starts a new chapter of her life: motherhood. Watch on Youtube

Changing Course

2017, 8 minutes

Clare Gallagher was going to go to medical school, but she realized it wouldn’t make her happy. So she changed course and discovered that she could make a career out of ultrarunning.  Watch on Youtube

This Land

2019, 10 minutes

Faith E. Briggs didn’t use to think of herself as an activist. She just thought of herself as a runner. But with public lands under threat, she teams up with locals to run 150 miles through three U.S. National Monuments. This film is about access to recreational land, inclusion, and empowerment. Watch on Youtube 

Mira Rai

2019, 12 minutes

Mira Rai is an up and coming trail runner from Nepal, despite not knowing that trail running was a sport just 18 months before winning the prestigious Mont-Blanc marathon. This short film tells Mira Rai’s story… so far. Watch on Youtube

Aziza

2018, 7 minutes

Aziza is an ultrarunner from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Despite social and cultural challenges, she finds time to train and is a role model for other female athletes in her home country. Watch on Vimeo

Ramsay’s Round

2018, 21 minutes

Ramsay’s Round is a Scottish running challenge. In 24 hours, participants have to run up and down 24 peaks, gaining 280,000 feet in the process. Only 99 people have completed the challenge, and of those 99, only four were women. America ultra runner Alicia Hudelson attempts to be the fifth. Watch on Vimeo

The Source

2019, 39 minutes

Courtney Dauwalter is a force to be reckoned with. She’s a high-level ultra-runner who regularly wins long-distance races, often beating the men as well. This documentary explores what makes Courtney so successful. Watch on Youtube

Batgirl

2019, 11 minutes

Rhonda-Marie Avery is known as Batgirl since she is legally blind, has no depth perception, and has no daytime vision. She actually sees better at night. She wants to break down the barriers she faced as a child. So she runs ultramarathons. Watch on Youtube

Women’s Mountaineering Films

Liv Along the Way

2018, 22 minutes, CC

Liv Sansoz makes her life in the mountains climbing, ski mountaineering, and base jumping. In 2017 she set out to climb all 82 of the 4000m peaks in the European Alps in a single year. She also added the extra challenge of not using any ski lifts. Watch on Youtube 

Harper, Mannering and Ross Challenge

2017, 11 minutes

As president of the New Zealand Alpine Club, Penny Brothers challenged local climbers to visit features named after club founders to celebrate the clubs 125th anniversary. She only discovered how difficult this was on her own nine-day expedition through the Southern Alps in New Zealand’s Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Watch on Youtube

Lhotse

2019, 23 minutes

Mountaineer Hilaree Nelson and her partner Jim Morrison completed the first ski descent of Lhotse in 2018. It’s a 27,940-foot peak in the Himalayas and the fourth-highest mountain in the world. This film tells their story. Watch on Youtube

A Woman’s Epic Journey to Climb 7 Mountains

2016, 13 minutes

National Geographic Explorer Wasfia Nazreen wanted to show the world how much women from Bangladesh had accomplished. So, she decided to climb the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each continent. And she shot this short film entirely on her iPhone. Watch on Youtube

I Am Here

2018, 7 minutes, CC

As the children of Mexican immigrants, Yesenia didn’t realize that the outdoors were an option for her. This film follows her journey to climb Washington’s Mount St. Helens and inspire other Latinx immigrants to enjoy the outdoors too. Watch on Youtube

Aconcagua: A New Chance

2016, 46 minutes, CC

Ultramarathoner Fernanda Maciel wants to become the first woman to climb up and down Aconcagua in a single day. It’s one of the highest mountains on Earth and the highest summit in South America. Watch on Redbull TV

With over 80 movies on this list, you could spend over 33 hours just watching women’s adventure films! Which ones were your favourites? Tell me in the comments. 

READ NEXT:

• 20 Women’s Adventure Books That Will Inspire You
• The Best Canadian Adventure Books
• Want to learn more about women’s outdoor gear? Read these guides to the best outdoor clothing for women, where to find women’s plus size hiking clothes, and the best outdoor gear for women. And then read my opinion about whether women’s specific gear is actually worth it, or if you can just buy unisex. 

The post 80+ Women’s Adventure Films You Can Stream appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

In the last few years I’ve taken two trips to Revelstoke and was surprised at how much I fell in love with the town. (It even made my list of the best weekend getaways from Vancouver and the best small towns in Canada for outdoor adventures.) Honestly, I even looked at real estate listings (just for fun… I think?)

I had a pretty busy schedule on both of my trips to Revelstoke and did A LOT but I still didn’t manage to see everything. So here’s my big list of 15 things to do in Revelstoke in the summer. I’ve done most of these things but a few will have to wait until next time. (Because there’s definitely going to be a next time!)

Hey there: Thanks so much to Tourism Revelstoke for hosting me in Revelstoke. All opinions in this post are my own. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Revelstoke Basics

What’s with the name? Disappointingly, Revelstoke’s name doesn’t have anything to do with stoking revelry. When the railway across Canada was being built in the 1880s, the Canadian Pacific Railway was nearly bankrupt. Lord Revelstoke, a British banker, invested in the railway and saved the company. So they named the town after him! (Previously, the town was called Farwell after a local man who settled in the area.) Revelstoke has lots of nicknames including “Revy”, “The Stoke” and “Revelstuck” since winter snows can close the roads out of town.

Location: Revelstoke is located in eastern British Columbia, Canada. It’s on the banks of the Columbia River at 480m above sea level. Revelstoke is in a river valley between the Monashee and Selkirk Mountain ranges. The Rocky Mountains are about 100km to the east. Revelstoke is in the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, Secwepemc, Sinixt, and Okanagan First Nations.

How to Get to Revelstoke: Revelstoke is on highway 1. It’s a 6-hour drive from Vancouver in the west or 4.5 hours from Calgary in the east. Revelstoke has an airport, but it only has charter flights. The closest major airport is in Kelowna where you can get a shuttle van to Revelstoke that takes about 2.5 hours. Revelstoke also makes a great stop on a road trip across Canada.

Revelstoke Weather: Revelstoke has a mountain climate.  Summer temperatures are typically highs of 23-25C and lows of 11C. July and August are the driest months, but Revelstoke has a wetter climate than the nearby Rocky Mountains so it can still have some rainy days in summer.

Population: Officially, Revelstoke has a population of about 7,000 people. However, locals are proud to tell you that cell phone usage data shows that the town has about 14,000 residents in winter.

Revelstoke Map: I made a custom Revelstoke google map for you that includes every single place I mentioned in this post. Click on it to zoom in.

Summer Things to do in Revelstoke

Drive the Meadows in the Sky Parkway

This scenic Mountains in the Sky Parkway inside Mount Revelstoke National Park provides great views with little effort. In the summer, the roadsides and summit area are carpeted with wildflowers. The best time to see the flowers is late July and early August. Be sure to stop at the roadside pullouts for great views of Revelstoke and the surrounding mountains.

The road climbs 1,365m over 26km of switchbacks to Balsam Lake at 1,835m. From here you can take a free shuttle bus to the summit, or hike the 1-kilometre-long Upper Summit Trail. At the top, there are several viewpoints, plus a historic fire lookout. For the best wildflower displays, visit in mid-August. The flowers are spectacular!

Soak in Hot Springs

Western Canada is home to tons of natural hot springs. A few of them are a couple hours drive from Revelstoke. On my recent trip, I soaked in Halfway River Hot Springs. It’s an undeveloped hot spring in a beautiful natural setting. To get there you need to drive 11km up a logging road, then hike 1km down a steep trail. The hot springs are next to a rushing river in gorgeous rock-lined pools.

We also popped in to Halcyon Hot Springs, a spa-like springs, but didn’t have time to go in the pools. There are also a few others hots springs near Revelstoke that I haven’t had a chance to visit yet: Canyon Hot Springs, Crazy Creek Hot Pools, and Nakusp Hot Springs. (I’ve got a whole post about all the hot springs in Canada if you want to visit more springs.)

If you’re on a budget or don’t have time to drive to a hot spring, head to the Revelstoke Aquatic Centre. It was closed for annual maintenance when I was there, but it looks giant! It has a huge pool, a hot tub, a water slide, and a lazy river.

Go for a Hike

On my most recent visit, I dedicated a week to hiking near Revelstoke. I managed to fit in over a dozen hikes from easy to challenging. I walked trails near town, and drove to Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Mount Revelstoke National Park, and Glacier National Park. If you want all the insider info about the hiking in Revelstoke, I’ve got a whole post for you! Check out my guide to the best hikes in Revelstoke. 

Experience the Alpine on the Revelstoke Mountain Resort Gondola

Revelstoke Mountain Resort has the highest vertical drop of any ski resort in North America, at 1,713m. In the summer, you can ride their gondolas up the side of Mount Mackenzie for great views and lift-accessed hiking. Be sure to check out the Glacier View and Revelstoke View lookouts near the top of the Revelation Gondola. The Revelstoke View lookout has an especially great view of the town. I recommend hiking further up the mountain for even better views. All the details are in my guide to the best hikes in Revelstoke. 

Ride the Pipe Mountain Coaster

Opened in 2016, the Pipe Mountain Coaster is consistently rated as the #1 thing to do in Revelstoke. I’d seen photos of it online, but it wasn’t until I rode it, that I truly understood what it was all about. In short: it’s a rollercoaster! You sit strapped inside a one-person cart attached to a monorail-like track. (Hence the “pipe” in the name.) When it’s your turn, you are launched down the 1.2km long track. You can control your speed with an onboard brake, but if you want to go fast, the carts top out at 42km/h! The track has tons of twists and turns so it feels a bit like a wild mouse style coaster. At one point, I even got a little bit of air out of my seat!

The Pipe Coaster is located at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, just south of town. Tickets are $25/ride and each ride takes about 3 minutes.

Chase Waterfalls

As you might know, waterfalls are my favourite. There are three waterfalls near Revelstoke worth seeing, especially after it rains when there’s lots of runoff. You’ll need to hike a few minutes to get to each waterfall, but all three are an easy walk. Find the details in my guide to the best hikes in Revelstoke. 

Discover Revelstoke’s History

The town of Revelstoke has an interesting history, beginning in the 1880s with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway. When I was in Revelstoke I went on a fabulous historical walking tour with Cathy from the Revelstoke Museum. She told us about Revelstoke’s past as the two rival towns of Farwell and Revelstoke. (Spoiler: Revelstoke won!) It was one of the most interesting things I did in Revelstoke.

If you don’t have time to take a tour, walk around Revelstoke’s downtown on your own. There are lots ofb heritage buildings to see, many of which have informative plaques. Be sure to venture a bit north of downtown to see the courthouse, built in 1912. History buffs should also check out the Revelstoke Museum and Archives or the Revelstoke Railway Museum. They’re both on my list for my next visit to Revelstoke.

Go Mountain Biking

In the summer months, mountain biking is one of the most popular things to do in Revelstoke. And that’s because Revelstoke is a world-famous mountain biking destination. There are tons of trails in a few areas around town. The trails range from easy beginner cross country trails to gnarly double black diamond downhill trails. You can bike right from downtown, set up a shuttle, access alpine trails from the ski resort gondola, or book a heli-biking adventure.

On my first trip to Revelstoke, I explored the easy trails at Mount Macpherson with Matt and Connor from Wandering Wheels. It was great to have local guides show us the trails. Plus they helped me improve my admittedly very mediocre mountain bike skills. (I got quite a few bruises from some epic crashes though!)

On my second trip, my husband and I explored the trails on our own, using the Revelstoke Mountain Bike map and the Trailforks app. I’m still a beginner mountain biker, but my husband Greg and my Dad are not. They rode the spectacular trails alpine Frisby Ridge route just north of town and the brand new lift-accessed Fifty Six Twenty Trail at the Revelstoke Mountain Resort ski hill. It descends 5,620 feet! That’s over 1,700m! They said both were incredible. 

Soar Above Town in a Paraglider

Until going to Revelstoke, I honestly had never thought about going paragliding. If you aren’t sure what paragliding is, you’re not alone. Basically, it’s jumping off a tall mountain with a parachute wing attached to you. You use the wing to float and glide safely down to the ground. Beginners get strapped to an experienced pilot for a tandem paragliding flight.

Revelstoke has the highest paraglide launch in North America at an elevation of 2,225m! You take a gondola up the ski hill, then climb into a van to go even higher up the mountain. After take-off, you soar for at least 30 minutes before landing next to the Columbia River down in the valley below. If you want, the pilot will do flips and other acrobatics. You might even get to fly the wing yourself! I expected the whole thing to be scary, and while it was a bit nerve-wracking at first, mostly it was quite peaceful. And the views were incredible!

However, if you have a weak stomach like me, you may want to take some anti-nausea meds beforehand. Real talk: I felt a bit nauseous during the flight, and it got worse as we began to land. I think if I had taken some anti-nausea meds, I wouldn’t have had an issue and others in my group didn’t feel sick at all.

To book a trip, get in touch with Revelstoke Paragliding. I flew with Brad, who was amazing! He made sure I felt safe, let me fly the wing for a long time and tailored the flight to minimize my nausea. I definitely recommend him!

Go Paddling

There are lots of lakes near Revelstoke including Lake Revelstoke, the Arrow Lakes, and Williamson Lake. You can rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards to get out on the water.

Raft Some Whitewater

If you are more adventurous, sign up for a whitewater rafting trip on the raging Illecillewaet River. And if that sounds too hardcore, you can float mellow sections of the Columbia River instead.

Explore BC’s Tallest Treehouse

Head to the Enchanted Forest 25 minutes west of Revelstoke to experience BC’s Tallest Treehouse. I’ve seen photos of this on Instagram, but sadly I’ve never had time to stop. It looks incredible. The treehouse is part of a larger fairytale forest experience aimed at children that includes over 350 folk art figurines and their homes. The whole thing is set in a magical green rainforest of old-growth cedars.

Drink Craft Beer and Spirits

For a small town, Revelstoke has a surprisingly large number of craft breweries and distilleries. There is a distillery and two breweries in town! They all focus on local ingredients, but each has its own flair.

As a gin-lover, I was really excited to try the award-winning gin at Monashee Spirits. It might just be my new favourite craft gin! We chatted with Josh, the owner who told us his story. He started as a welder and got interested in distilling when someone asked him to help weld a backyard still. He’s been perfecting his gin ever since. His tasting room has a full bar with a fun cocktail menu. If you’re looking for drinks in Revelstoke, this is THE spot. 

Rumpus Beer Company just opened in 2019. We chatted with Fred, the founder about how he had wanted to open a microbrewery for over a decade. We tasted a flight of all of his beers and I have to admit that while I’m not a huge beer drinker, I was really impressed. The beers at Rumpus are designed to be sophisticated and nuanced, but still easy to drink. The way Fred explained it is that Revelstoke is a town where you go play outside in the mountains with your friends all day, and afterward all you want to do is go drink a couple of beers in a fun atmosphere. He wants his beers to match that Revelstoke attitude. I think he’s definitely hit the mark.

I didn’t have time to visit the original craft brewery in Revelstoke, Mt. Begbie Brewing. It’s been around since 1996 and has won tons of craft beer awards. They run tours and have a tasting room where you can grab a pint or fill your growler. 

Go Shopping

Revelstoke’s compact downtown is home to lots of fun shops. If you need outdoor equipment, there are lots of bike shops and sports stores. Check out the boutiques for handmade and local goods. I didn’t have much time to shop in Revelstoke, but I did do some window shopping. Lovemaking Designs has some really cool screen printed designs and jewelry.

If you visit on a Saturday, don’t miss the Revelstoke Farmer’s Market in Grizzly Plaza right downtown. There are lots of fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers. You can also find baked goods, jams, honey, plants, knitting, and crafts. 

Eat Amazing Food

Revelstoke isn’t known as a foodie destination… yet! It definitely should be since almost everything I ate in Revelstoke was amazing. Obviously, I haven’t had time to try every single restaurant in Revelstoke, but here are a few of my picks:

Fine Dining: 112 Restaurant & Lounge – An upscale restaurant at The Regent Hotel, the 112 has classics like steak and West Coast-style fare like salmon and halibut. The chef also moonlights as a tandem paragliding pilot (hi Brad!), so you know the dishes will have an adventurous flair.

Casual Comfort Food: Old School Eatery – Located in an old elementary school, they describe themselves as serving old school classics with a new school twist. I had a fried chicken sandwich with a delicious Korean-style sauce that was better than anything I’ve had in the big city. We like this place so much that we went twice on our most recent trip. Brunch on the weekends is also amazing. 

Pub for Apres Hiking/Mountain Biking/Anything: Big Eddy Pub – Located across the river from town, you can literally roll right downhill from the Mount Macpherson mountain bike trails into the pub. It’s a popular place with locals and outdoorsy visitors and they won’t bat an eye if you show up covered in mud.

Funky Mexican: Taco Club – A fun spot right downtown serving up giant burritos and tasty tacos. They also have killer margaritas. Their patio is a great spot for people watching too.

Sandwiches: La Baguette – This bakery has amazing sandwiches on homemade bread. They have a location near downtown and one at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Another great option for a hiking lunch.

Hipster Coffee: Dose Coffee  – A fun and funky hipster-style coffee shop with great espresso based drinks. They have great breakfast too. 

Where to Stay in Revelstoke

There are lots of options for accommodation in Revelstoke. Here a few of my Revelstoke hotel recommendations:

Upscale Hotel: The Regent – I stayed at this family-run hotel during my trip to Revelstoke. It has a great location downtown. Over the years the owners have renovated a few different adjacent heritage buildings to create a modern, yet classic building. Breakfast is also included and it was one of the better hotel breakfasts I’ve had in North America.

Boutique Hotel: The Explorer’s Society Hotel – We learned about this hotel on our heritage walking tour of downtown. Built in 1911, this historic brick building was recently restored and converted into a hotel. The entire space is modern yet outdoorsy, with lots of exposed brick and weathered wood. My parents stayed here recently and loved it. My dad loved the lounge area for watching the hockey game and my mom’s favourite part was the rooftop patio.

Budget Hotel: The Cube Hotel – Part hotel, part hostel, the Cube Hotel has a stand-out cubist exterior. It also has lots of adventure-friendly features on the inside like a gear drying room, a lounge, and a shared kitchen so you can cook your own dinner.

Cabins: Boulder Mountain Resort – These cabins just outside of town are super cute with a cozy tiny-house vibe. But they still have full sized kitchens, a king-size bed and a barbecue. I spent a few nights here recently and was really impressed. 

Camping – There are lots of places to camp in Revelstoke. In town you can stay at a few privately run campgrounds: Williamson Lake Campground, Revelstoke KOA Campgrounds and Cabins, or Lamplighter Campground. The Snowforest Campground at Mount Revelstoke National Park just opened in 2020 and I was lukcy enough to spend a few nights there. It has the nicest bathroom/shower building of any campground I’ve ever been to! If you’d rather stay in a provincial park, Blanket Creek and Martha Creek Provincial Parks are only a 20-30 minute drive away.

So there you have it: 15 things to do in Revelstoke in summer. I think I’ll have to go back in the winter to make another “things to do in Revelstoke” list. I hear the snow is epic! What’s your favourite Revelstoke activity? Tell me in the comments.

READ NEXT:

• The Best Hikes in Revelstoke, BC
• Things to do in Mount Revelstoke National Park, Canada
• 22 Weekend Getaways from Vancouver
• Best Small Towns in Canada for Outdoor Adventures
• Your Guide to the Best Hot Springs in Canada
• 30+ Things to Do in Vernon, BC
• 15 Best Things to Do in Canmore in Winter
• How to Take an Epic Canadian National Parks Road Trip

The post 15 Things to do in Revelstoke in the Summer appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of this book. However, all opinions are my own.

Basic Stats:

Author: Roy Jantzen

Format: Paperback with lots of full colour photos and maps

Publication Date: 2015

Publisher: Rocky Mountain Books

List Price: Paperback $25CAD

Where to Buy: Amazon.ca (where it’s often on sale)

What’s in the Book?

One of the things that I liked best about the book is the fact that the majority of the activities are within Metro Vancouver. Too often books claim things are in Vancouver when in reality they are several hours drive away. It’s nice to be able to pick an activity, head out the door, and be outside in the fresh air quickly. There are also public transit directions so you aren’t tied to your car.

Another thing I really liked about Active Vancouver is that most of the activities are very beginner-friendly. As well, Jantzen included an index at the back of the book. It has specific recommendations for trips that are good for dogs, kids, teens, seniors, and out of town visitors. 

Active Vancouver is broken up into sections for a variety of active outdoor pursuits. There are sections for trail running, hiking, snowshoeing, cycling, paddling and picnicking. There’s also a bonus section at the back called “Other Adventures” that includes swimming, inline skating and rock climbing.  There are 48 adventures in all, with a handful in each section. Each adventure includes a map, directions and beautiful photos.

However, for me the best part of each adventure was the “Eco-Insight” section with interesting ecological info. I’ve done the Quarry Rock Hike in Deep Cover countless times. But I’ve never stopped to think about the close relationship between the tree roots I’m stepping over and fungus. The author is a professor of natural history at Capilano University and it’s obvious that he’s put a lot of thought into the ecological info in this book. After reading the Eco-Insight for Quarry Rock, I know next time I do that hike I’ll spend some more time looking carefully at the forest floor! (Psst: Did you know that Quarry Rock is one of the most Instagrammed hikes in Vancouver?)

Who Will Like This Book?

Active Vancouver includes adventures in all four seasons, so it’s something locals can use year round. I think this is a great book for any outdoor adventurer in Vancouver. It’s especially good for those new to town, new to the outdoors or new to getting outside with their growing family. Even if you’re a seasoned Vancouver outdoors-person, I think the Eco-Insights alone are reason enough to own a copy.

More Book Reviews:

• The Glorious Mountains of Vancouver’s North Shore: A Review
• 103 Hikes and 105 Hikes: The History of Hiking Guidebooks in BC
• 20 Women’s Adventure Books That Will Inspire You
• The Best Canadian Adventure Books
• The Best Vancouver Hiking Books

More Vancouver-Area Outdoor Adventure Ideas:

• The 10 Best Hikes in Vancouver: A Local’s Guide
• Waterfalls Near Vancouver You Can Hike To
• 35 Vancouver Hikes You Can Get to on Transit
• 15 Unusual Hikes Near Vancouver
• 100+ Snow-Free Hikes in Vancouver: Trails You Can Hike Year Round
• The Ultimate Guide to Snowshoeing in Vancouver: 10 Places to Go
• 6 Easy Hikes in Vancouver for Beginners and Tourists

The post Active Vancouver: Book Review appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

Ever want to zoom along a quiet country road, as if you were on the world’s biggest cycle path?  Do you want to explore the history and culture of the deep south? A lone car passing only once every 5 minutes? The Natchez Trace Parkway is a hidden gem that will tick those boxes!  It is a 444-mile (715 km) road run by the US National Park Service that runs diagonally across Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. It is restricted from commercial vehicles and only has a limited number of entry and exit points.  Although designed originally for tourists in their automobiles, its lack of traffic and stop signs have made it a great easy cycle touring destination. In the spring of 2018 I had an amazing adventure on a self supported biking tour south on the Natchez Trace from Nashville.

If you’re in the mood for a surprisingly remote and natural experience in the heart of the American South, this is the trip for you.

Cycle Touring the Natchez Trace Basics

Description: A quiet well maintained road takes you along the wild yet historical Natchez Trace. It begins relatively flat in the south, and gets hillier in Tennessee. It’s a national scenic parkway maintained by the American National Parks Service that follows a historic route used by Native Americans and later by explorers and traders to get inland to Nashville from the Mississippi River.

Distance: 444 miles (715 km)

Elevation: about 10,000 feet up and 10,500 feet down (3000m up, 3200m down)

Time: 7-10 days

Best time to go: Spring or Fall

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.

Location: Natchez, Mississippi to Pasquo, Tennessee (near Nashville)

Road: As a scenic parkway it has very light traffic and big trucks are not allowed. There are no designated bike lanes or shoulders. There is lots of signage alerting drivers to the presence of cyclists and they give bikes lots of room when passing.

Cycle Touring the Natchez Trace Difficulty

With the right amount of planning, this is a relatively easy bike tour, especially physically. The hills are generally short and not incredibly steep, at least not in comparison to what I’m used to at home in the Pacific Northwest!

The main difficulty is in planning — unlike many trips, there are not many amenities on the route itself.  You’ll have to go off the Trace for B&Bs and groceries, so some preparation is really important. This is definitely not a candidate for a credit card tour where you can roll into town every night and grab a hotel room.  Bringing along some camping gear will definitely give you a lot of flexibility, but I’ll talk a bunch more about that in “Where to Stay”.

Getting to the Natchez Trace

The official mile zero of the Natchez Trace is near Natchez, MS at the southern terminus, with mile 444 and the northern terminus at Pasquo, TN, just south of Nashville.

Major airports: Nashville, TN and New Orleans, LA

Minor airports: Jackson, MS and Baton Rouge, LA

At only 20 miles away, Nashville is the closest major airport to the Trace and where I started.  Due to a mechanical issue, I took a cab from the airport to my host in Nashville. Sadly, from the car the roads did not look exceptionally bike friendly near the airport.  My ride the next day from East Nashville to Pasquo, however, was quite pleasant.

If you’re shipping your bike, Nashville also offers a host of bike shops, including Trace Bikes which is just a couple miles from the terminus.  Eastside Cycles in East Nashville helped me get my ride in tip top shape after some damage from the flight.

Which Direction Should You Cycle Tour the Natchez Trace?

There’s a number of factors to consider when deciding on a direction for riding the Trace: wind, weather and hills.  You can rule out overall elevation change: the difference in elevation between Natchez and Nashville is only a few hundred feet, so sadly it’s not all downhill from Nashville!  I chose to start in the North at Nashville and go south to Natchez then beyond to New Orleans.

The Gulf of Mexico tends to generate prevailing southerly winds (especially in the afternoon), so you run the risk of a headwinds if going from North to South. That being said, on my trip in that direction I didn’t experience anything I would consider headwinds.  

At any given time it will generally be warmer at the South, so if it’s early in the spring you may want to start in Natchez. Conversely, if it’s late in the fall starting in Nashville may be better for getting the most warm days.  

Terrain is important to consider too, Tennessee is hilly and things flatten out a lot at the Southern end.  So you could get the hills over with first, or you could warm up for those hills with a few days of flat.

And, of course, there’s always just plain old personal preference. Coming from Canada, I have a lot more experience with cold weather and I wanted to gradually expose myself to the heat.  As well, I was planning on extending my journey to New Orleans. No one wants to start a bike tour after a night on Bourbon Street!

Best Time to Cycle Tour the Natchez Trace

The Natchez Trace is a great shoulder season bike tour– for many it’s too hot in the summer and, despite being in the South, too cold in the winter.  With highs from 60-70F (15-20C) and lows of 50-60F (10-15C), April, May, September and October would be premium months to give it a go. I did my trip in early May and found the temperatures perfect. September and October are usually the driest months along the Trace, although only by a little and those who go in mid to late October would be treated with lovely fall colours.  The park keeps an updated fall colour report.  

How Many Days Does it Take to Cycle Tour the Natchez Trace

Everyone’s touring pace is different, and that can really determine how long your trip can be.  That being said, many tourers seem to get about 50-60 miles in a day. At that pace, it would take about 8 days to travel the length of the trace.  I started in Nashville, which added a few miles, and wanted to visit things along the way so I ended up taking about 9 days.

When calculating the total distance you’ll be travelling, make sure you account for side trips for lodging or resupply.  Aside from campgrounds and restrooms, there are very few services on the Trace itself, so you may have to tack on a couple extra miles each day.

Must-See Stops on the Natchez Trace

Here’s some of the things I think are worthwhile and not to miss on the Natchez Trace.  I’ve listed them in the order you’d encounter them when biking from north to south, along with the milepost marker (MP).

Loveless Cafe (just east of the northern terminus): It’s technically not on the Natchez Trace, but you can’t miss it. This historic cafe serves amazing Southern home cooking with breakfast all day. The biscuits are amazeballs.

Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge (MP 438): This is a beautiful piece of engineering, and it’s a joy to soar over the valley below! Best viewed from below on Highway 96.  

Leipers Fork, TN (MP 428): A hip little tourist town that oozes country.  Worth a stop at Puckett’s for some amazing BBQ and music. It’s not been unknown for a big star to drop in and play.

Jackson Falls (MP 404.7): A short walk to some beautiful falls. 

Fall Hollow Falls (MP 391.9): A fun little walk to some scenic waterfalls.  Make sure to go all the way to the bottom!

Meriwether Lewis Monument (MP 385.9): Don’t miss the spot where the intrepid explorer mysteriously died and was buried.

Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall (MP 338): A touching memorial to a Native American woman who spent 5 years walking back to Alabama after being exiled on the Trail of Tears.  This is a hidden gem that isn’t on any of the maps. To find it, turn east on County Road 8, about 4 miles south of the Alabama state line. The entrance to the wall is a few hundred feet down the road.

Rock Spring (MP 330.2): Definitely do not miss this pleasant forest walk! There’s some cool rock steps across a stream, a very large beaver dam, and tons of wildlife.

Cave Spring (MP 308.4): Caves? Springs? What’s not to love.  A short little stretch of the legs.

Jamie Whitten Lock and Dam (MP 293.2): Riding the Trace you forget just how much the Army Corps of Engineers have shaped the waterways of America.  They connected the Tennessee to the Tombigbee River, and ultimately the gulf of Mexico in Mobile, Alabama

Tupelo, MS (MP 266): The birthplace of Elvis! It’s no Graceland, but you can check out his 2-room childhood home.  There is also a fantastic auto museum in town, definitely worth a visit. I grabbed a great burger and beer at the Blue Canoe, which was conveniently on the way back to the Parkway Visitor Center where I camped.

French Camp Historic Village (MP 180.7): Grab a sandwich at the Council House cafe and take a walk through the historic village. Directly on the Trace so there’s no excuse! You can also stay in the historic buildings at their B&B. I really enjoyed it.

Cypress Swamp (MP 122): It has always been my dream to walk through a cypress swamp.  A beautiful stroll on a boardwalk over the swamp.

Reservoir Overlook (MP 105.6): The biggest body of water you’ll see along the route. Take a break and enjoy! It’s also the start and end of the separated bike path through Ridgeland (be sure to use it!).

Sunken Trace (MP 41.5): A section of the historic Natchez Trace footpath that was been eroded into a ditch by years of travel.

Mount Locust (MP 15.5): An historic inn and plantation from 1780 that is now a historic site run by the National Park Service. Open Thursday through Sunday.

Where to Stay on the Natchez Trace

Camping on the Natchez Trace

Although it is definitely possible to spend every night in a hotel or B&B, having the option to camp really increases the flexibility of your tour.  Aside from a few exceptions, there are no roofed accommodations directly on the Trace, however there are plenty of camping options. Even better, there are several cyclist specific sites.  Even better than that, most of the on-trace camping options are free! (Although it goes without saying, you get what you pay for– the free options have toilets and water, but lack some amenities like showers!)

The 3 main Parkway campsites are Rocky Springs (mile 54), Jeff Busby (mile 193) and Meriwether Lewis (mile 385).  These are free first come, first serve campgrounds with toilets and water but you’ll have to share with vehicles.

In addition to those, there are 5 free bicycle only campgrounds: Kosciusko Welcome Center (mile 160), Witch Dance (mile 234), the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center in Tupelo (mile 266), Colbert Ferry (mile 327), and Gordon House/Tennessee Highway 50 (milepost 408).  These are also free, have water and restrooms.

At the Collinwood visitor center, they will let you camp across the street in the town park.  They offer free showers from 9-5, and there was a volunteer fire department next door with restrooms.  

Off the trace you can find paid campgrounds at both State park and private facilities.  I had a lovely evening at Tishomingo State Park.

Hotels and B&Bs on the Natchez Trace

For the most part, towns near the Trace are quite small, and the choices for hotels and B&Bs are limited. It is unlikely you’ll be able to roll up to a town and find a room.  This is especially frustrating if you’ve just had to ride 5 miles off route!

That said, if you plan ahead there is lots of extremely cycling friendly establishments that are prepared to take in smelly, wet, and exhausted riders.  Many will, for a fee, also pick you up and drop you off directly on the Trace. Here’s a good guide to bed and breakfasts along the Natchez Trace.

Many of these B&Bs are in beautiful historic homes and come with amazing southern breakfasts.  I highly recommend staying at least one night, if you can. I stayed a night at the historic French Camp in a wonderfully preserved house, where I also met some fellow cyclists (one who opened his home to me when I got to Baton Rouge!).  And, of course, it’s definitely worth it to treat yourself to a stay in a fancy house when you make it to Natchez, which has one of the highest concentration of antebellum homes in the country. I stayed at this historical Linden B&B in Natchez.

Of course, bigger cities like Tupelo, Jackson and Natchez have a much bigger selection of lodgings including chain hotels.

On my adventure when I wasn’t camping, I stayed at:

• French Camp Bed and Breakfast in French Camp: You can really feel the history of the Trace in this rustic yet elegant B&B.  Amazing breakfast!
• Springhill Suites by Marriott in Ridgeland/Jackson: A very new and modern hotel not too far off the Trace in Jackson.
• Linden Bed and Breakfast in Natchez: Wonderful southern hospitality in this antebellum house whose front door was copied and used in the film Gone with the Wind.  The breakfasts were stellar.

Where to Eat and Buy Food on the Natchez Trace

The most difficult aspect of a bike tour on the Natchez Trace is keeping track of where to get food and water.  Thanks to the limited number of access roads, and the laws prohibiting signage, you’ll need to plan ahead a little to ensure you know where to get off the Trace.  This is also not helped by intermittent mobile phone reception. The National Parks Service maintains a list of all the places to eat and buy groceries on the Natchez Trace. It’s the most important document you’ll need on your trip.

Many of the gas stations with convenience stores will have a very limited selection, and most of that selection will be potato chips!  Early on I had purchased a jar of peanut butter, and I must admit that it became a staple part of a number of meals. (I did not bring a stove).  Do not expect to find a place to grab a sandwich at lunch or find a bakery somewhere along the way after you’ve gotten started in the morning.  If I found myself at a store with real food, I definitely stocked up some extra for the next day.  

Water management is also something to consider carefully.  Restrooms on the Natchez Trace will have water, so make sure to stock up whenever you pass one.  I brought two 25oz cycling bottles and a 64oz plastic reservoir, as well as a water filter in case I had to grab some water from a stream in an emergency.  I was very glad for the reservoir on more than one occasion, but I never had to use the water filter.

I stored my snacks and extra water in my rack trunk, so they were always easy to grab. (Mine is discontinued, but this guide has some great suggestions for bike trunk bags.)

7 Day Itinerary for Cycle Touring the Natchez Trace

This is a North to South itinerary for a self supported trip that is not quite exactly what I rode, but having ridden the trace is what I wish I had ridden.  My trip included a start in Nashville (adding 20 miles on Day 1) and I ended up staying at a number of the cycling only camping spots (Gordon House, Collinwood visitor center, Witch Dance).  Not that I wouldn’t recommend these places, but the campsites I have recommended here are both bigger and more scenic.

Make sure you take time to stop and check out the sights along the way.  It is easy to get into the groove, but there is a lot of fun walks and historical sites along the way.  You might even want to consider taking a rest day. I didn’t take one but Tupelo had enough stuff nearby to make it a good place to take a day off from riding.

My ideal 7-day itinerary is below. I’ve only listed the places where I actually stopped for supplies.  The National Park Service has an up to date list. Remember that outside of major towns the selection may be limited to jerky, chips, and other convenience store items.  

Day 1: Pasquo, TN to Meriwether Lewis Campground, TN (60 miles)

Must See: Loveless Cafe, Leipers Fork, TN-96 bridge, Gordon House, Jackson Falls, Tobacco Farm, Fall Hollow Falls

Supplies: Leipers Fork, Centerville.

Sleep: free NPS campground at Meriwether Lewis

Day 2: Meriwether Lewis Campground to Colbert Ferry, AL (60 miles)

Must See: Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall, Rock Spring, Tennessee River bridge

Supplies: Collinwood

Sleep: free NPS campground at Colbert Ferry

Day 3: Colbert Ferry to Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Centre, Tupelo, MS (62 miles)

Must See : Cave Spring, Jamie L Whitten Dam and Lock, Pharr Mounds, Old Trace and Confederate Gravesites, Elvis’ birthplace in Tupelo, Tupelo auto museum

Supplies: Tupelo

Sleep: free NPS campground at the Parkway Visitor Center, or plenty of hotels in town

Day 4: Tupelo to French Camp, MS (85 miles)

Cycle Touring Tips: This is a big day so start early to make sure you have enough time and to miss rush hour getting out of Tupelo.

Must See: View from the top of the hill in Jeff Busby, French Camp

Supplies: By Wy Country Store (Hwy 9), Leonard’s 3-way (French Camp)

Sleep: French Camp B&B

Day 5: French Camp to Ridgeland, MS (60 miles)

Must See: Cypress Swamp, Reservoir Overlook

Supplies: Kosciusko, Ridgeland (part of the greater Jackson, MS area)

Sleep: Plenty of hotels in Ridgeland/Jackson/Clinton area

Day 6: Ridgeland to Rocky Springs Campground, MS (48 miles)

Cycle Touring Tips: Avoid rush hour leaving Ridgeland since you’ll be going through Jackson, MS!

Must See: Rocky Springs

Supplies: nothing near enough to the Trace that I stopped at, but Raymond is 3 miles from the Trace.

Sleep: free NPS campground at Rocky Springs

Day 7: Rocky Springs Campground to Natchez, MS (55 miles)

Must See: Sunken Trace, Mount Locust, Natchez

Supplies: nothing near enough to the Trace that I stopped at, but Port Gibson is 2 miles from the Trace

Sleep: you made it! Treat yourself at one of the many historic B&Bs in antebellum mansions.  I loved my stay at the Linden B&B.

Alternative Itineraries for Cycle Touring the Natchez Trace

8 Day Itinerary for Cycle Touring the Natchez Trace

The 7 day itinerary has rather long days on Day 4 and 5.  If you’d like a slightly more relaxed version, it is easy to convert the above 7 day itinerary into an 8 day itinerary. Spread out the mileage from days 4 and 5 above into three days by following this itinerary:

Day 4: Tupelo -> Jeff Busby (73 miles)

Sleep: free NPS campground at Jeff Busby

Day 5: Jeff Busby -> Kosciusko (34 miles)

Sleep: free camping at the Kosciusko visitor center, many hotel options as well

Day 6: Kosciusko -> Ridgeland (60 miles)

Resume 7 day itinerary schedule

Extending Your Cycle Tour to New Orleans

Like I did, you can also continue onwards to the Big Easy.  It took me 4 days to travel from Natchez to New Orleans. Unfortunately it is not as straightforward and a bit more route planning is needed.  With the help of some local cyclists, some internet research and the American Cycling Association’s “Great Rivers South” maps, I cobbled together a reasonably stress-free journey. If you’re planning a similar trip, check out my trip journal to see what route I took. And of course, leave me comment if you need advice!

Resources and Further Reading for Cycle Touring the Natchez Trace

• Read my trip journal
• Helpful National Park Service links:
  • Cycle touring information including info for requesting printed copies of maps and other cycling related information through the mail.
  • Maps of the Natchez Trace
  • List of places to eat and sleep along the Natchez Trace
  • Info on cyclist-only campgrounds
  • List of all other campsites on or near the Natchez Trace
• Natchez Trace Travel, an amazing resource for everything you ever wanted to know about the Trace! They will even create a customized itinerary for you.
• Scenic Trace, the local tourism board website for the Natchez Trace.
• Adventure Cycling Association maps. I used Great Rivers South maps #2 and #3. They were really helpful. 
• Bicycling the Natchez Trace Parkway Guidebook. I didn’t buy this one since it’s a bit old (published in 2002), but it gets great reviews.

I really enjoyed my cycle tour of the Natchez Trace and I hope this post inspires you to plan cycle tour of your own. See you out on the road! – Greg

READ NEXT:

• Rad Power RadMini Step-Thru Electric Bike Review
• 10 Under-the-Radar US National Parks to Add to Your Bucket List
• How to Take an Epic Canadian National Parks Road Trip

The post How to Cycle Tour the Natchez Trace Parkway appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Hey there: This is NOT a sponsored post. I visited Summerland on my own time and spent my own money. I just had a really good time and wanted to share it with you. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

Summerland Winery Basics

The entire Okanagan valley is full of great wineries. There are so many to choose from that it can be hard to know where to start.

I love the Summerland area as it avoids the hype and crowds in favour of a more intimate experience at small family run wineries. Many of the vineyards are organic and produce niche or specialty wines you won’t find anywhere else. In the last few years a few cideries have also opened up, returning the region to its apple orchard roots. Currently there are 19 wineries, 3 cideries and one brewery in Summerland, all easy to find thanks to the city’s Bottleneck Drive signage. The region is easy to explore by car, but I think you’ll enjoy it more on a bike.

You can easily visit Summerland on a day trip if you are staying in Kelowna or Penticton, but it’s much easier base yourself in Summerland. I stayed with friends, but they recommend the Summerland Waterfront Resort if you’re looking for a hotel in the area. There are also tons of cute cabins in vineyards, as well as motels and bed and breakfasts. (Check out my list of the cutest cozy cabins in BC, including a few in the Okanagan.)

Biking in Summerland

In addition to wine, Summerland and the Okanagan region have also become a destination for cycling thanks to the Grand Fondo Alex Merckx. You don’t have to be a spandex-clad semi-pro to enjoy biking here – the quiet backroads are perfect for casual cyclists too. Exploring Summerland’s wineries by bike instead of by car lets you slow down a little bit, hear the bees, smell the flowers and really experience the rural life. Plus you won’t feel as bad about drinking all that alcohol knowing you got a bit of exercise first!

When to Go

The wineries and cideries are open from 11am until 5pm from May until September. They have more limited hours in the winter (and the weather isn’t as nice) so summer afternoons are the best time to visit Summerland’s wineries by bike.

What to bring

The wineries aren’t formal: dress in whatever you find comfortable for biking. It’s very sunny and hot in the Okanagan so don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses and a bottle of water. Cycling makes you hungry so be sure to pack some snacks or a lunch. Most of the wineries and cideries have shaded patios where you can eat your own food. Lunessence Winery also has snacks for purchase.

Bring some cash or cards to buy wine and cider. A few places charge a tasting fee (usually $2-$5) but they will always waive it if someone in your group buys a bottle or two. You may also want to bring a backpack or pannier so you can carry your purchases with you. We knew we would buying a lot, so we asked each winery or cidery to set aside our purchases, then returned later with our car to pick them up.

Bike Riding Tips

The roads around Summerland are very quiet and safe. They are all paved, although there are a few potholes. The locals are used to cyclists and will usually give you lots of room. There are several signed cycling routes, some of which have separated bike lanes.

Be courteous to drivers by riding single file, using hand signals when turning and taking breaks off the pavement.  By law, you must wear a bike helmet in British Columbia. There’s a $100 fine if you don’t.

Self-Guided Summerland Winery Bike Tour

There are 19 wineries and 3 cideries in Summerland… too many to visit in one day. I’ve put together a loop bike route that hits the highlights: three organic wineries, two cideries and a few photo stops and a ride along the lakeshore. It also avoids unnecessary hills, long detours out of the way and all highway riding. If you’re super ambitious I’ve also included 4 optional side trips to additional wineries.

The route is good for most cyclists who can handle a few hills. (It’s ok if you walk up the steep bits!) If you want a shorter and easier route, I’ve also designed an alternate route. It cuts off 6km of distance and all of the big hills but does miss one of the cideries. Follow the blue loop on the map below for the main route and use the green shortcut line to take the alternate route.

Main Route: 25km/15.5mi loop with 200m/650ft of elevation change. Allow 3.5-5.5 hours including stops. Best for most cyclists. Starts and finishes at Peach Orchard Park.

Alternate Route: 19km/12mi loop with 50m/160ft of elevation change. Allow 3-4.5hours including stops. Best for cyclists who want a shorter route with less hills. Starts and finishes at the intersection of Prairie Valley Road and Rosedale Avenue.

Itinerary

• Peach Orchard Park
• Summergate Winery
• Saxon Estate Winery (closed)
• Dominion Cider Co.
• Bush Art Gardens
• Trout Creek Trestle
• Lunessence Winery
• Summerland Heritage Cider

PARKING: For the MAIN ROUTE, start at Peach Orchard Park on Lakeshore Drive. There is lots of parking here but be sure to arrive early on summer weekends. If you can’t find a spot, try the lots at Gordon Beggs Beach a little further south on Lakeshore Drive. You can also park on the street along Lakeshore drive in front of the Summerland Waterfront Resort. For the ALTERNATE ROUTE, skip ahead to 2.5km.

0KM: RIDE NORTH on Lakeshore Drive from Peach Orchard Park.

0.2km: TURN LEFT on Peach Orchard Road. Ride up the hill. This is the hardest climb of the whole trip but there is a wide shoulder and bike lane for the entire hill.

1.8km: GO UNDER the highway on Peach Orchard.

2.1km: GO LEFT on Rosedale Avenue at the roundabout.

2.5km: GO STRAIGHT at the second roundabout to join Prairie Valley Road. If you are following the shorter alternate route, this is where you start your ride.

3km: Go STRAIGHT on Prairie Valley road as it goes around another roundabout. As you leave the houses and transition into farmland, the road starts to climb uphill. Watch for the plume of the Kettle Valley steam train down below.

5.2km: TURN RIGHT on Morrow Avenue

5.3km: TURN LEFT into Summergate Winery.

Summergate Winery

Summergate Winery is a small estate winery focusing on sweeter white wines. Like a few other small wineries around Summerland, they are an organic winery that doesn’t use chemical pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. I really enjoyed their 2017 Kerner. It has unique tropical notes that just taste like summer.

5.3km: TURN RIGHT  to leave Summergate and retrace your route on Morrow.

5.4km: TURN RIGHT on Prairie Valley.

5.9km: TURN LEFT onto Rutherford Avenue.

6.3km: TURN LEFT onto Dale Meadows Road.

7.6km: TURN RIGHT onto Lumsden Avenue.

7.8km: TURN LEFT into Saxon Estate Winery.

Saxon Estate Winery (Closed)

Update: Saxon Estate Winery is now closed.

Like Summergate, Saxon Estate Winery is also an organic winery. They are a small family run winery and specialize in the obscure Leon Millot Rouge grape, used in their signature reds. We really enjoyed their Drunken Knight, a strangely sparkling port created through several happy accidents of winemaking.

TURN LEFT onto the path through the grass beside the Winery. Walk your bike 100m to Dominion Cider Co.

Dominion Cider Co.

Historically Summerland was known for their orchards, but many were converted to wineries in the last few decades. Thankfully the trend seems to be reversing a little bit with new cideries like Dominion Cider Co. opening up to brew delicious cider from the local apples and pears. Dominion is housed in the cutest little quonset hut. I really enjoyed their ginger cider, created in collaboration with Dickie’s Ginger Beer of Vancouver.

8km: FOLLOW THE DRIVEWAY out on to Gould Road.

8.1km: TURN LEFT on Gould Road.

8.15km: TURN RIGHT on to Dale Meadows Road.

9.1km: TURN RIGHT on to Victoria Road. Follow Victoria Road down the hill.

11.8km: TURN RIGHT on Monro Street. Ride down on Munro, crossing the railway tracks. (Optional side trip: Stop at Estate Thurn at 12.4km, a craft winery that also makes their own vinegar.)

12.9km: TURN LEFT on Canyon View Road and descend steeply with a couple of sharp corners. There are good views from up here!

13.7km: ARRIVE AT Bush Art Gardens. It’s on your left.

Bush Art Gardens

While Bush Art Gardens is no longer fully operational, it’s still worth a stop. It’s a unique outdoor gallery of art re-purposed from junk and found objects. Be sure to check out the vintage car planters. The owners have retired and aren’t creating new art but they do have a few things for sale on the honour system inside the little shack. (Be sure to check out the inside – it’s actually a really cute 50s travel trailer.)

14.1km TURN RIGHT into the Trout Creek Trestle Parking lot. Walk your bike out along the pathway, on to the Trout Creek Trestle.

Trout Creek Trestle

The Trout Creek trestle stands 240 feet/73 meters above the steep-sided canyon. There are pedestrian walkways on either side of the tracks so be sure to walk across to enjoy the views. It is part of the historical Kettle Valley Railway, built between 1910 and 1915. The KVR originally ran from Hope to Midway in the Kootenays. It fell into disuse in the 1960s and totally closed in the 1980s. Today much of the former KVR rail bed has been converted into a hiking and biking path. However, the short section near Summerland hosts the Kettle Valley Steam Railway, a heritage train for tourists.

14.1km: TURN RIGHT out of the parking lot and continue on Canyon View Road after you visit the trestle. (Optional side trip: Stop at Summerland Sweets at 14.2km. This popular spot is known for their jams and syrups, made from local fruit. They also have ice cream, so plan to stop here on hot days. You can also sample the fruit wines from their sister business, the Sleeping Giant Fruit Winery.)

14.4km: TURN RIGHT on Hillborn Street.

14.7km: STAY LEFT as Hillborn curves and becomes Happy Valley Road.

15.4km: TURN LEFT at Gartrell road and head steeply uphill.

15.5km: TURN RIGHT to arrive at Lunessence Winery.

Lunessence Winery

Lunessence Winery goes a step further than organic: they practice biodynamic viticulture. This means that they see the vineyard as holistic entity and take into account the soil, climate, and lunar cycles, as well as the health of the vines. (That’s why they are called “lunessence”, from “lunar”). They also play classical music for their grapes as they grow and for their wine barrels as they age since they believe it exposes the wine to positive emotions. You might think this all sounds amazing OR that it sounds like hippy BS, but either way, their wine is pretty good. The view from their terrace is also spectacular. You can purchase cheese plates and other snacks to enjoy while you admire the view, or bring your own.

ALTERNATE ROUTE: If you want to take the shorter alternate route, after Lunessence head turn right and go uphill on Gartrell for one block, then turn right on Giant’s Head Road (at 15.8km). Follow Giant’s Head road back to Prairie Valley road. Turn left on Prairie Valley (at 18.7km) and go one block to your starting point.

Directions for the Main Route continue below.

15.5km: TURN LEFT from Lunessence onto Gartrell. Follow Gartrell as it descends steeply, with a few exciting hairpin corners. (Optional side trip: Stop at Silkscarf Winery (16km). You’ll pass it near the top of the hill.)

17.4km: GO STRAIGHT at the bottom of the hill Gartrell becomes Fir Avenue.

17.6km: CURVE LEFT as Fir becomes Johnson street.

17.8km: TURN RIGHT at Summerland Heritage Cider.

Summerland Heritage Cider

Summerland Heritage Cider is a craft cidery surrounded by apple orchards. Most of their ciders are made from specialized cider apples that aren’t great for eating since they have lots of tannins. This gives their ciders a distinct dry flavour. They also have a rotating seasonal cider. This summer they made a Gose-style cider that has hints of lime and salt – I think it’s the margarita of cider. It sounds weird, but trust me it’s fabulous. We loved it so much that we returned in the car to buy a case to take home with us.

17.8km: TURN RIGHT on Johnson.

18.3km: GO STRAIGHT on Johnson across the highway at the traffic light.

18.7km: TURN LEFT on Nixon Road.

19.4km: TURN RIGHT on Kirk Ave.

19.5km: TURN LEFT on Thorber Street.

19.9km: TURN RIGHT on to Landry Crescent.

21km: TURN RIGHT towards the entrance to the RV Park.

21.05km: TURN LEFT on to the separated bike path, next to the highway.

22.2km: GO STRAIGHT on Lakeshore Drive after the bike path ends.

23.3km: TURN RIGHT to stay on Lakeshore Drive. Pass by the Summerland Waterfront Resort (23.5km) and Gordon Beggs Beach (23.9km).

24.5km: TURN RIGHT to go back into the parking lot at Peach Orchard Park.

I hope you enjoyed your exploring Summerland’s wineries by bike as much as I did. Let me know which wines and ciders were your favourite in the comments.

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