The best gravel rides around Vernon

While komoot offers around 30 gravel biking routes in the Vernon area, the region itself, often called the 'Trails Capital of BC,' boasts an extensive network. This includes over 70 km of trails within Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park alone, plus the 52 km Okanagan Rail Trail and connections through Ellison Provincial Park and Predator Ridge.

Vernon's mild climate allows for a long riding season, typically from early April to mid-November. Spring and fall offer ideal conditions with pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery. Summer provides dry, fast trails, though it can be warmer.

Yes, the Okanagan Rail Trail is an excellent choice for families. This 52 km multi-use pathway features a low-grade, packed or paved surface, making it accessible for cyclists of all ages and abilities. Ellison Provincial Park also offers trails suitable for beginners and children.

Many routes in Vernon offer stunning lake views. The Okanagan Rail Trail provides 24 km of lakefront riding along Kalamalka and Wood Lakes. Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park also features numerous trails with mesmerizing views of its emerald-green waters.

Vernon's location in the Okanagan Valley means you'll experience diverse terrain. Routes can range from low-grade, packed surfaces like the Okanagan Rail Trail to more varied landscapes within provincial parks, including desert grasslands, wetlands, canyons, and pine forests. You'll often find a mix of forested areas, semi-desert, and grasslands, sometimes with decent climbs, all within a single ride.

Yes, while the guide highlights routes like La Roche-Guyon Castle – Old Mill of Vernon loop from Le Mesnil-Milon and Old Mill of Vernon – Le Vieux Moulin (Vernon) loop from Hennezis as difficult, the region offers more demanding options. Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Predator Ridge feature trails with varied difficulties, including more challenging blue and black diamond routes for those seeking a greater test.

While riding, you might encounter several natural highlights. Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park is known for its unique emerald-green waters. The Cliffs of La Roche-Guyon offer dramatic geological features, and the Panoramic view of the Seine Valley from the Coteaux de la Seine provides expansive vistas. For a tranquil experience, BX Falls offers cascading waters, and Swan Lake Nature Reserve is excellent for bird-watching.

Absolutely. Ellison Provincial Park's trails connect through to Predator Ridge and Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, allowing for extended riding opportunities and creating longer, more varied routes. This interconnectedness is a key feature of Vernon's trail system.

The komoot community rates the routes around Vernon highly, with an average score of 4.0 stars from over 15 reviews. Riders often praise the diverse landscapes, from forested areas to semi-desert and grasslands, and the incredible views of Okanagan and Kalamalka lakes. The variety of trails, from accessible rail trails to more challenging park routes, is also a significant draw.

Many routes in Vernon provide a blend of landscapes. For instance, the La Roche-Guyon Castle – Giverny loop from La Chapelle Saint-Ouen and Le Vieux-Moulin – Le Vieux Moulin (Vernon) loop from Bonnières are noted for their varied terrain. The region's unique ecology means you can often experience forested areas, semi-desert, and grasslands, all within a single ride, especially in areas like Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Predator Ridge.

While the Okanagan Rail Trail is easily accessible by car with various parking options, direct public transport specifically to the trailheads can be limited. It's best to check local transit schedules for Vernon and Coldstream for the most current information on bus routes that might get you close to the trail access points.

Yes, many of the routes around Vernon are designed as loops, offering a complete circular experience. Examples include the La Roche-Guyon Castle – Giverny loop from La Chapelle Saint-Ouen and the Le Vieux Moulin (Vernon) – Old Mill of Vernon loop from Notre-Dame-de-l'Isle. These loops allow you to start and finish at the same point without retracing your path.