Stop by the Visitor Centre to pick up the informative Summerland Walking and Hiking Trails brochure, which highlights some of Summerland’s best trails and parks.

Summerland Rotary Loop
Start on the lakeshore for this 6km/3.7mi circuit (rated moderate), with ideal locations in grassy lakeside parks for a snack or picnic. The trail continues through orchards and vineyards, with some hefty climbs and descents on municipal roads. Make a slight detour for a walk through the Adams Bird Sanctuary.

Trans-Canada Trail
Hiking the Trans Canada Trail – Laurie Carter Spanning 61km/38mi between Summerland and Osprey Lake, there are numerous access points for shorter hikes along the Summerland section (rated easy to moderate) of the Trans-Canada Trail. Much of the route uses the former rail bed of the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR). Features include the 73m/240ft high Trout Creek Bridge, the highest on the line. The trail runs by the Summerland Ornamental Gardens and later follows an old irrigation flume. If the timing’s right, catch sight of the Kettle Valley steam train making its run on the last remaining section of KVR tracks.

Giant’s Head Mountain
Giants Head Park – Hike from the bottom in the heart of downtown Summerland or drive to the parking area near the 845m/2771ft summit of Giant’s Head Mountain (rated moderate to advanced) and make the final assault on foot. The 360-degree views include Okanagan Lake, the Monashee Mountains and the Cascades as well as downtown Summerland and the agricultural Prairie Valley.

The Brigade Trail
Follow the path of Hudson’s Bay Company fur traders who trekked through the Okanagan Valley from 1812 to 1846 with pack trains of up to 300 horses. The same trail was later used during the Cariboo Gold Rush and was the first automobile route to Summerland. Drive from downtown through the Garnet Valley (actually following the original route) to the trailhead at Priest Camp Historic Park. The 4.1km/2.5mi trail (rated easy) leads to a lookout with terrific views of Okanagan Lake.