All in Parks
Spion Kop isn’t the largest mountain in the North Okanagan but it could compete for one the best views, which include views of Wood Lake, Okanagan Lake, and Ellison Lake. It is situated in the beautiful community known as Lake Country, British Columbia. There are several ways to enter the including entry points at Carr’s Landing and Oyama along the scenic Pelmewash Parkway, where you will hike right under the highway through a gigantic culvert.
The Enderby Cliffs is a massively steep cliff of volcanic origins that towers high above the Shuswap River and gives hikers spectacular views of the Okanagan Valley and the Shuswap regions of British Columbia. While on top of the cliffs hikers can enjoy watching the soaring predatory birds while they float in the ever-present updrafts created by the wind hitting the steep cliffs and shooting upwards. The park itself, known as Enderby Cliffs Provincial Park is 2,299 hectares of Okanagan wilderness which has been conveniently set aside for the public’s enjoyment.
Lochview Trail in Kelowna, British Columbia offers stunning views and takes you along the edge of gorgeous Okanagan Lake. The trail has plenty of ups and downs and there are many sets of stairs to climb, which provides an excellent workout. There is also a staircase leading down to a small beach along the way and if you continue on the trail it will connect you to Paul’s Tomb on Knox Mountain, where there are also hiking trails and a beautiful beach.
Middleton Mountain is not really a mountain at all, but more of a hill that is located smack dab in the middle of the city of Vernon, British Columbia. Though this hike doesn’t take you to the top of some alpine mountain terrain, it provides an excellent trek through the arid cactus riddled grasslands that are native to the Okanagan Valley and provides a great 360 view of Kalamalka Lake and Swan Lake. Kalamalka Lake looks stunning from the top, especially in the summer months when the calcite in the water causes it to practically glow with a vibrant turquoise hew. The trail is a moderate 3.2 km loop that is great for families, as long as you watch out for the prickly pear cactus.
Johns Family Nature Conservancy in Kelowna, British Columbia offers up truly inspiring views of Okanagan Lake and the beautiful scenery that surrounds it. This public park got its name when the area was scorched by a massive wildfire and the notable Johns Family decided to donate 323 hectares of land in order to conserve the rest of this pristine wilderness and let the public enjoy it as well. The park was therefore renamed from Cedar Mountain Park to its current title Johns Family Conservancy Regional Park(too long). Nowadays the park is a total of 402.5 hectares.
The Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve is a 553-hectare park with ample hiking trails and rock climbing spots. It is situated on the east side of the beautiful Kalamalka Lake in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, and is around 13 km south of the city of Vernon. The ecological reserve is right next door to the popular Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. The reserve has narrow canyons and a chain of six picturesque lakes along with wetland habitats that are perfect for wildlife viewing.
To witness the island of Mallorca, Spain and it’s incredible rugged majesty, check out Mirador Es Colomer. It is one of the island’s best sightseeing, hiking, and viewing spots. It is located up in the dramatic Sierra Tramuntana mountain range near Puerto Pollensa. Mirador Es Colomer features staircases to a lookout that is perched on toe-curling precarious cliffs that are over 300 meters above the crashing sea below.
SARA (Special Activities and Recreation Area) Park is an 1100-acre desert park Located in the beautiful city of Lake Havasu, Arizona. The park has several scenic hiking trails that lead you to amazing views of the lake and the vast expanses of deserts that surround it. The area contains unique and interesting wildlife including the peregrine falcon, coyote, fox, desert bighorn sheep, greater roadrunner, bobcat, cougar, and many kinds of lizards and reptiles.
