Cedar Mountain sits above the Mission area in south Kelowna. Surrounded by wineries and orchards and nestled up against Okanagan Mountain, it offers rich, textured views. If you’re looking for gorgeous scenery, get out and hike Cedar Mountain near Kelowna.
Hike Cedar Mountain Near Kelowna
Known previously as Cedar Mountain Regional Park, the mountain and its walking trails are now part of the Johns Family Nature Conservancy Park. The whole area experienced severe burning during the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park fire. Because of this history, Cedar Mountain also offers a unique vantage point for how ecosystems rebuild after a forest fire.
The Cedar Mountain trail winds its way around rocky outcrops and through steep canyons which are scenic in and of themselves. In the autumn months, the colours – oranges, reds and yellows – are truly spectacular. Once at the summit, hikers are rewarded with a panoramic view of Lake Okanagan.
Family-Friendly Trail
With its proximity to downtown Kelowna, hiking Cedar Mountain is an ideal half day adventure. It’s also a great option for families as it’s a relatively short, 4km hike round-trip. The final ascent is steep and littered with jagged rocks, but still manageable for children who are confident walking.
Directions To Trailhead:
Distance from downtown Kelowna to Trailhead: 30 minutes
Walking time: 1.5-2 hours return
Trail Length: 4km (round trip)
Elevation gain: 60m
GPS: Not required
Clear trail: Not always, but because the landscape is treeless, it’s difficult to get lost.
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