1-day itinerary – Oliver B.C. #OkanaganExploring

Posted: Mon. May. 28/18

ZenSeekers is teaming up with partners across B.C.’s central region, the Okanagan. Our correspondents will bring you exceptional video, photos and stories to inspire you to #ExploreBC and have your very own #OkanaganExploring adventures.

Getting there From Vancouver

Drive: Oliver is about a four-and-half-hour drive (408 kms) from Vancouver on the Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 E and BC-3 E. Get directions here.

Fly: Pacific Coastal Airlines, WestJet and Air Canada fly from YVR into Kelowna many times daily. Car rental service is available at the terminal. Oliver is about 90 minutes by car.

You can also fly into Penticton and shorten the drive down to 30 mins.

Uncover what nature, art and wine have to do with Oliver

Morning – Head to the Oliver Visitor Centre, located along the Okanagan River inside a historic CPR railway station. Pick up some trail maps, an event listing and winery passport brochures. The Oliver Archives across the street also has lots of information on the history of the area.

Morning – Starting at the Visitor Centre, you can hop onto the 18.4-km Hike & Bike Trail that follows an old CPR rail line beside the Okanagan River, starting out from Lions Park. Pedestrian bridges connect both sides of the trail where you’ll hear birds, spot some turtles, indigenous plant life, and get great views of the valley.

Begin your #OkanaganExploring adventure by checking into Tourism Oliver's website.

Here are two more trails to check out. The Golden Mile Stamp Mill Trail, which starts at the Tinhorn Creek winery parking lot. Follow the dirt road straight up the vineyard as you walk by rows of vineyards. The trail will cut up the hillside, and you’ll reach a plateau along with the ruins of the old Stamp Mill. Bring a picnic and enjoy the valley views from this vantage point. (11 km return, elevation gain 200 m)

Photo: Rebecca Bollwitt

Or try the Nçaylintn (Ny-lin-tin) Bluff Hiking Trail (formerly McIntyre Bluff). Start out from Covert Farms. This gradual climb will take you to the top of the South Okanagan’s most recognizable rock formation. Get a bird’s eye view of the valley below, more than 300 m down to the Okanagan River below, and the area’s three main lakes: Vaseux, Tuc-El-Nuit, and Gallagher Lake. (7 km return, elevation gain 265 m)

Lunch or dinner– Oliver’s wine-growing region spans from Road 22, off Okanagan’s Highway 97 to the south, and Nçaylintn Bluff at the north end. Besides having tasting rooms, several of the wineries also serve lunch and dinner. One recommendation for lunch is the Rust Wine Co., along the Golden Mile Bench, which will start offering food this summer.

Afternoon – Check out the local art of Oliver, which you’ll find at most of Oliver’s wineries, giving you a good excuse to also sample some wines. Also, be sure to stroll along the main street where local retailers, including Beyond Bliss Day Spa, showcase local artists.

More things to do:

Check out Oliver’s event listings. There always something going on, from cooking classes and Music on the Patio at Hester Creek winery to long table community dinners and Yoga in the Vineyards.

Where to stay

The Lakeside Resort in Oliver, 6707 Lakeside Drive - This quaint family run resort has been operating on the shores of Tuc-El-Nuit lake since the 1940s with a tranquil park-like setting.

There are also many other accommodation options in the region. Check out the Wine Capital of Canada website.