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Westbank,BC and the Westside
 Introduction to the Westside and its growing businesses and amenities.
Business Showcase
 You don't have to cross the bridge to find us - a showcase of businesses, products, and services available on the Westside.
Experience the Outdoors
 Walking and hiking trails, water fun, and winter adventures in Westbank, BC, the Westside and surrounding area.
Buying and Selling a Home
Selecting a real estate agent, preparing your home for sale, nine sneaky clutter spots, moving tips, choosing a home in the Okanagan, and more.
Experience Westbank!
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Strolling and Walking, Hiking Flat and Hiking High in and around Westbank, BC
 "From the lakeshores to the mountain tops, the beauty of this land is breathtaking."
Westbank, British Columbia boasts a large number of fascinating trails for everyone from the casual walker to the experienced hiker. A person doesn't have to go far to discover a wide variety of wildflowers, trees, birds, fish (look for the Kokanee salmon in late September), and wildlife. If you are lucky, you may even spot a golden eagle flying overhead or a painted turtle sunning itself in the reeds (but please leave it alone).
Please remember to practice "safe hiking." Wear appropriate head and footware (a sun hat in the summer is especially useful), bring along a snack or lunch, drinking water, and sunlotion. Pack out everything you pack in. Please don't leave trash on our trails. Dogs are allowed on some of the trails; remember to pick up after them (the shoes of others will thank you). Let someone know where you are going. Also keep in mind, that Westbank is surrounded by wilderness. Keep your eyes open for bears, cougars, deer, rattlesnakes, and low-flying Canada geese.
This page is going to continue to grow over time. Our plans are to walk and/or hike each of the trails we post. We'll be sure to bring our camera just in case we spot something wonderful.
Disclaimer: Please remember to hike safe. Consider your level of fitness, the terrain, the weather, the wildlife, and the expertise/age of those you are hiking with. Since conditions of trails change over time, we do not guarantee the accuracy of our information. Hike at your own risk.
Happy trails!
PS: We are not experts when it comes to the names of the various plants and wildlife which are abundant in the area. So, if we happen to make a mistake, or you know the correct name, please tell us. If we have missed some important information or history about one of the local trails, Let us know, we would love to post it.
Trail Ratings
For Strolling and Walking: These trails are easy walking trails - great for an early morning, late afternoon, or evening walk. Several of them are wheelchair accessible. As for strollers, bring along the little walkers - they will enjoy the fresh air too.
Hiking Flat: These trails are easy to medium hiking trails, in other words - mostly flat.
Hiking High: Get ready to climb! Hiking high means that we are headed up and down some mountain hills. Hike safe - keep your eyes open for natural hazards!
Gellatly Road and Area
 One of my favorite places to start experiencing Westbank is along Gellatly Road. When we first moved here we were delighted to discover this beautiful, FLAT, historical, walking trail along Okanagan Lake. An early morning stroll (or jog) with the sun coming up over the mountains is a great way to start the day. From the parking lot at Gellatly Bay (by the CPR Wharf) it is possible to enjoy a nice long walk all the way to the Gellatly Nut Farm (on Whitworth Road), a treasure all on its own. You can continue walking past the nut farm to the end of Whitworth Road (past a number of beautiful homes along the lake) to Pebble Beach Regional Park at the end of the road. My parents do this walk in just over an hour and a half. If you feel like adding a bit of a climb to your walk, continue walking down Gellatly Road (instead of turning left onto Whitworth). You'll walk past the Bylands Nursary property on your left, Power's Creek on right, and up the hill to the Gellatly Heritage Regional Park. From here, you can enjoy the stunning views across Okanagan Lake, Okanagan Mountain and Goat's Peak.
If you are looking for a shorter walk, pop into Rotary Trails, a short nature walk and picnic area on the other side of Gellatly Road across from the Westbank Yacht Club.
- Gellatly Bay area and the CPR Wharf:
Discover some of the early history of Westbank along this popular lakeside trail. Remember to bring your bathing suit.
- Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park:
After spending some time at Gellatly Bay beach, you will also want to check out the Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park just a five minute drive away.
- Gellatly Heritage Regional Park:
Since you are in the area, why not head up the hill and walk through the Gellatly Heritage Regional Park? This quiet little park is home to a log barn, a small family cemetary, and a beautiful view across Okanagan Lake and Goat's Peak.
- Westside Community Park (at Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Center):
This short walk with a beautiful view of the lake and Kelowna takes you past an apple orchard, poderosa pines, and sumac trees. Please respect the private propety signs.
 Shannon Lake
- Shannon Lake Regional Park:
This short trail takes you about half way around Shannon Lake. Look for a variety of wildlife including painted turtles, mallard ducks, american coots, osprey, and if you are lucky, a ruddy duck (with a bright blue bill - we've only seen this fellow once) or a bald eagle.
Glen Canyon (Powers Creek) Regional Park
The communities of Westbank and Glenrosa share a huge 74 hectare spectacular park. Glen Canyon is home to lovely Powers Creek, sculptured cliffs, hidden canyons and glens filled with jade-green reeds. In sandy soil or moist places, you may see the prints of deer and coyote, as well as those of a handful of large, more famous predators. You’ll see a multitude of birds you might not see in most places. This park could attract a dedicated wildlife photographer with a set of special lenses and the patience to stalk the Wild Things for days on end...
- Glen Canyon (north of Highway 97) in Glenrosa:
 
This park is an example of the foresight of community leaders in setting aside a truly important place. Glen Canyon is home to several ecological subsystems both high and dry, moist and mysterious. Parts of this natural area are rugged. Be prepared and hike with a friend.
- Glen Canyon (south of Highway 97) in Westbank:
The lower section of Glen Canyon Regional Park reaches uphill from the fish ladders on Gellatly Road and is interrupted by a stretch of private land, then resumes through a forested area just below Highway 97. Be prepared to spend an hour wandering past blackberry bushes, snowberries, waterfalls, and ponderosa pine.
Telemark Trails during the "green" months!
- Telemark Trails: Just because the snow is gone doesn't mean you shouldn't experience the beauty of the Telemark Trails. Look for wildflowers and other surprises on these popular trails.
McDougall Rim Trail
- McDougall Rim Trail:
A falcon-eye view of Rose Valley and Kelowna - be prepared to enter a whole new world.
Rose Valley and West Kelowna Estates
Rose Valley Park is laced with easy-to-follow trails throughout its hillside forest, and includes within its higher elevation areas, Rose Valley Dam. This dam and its surrounding watershed, supplies drinking water to the hundreds of homes within Lake Irrigation District. Hikes throughout the park can be as short as a few minutes or as long as an entire day.
- Rose Valley Pond:
When you’re in a hurry, take a thirty-minute tranquility break at Rose Valley Pond. Remember to bring your little ones, and keep your eyes open for the Yellow Headed Black Bird.
- West of Rose Valley Reservoir (lower trails):
These are the trails which are accessed from Rosewood off Westlake Road.
- Magnificent Rose Valley Regional Park:
Casa Loma and Lakeview Heights
- Kalamoir Regional Park:
Down on the lakeshore, Kalamoir Regional Park, accessible from Casa Loma or Lakeview Heights, offers another world entirely, one of gently lapping waves and long, shady pathways through the trees along the edge of Lake Okanagan.
- Eain Lamont Community Park:
Accessing Mount Boucherie from Eain Lamont Park gives you that great “On-top-of-the-world” feeling as you look out over the Lake from high among the pines.
- Mount Boucherie Regional Park:
Note: this park is currently closed. If you decide to walk here, stay on the paths. There are dangerous areas, particularly the rocky slopes and bluffs.
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