A scenic new multi-use trail connecting Peachland and West Kelowna had its grand opening on June 20.
The 2.7-kilometre pathway, celebrated with a ribbon-cutting, offers cyclists and pedestrians a safe, off-highway route from downtown Peachland to the entrance of Goat’s Peak Regional Park in West Kelowna.
It includes paved pathways, directional signs, and a peaceful rest area featuring a circle of stones — an idea proposed by the Trail of the Okanagans (TOTO), one of several groups behind the project.
“This is not just a trail to let us travel safely on a busy transportation route,” said Peachland Mayor Patrick Van Minsel. “It is also a spectacularly beautiful experience with scenery that takes your breath away. This is a connection that has joined us but will bring people to our communities.”
The pathway was made possible through partnerships across all levels of government and the advocacy of groups such as TOTO, and the Gellatly Bay Trails and Parks Society.
The route includes off-street multi-use pathways and a segment of bikeway along Drought Road. Visitors can park along Beach Avenue and follow signs to the trailhead.
The trail is part of a larger vision—a 250-kilometre multi-use trail system connecting communities from Sicamous in the north to Osoyoos in the south. When complete, the network—which includes the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail, the Okanagan Rail Trail, and the Trail of the Okanagans — is expected to be both a recreational destination and an economic driver for the valley.
Funding included $920,200 from B.C.’s Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants and $356,400 from the Government of Canada’s Active Transportation Fund.
