 Hiking near Kamloops, Tourism Kamloops photo
River's Trail One of the easiest hikes in Kamloops is River's Trail, which runs along the South Thompson River with view of the city's downtown and Riverside Park. Begin the trail near the Interior Savings Centre and follow the path either right or left. Turning right leads to a 5km/3mi trail that passes several sculptures and a nature park with information signs, while turning left leads to a 16km/10mi trail that weaves through Riverside Park and crosses the Overlander Bridge to Schubert Drive and the North Thompson River. River's Trail is mostly flat and paved.
Kenna Cartwright Nature Park Intermediate hiking is available at Kenna Cartwright Nature Park on the southwest part of the city, only a short distance from downtown Kamloops. More than 40km/24mi of gentle trails cover the nature park, with difficulty ratings (influenced by elevation change) clearly indicated on maps located at trail junctions. To get to Kenna Cartwright Nature Park take the Trans Canada Highway towards Vancouver until Exit #366, head north along Copperhead Drive, and then west along Hillside Drive to the main entrance.
Peterson Creek Park Located in the heart of downtown Kamloops, Peterson Creek Park (423ha/1045ac) has 30km/19mi of gentle nature trails, with some steep switchbacks. Bridal Veil Falls is a great place to cool off while getting a good panoramic city view from higher elevated trails. Keep an eye out for the occasional bear. Peterson Creek Park is located just behind the Kamloops Law Courts off of Columbia Street, and trail distances are found on detailed park maps at the Columbia Street and Summit Drive entrances.
Lac Du Bois Provincial Park For a taste of the high desert, hike the grasslands of Lac Du Bois Provincial Park. Access the park from behind the Bachelor Heights neighborhood, by taking Bachelor Drive, which is a continuation of 8th Street on the North Shore. The upper grasslands are in full-colour bloom during June and July, but don't get too distracted, hiking any desert land requires keen attention to surroundings, especially in rattlesnake inhabited territory.
Mara Mountain Hike Mara Mountain for a close up view of hoodoos, majestic sandstone spires formed from centuries of erosion. Mara Mountain's intermediate-level trail moves through unique vegetation shifts ranging from cactus and sage to forest and grassland. To reach the trailhead, take Tranquille Road past the airport and turn onto Red Lake Road. Cross the railroad tracks and veer right onto a gravel road, a couple of hundred metres/feet to the parking lot. Find out more about hiking in and around Kamloops, including trail difficulty ratings at the Kamloops Visitor Centre.
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