Naramata (population: 2,000) is a quiet community with no traffic lights. Ramble along tree-shaded streets and absorb lake and mountain vistas and extravagant sunsets.
Unplug and rejuvenate by swimming from sandy beaches, fishing mountain lakes, sipping acclaimed vintages at the wineries and vineyards of the Naramata Bench, shopping for fresh produce at farms and markets, browsing art galleries for the works of local artists or hiking and mountain biking the forest trails.
The call of the outdoors is irresistible in Naramata. With Okanagan Lake framing the village to the west, sandy beaches beckon swimmers and sun-soakers. The rugged highland terrain to the north and east, with its secluded mountain lakes and forested trails, invites anglers, hikers and mountain bikers. The Trans Canada Trail passes above Naramata on the former Kettle Valley Railway line.
Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park
Nearby Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park is a wilderness area that hosts an array of wildlife from bald eagles to black bears, where hikers can trek historic trails, campers can pitch a tent in the backcountry and anglers can cast a line for trout.
Fruit Orchards in Naramata
Naramata was founded on agriculture. Savvy developer JM Robinson recognized the potential for cultivating soft fruit orchards on the sun-drenched clay bank terraces rising from Okanagan Lake and beginning in 1907, sold his idea to gentlemen farmers from Eastern Canada and Britain.
Naramata Bench and Vineyards
The tradition continues with the latest evolution to grape growing. The Naramata Bench is now recognized as a distinct wine region within the Okanagan Valley appellation.
Cittaslow
Citizens of Naramata are determined to retain the slow, easy ambiance that makes their village a unique destination in the Okanagan. They have formalized their efforts with accreditation by Cittaslow, an international organization founded in Orvieto, Italy and born from the Slow Food movement.
Core values include celebrating and supporting cultural diversity and the individual specialties of the town while resisting the fast lane, homogenized world of large urban centres.
Heritage Sites
Naramata offers a little over a century of history to explore. Like other Okanagan communities such as Peachland and Summerland, Naramata was actually a planned community carefully designed by developer JM Robinson.
Naramata Heritage Museum
Artefacts and heritage photographs at the Naramata Heritage Museum chronicle village history, featuring tent houses of the first inhabitants, the Naramata Inn, the orchard industry, construction of the Kettle Valley Railway, regattas, theatrical performances and the tradition of the Maypole Dance.
Naramata Walking Tour
Glimpse highlights of area history in murals at the museum and the packinghouse or experience it with stops at the Naramata Heritage Inn and Spa; the walking pier at Wharf Park, where sternwheelers docked when Okanagan Lake was Naramata's main transportation route; and the tunnels, trestles and rock ovens of the Kettle Valley Railway.
Arts Scene
Naramata is attracting a growing colony of artists who often take inspiration from the surrounding landscape and incorporate grape and orchard motifs into their work. Paintings, sculpture, pottery, glasswork and jewelry are displayed in studios and unusual gallery settings such as wineries, B&Bs and sculpture gardens.
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