Difficulty: Medium

Rating: 4/5

Duration: 2hr / 2-5km

Accessibility: Car

Spion Kop

Description:

Spion Kop is a short steep hike with an incredible pay-off. At the summit you will see Kalamalka Lake, Okanagan Lake, and Wood Lake. From the summit, the views appears as if painted; it is the best view you can get from a short hike.

There are two trailheads for this hike that branch off into a larger trail network. The trails are not well marked and it is very possible to miss the summit entirely. If you get lost on your way, here are the coordinates to the summit. Use these to make sure the path you're on is leading you the right way!

This hike is car accessible from a street road. For those in Lake Country, this is the perfect morning or after work adventure. We recommend starting from the Upper-Lakes Trailhead. For new-intermediate hikers looking for a more gradual (but still steep) trail take the Arrowleaf Trail to the Red-Yellow Connector to the Summit Trail.

For those looking for a challenge there is an unmarked path that will take you to the summit in under 30 minutes. It's a straight shot from the Upper-Lakes Trailhead to the summit, but it features an incredible incline that will make even the most experienced hikers ache.

Directions:

This hike is approximately 32 minutes drive from Kelowna or 25 minutes from Vernon.

  1. Coming from Kelowna, drive approximately 25.4km North along Highway 97 towards Vernon.
  2. Turn left at the Tim Hortons in Lake Country onto Oceola Rd and drive for 1.1km.
  3. Turn right onto Lake Hill Dr, and follow it for 0.85km.
  4. Turn left onto Shoreline Dr.
  5. Turn left onto Apex Dr.
  6. After 0.7km then left onto an unmarked road with signs for the Spion Kop trailhead.
  7. Follow the gravel road up to the right until you reach a parking area.

 

*This route is now available on GoogleMaps!

GPS Coordinates:

  • Summit: 50.084591, -119.423795
  • Upper-Lakes Trailhead: 50.078866, -119.418382
  • Raven Ridge Trailhead: 50.085192, -119.438048

 

features:

  • Multi-Lake views
  • Dog friendly
  • Jogging trail
  • Full cell service