Ride the Historic Grey Canal Trail
Perched high above Vernon, the Grey Canal Trail offers one of the most scenic rides in the North Okanagan. Follow the route of a historic irrigation canal past orchards, grasslands and quiet neighbourhoods while enjoying sweeping views of Okanagan Lake, Kalamalka Lake and the surrounding valley.
Whether you ride a short section or spend the day exploring, it’s one of those trails you’ll want to return to again and again.
A Trail with a Story
The Grey Canal was built in the early 1900s to bring irrigation water to Vernon orchards. Although the canal itself is long gone, much of its route has been preserved as a remarkable walking and cycling trail.
Today, volunteers, community groups and local governments continue to restore and expand this unique greenway, creating one of the North Okanagan’s signature recreational corridors.
Ride Highlights
- Spectacular views of Okanagan and Kalamalka lakes
- Historic Grey Canal corridor
- Orchards, vineyards and grasslands
- Quiet neighbourhood connections
- Excellent birdlife and wildflowers in season
- Easy connections to additional Vernon trails
The People Behind the Trail
Much of what visitors enjoy today is thanks to decades of work by dedicated volunteers. The Grey Canal forms an important piece of Greater Vernon’s growing network of connected trails and helps illustrate the kind of regional cycling infrastructure envisioned through projects like the Trail of the Okanagans.
Special thanks to JP Squire for allowing me to share his article, and to Ingrid Neumann and the Ribbons of Green Trails Society for everything they continue to do for Greater Vernon trails.
Some trails are memorable because of where they take you. The Grey Canal is memorable because it changes the way you see Vernon.
~ Colleen
plan your ride
- View all Vernon routes on a Google map
- Ride the westside Grey Canal with RideWithGPS
Planning to explore the Grey Canal and other Vernon area trails?
For detailed maps with things to see along the way, and connecting routes, pick up a copy of Let’s Go Biking to the Okanagan & Beyond. Available in BC bookstores, bikeshops and gift shops or order book and ebook online at Let’s Go Biking Books.
