Coldstream Valley Estates

Coldstream Valley Trails 

Trail rating: Easy

The Grey Canal system encircled the Valley for 50 km delivering water to farms and orchards from the early 1900s to the 1970s now shows off the sweet country charm of the Coldstream Valley.  

Look for signs of history and enjoy any one of the Grey Canal trail sections for a quick leg stretch with magnificent, panoramic valley scenery or combine all three. Sunrise and sunset hikes are exceptional here. The Coldstream Ranch, one of BC's largest and oldest working ranches, sprawls below. 

Coldstream Valley Estates to East Vernon

Easy Trail Section - .65 km 

In a 15-minute hike you have a view of the expansive landscape from Kalamalka Lake through Coldstream and Vernon to Swan Lake. 

There’s variety of attractive native shrubs along the trail:

Look for:  mixed native tree species of Black Cottonwood, Trembling Aspen and Douglas Maple on Crown Land. 

Watch for: In May and June honeysuckle, hawthorn, Saskatoon, roses and Red-osier Dogwood flowers decorate the path. 

Watch for: Small birds flit and chip through the trees while raptors and swallows soar in the updrafts. Swallowtails and many other butterflies flutter among the Blue Lupines and hillside wildflowers.

Moderate Trail Section: follow the sign up a steady slope for a nice cardio workout to a viewpoint bench.

Coldstream Centennial Project

The Coldstream Valley views are viewing an ancient volcanic core while Bluenose Mountain looms ahead.

Start on the north end of this .9 km section of the historic Grey Canal. It follows the ditch walkers' berm and is bounded by the prominent white fences of the Coldstream Estates. 

Look for: Saskatoon and lush rose shrubbery. A lovely arched willow bower and shady cottonwoods offering respite on a hot summer's day. 

Look for: Tall Showy Milkweed (it's not a weed) grows along the trail. Its large- headed clusters of lovely pinky-white fragrant flowers bloom in June.

Carry on .2 km (.12 mi) up road to the next section of the Grey Canal or return to parking.

Coldstream Valley Estates to Coldstream Ranch

Follow an old ranch road along Vernon Hill's grassy slope for a supreme view of the Coldstream Valley and Bluenose Mountain. It's wide open wide trail makes it a great choice for groups.

Blue Lupines, Wild Sunflowers and other grassland wildflowers decorate the slope in spring.

If you're lucky, a massive Golden Eagle may rise up and float along the hillside above you.

Walk right in the old Grey Canal ditch built with rocks and reinforced with concrete. The 2.5 km trail takes you to a cottonwood creek gully filled with bird calls and a cattle-worn creek. Look up to the left on the far side for remains of Grey Canal flume.

You can view the Coldstream Valley Estates map here.