Grey Canal Historic Trail

Grey Canal Historic Trail

Trail rating: Easy with moderate sections

Vernon's Grey Canal trail is a hiking, biking and horseback riding wilderness trail that follows the old Grey Canal irrigation system alignment around Vernon.

History of the Trail

The Grey Canal was built by Lord and Lady Aberdeen. In 1905, they began an extensive project to move water from lakes on highlands southeast of Vernon, across the Coldstream Valley and along the benchlands that circle Vernon to Okanagan Lake. It was completed in 1914, at a cost of $423,000. The Grey Canal played an important role in the sub-division of ranchlands and orchards.

At one time, it supplied water to the largest irrigation district in BC delivering more water than the system that supplied to the City of Vancouver in 1938. By 1963, rising costs led to replacing ditches with buried pipes and by 1970, it was no longer in use.

Today

Sections of the 50 km Grey Canal route can now be used for hiking, biking, horseback riding and snowshoeing. The Grey Canal is visible as horizontal lines carved into the hillsides above the valley. 

Below them you will view orchards, farms, communities and the City of Vernon. As you explore the route, you will discover the remains of the canal and its elaborate system of ditches, pipes and flumes.

Enjoy any one of the four Grey Canal Trail sections with stunning scenery and a panoramic view of the valley.

Visit the Ribbons of Green Trails Society's website for information and links to their online mapping system.

For more information on the Grey Canal Trail, please email Tourism Vernon.