Locals' favourite snowshoe trails
Harper Mountain
TNRD/Mary Putnam
Snowshoeing is quickly becoming an affordable go-to winter activity for families and individuals. Kamloops' rolling hills and unique terrain make for a snowshoe paradise. Here are 5 must-try trails to explore around the city.
McConnell Lake
Olsen Imaging
McConnell Lake
3.5 km, approx 2 hours
McConnell Lake Provincial Park is about a scenic 30-minute drive southwest of Kamloops on Lac le Jeune Road. The trail around the Lake is relatively easy except for one short, but steep section. It's best done earlier in the season rather than later when the thaw/freeze cycle begins making it somewhat icy. This trail is suitable for the entire family including on-leash furry friends but watch for tree roots and rocks.
Panorama Trail, Kenna Cartwright Park
@hikekamloops
Panorama Trail
2.4 km, approx 1.25 hours
Located in Kenna Cartwright Park, the Panorama trailhead starts at the parking area behind the Bunker Road recycling station at the far west end of McGill Road. Panorama is rated by the City of Kamloops Parks as medium difficulty; however, it is overall quite easy. There are no steep climbs or tricky sections and the trail is suitable for all skill levels including dogs off-leash. As this trail meanders through the grasslands, the best time to explore is on calm days as it is very open and can be windy at times. The view of the valley at the end of this hike is spectacular.
Isobel Lake
@hikekamloops
Isobel Lake
4.3 km, approx 1-2 hours
The Isobel Lake Interpretive Trail is about a 40-minute drive north of Kamloops. This easy loop is a great length for an afternoon excursion and is made even more enjoyable by the many bridges, boardwalks, the Forest Inn picnic area, and fishing dock. This is a great trail for the whole family, as it is relatively flat with lots of benches and areas to rest. Isobel Lake is on-leash dog-friendly.
Harper Mountain
Mary Putnam
Harper Mountain
Family-owned and operated Harper Mountain Ski Resort lies about 30-minutes north of Kamloops off Paul Lake Road. There are six snowshoe trails to explore on the mountain that are all dog-friendly. A popular route is to take the 1 km Powder Highway down to the chairlift, ride the lift to the top, then snowshoe 2 km back down to the lodge. You'll be rewarded with some of the best views on the hill via this trail.
Snowshoe and pole rentals: $12 - $15
Snowshoeing trail passes: $10 - $20 (depending if includes chairlift access)
Stake Lake
Tamra Jaeger
Stake Lake
Stake Lake, located about a 25-minute drive from Kamloops along Lac le Jeune Road, offers 8 snowshoe trails for visitors to explore. A popular route is the Giant Fir trail - a 1.2 km trail that is relatively flat, easy, and protected from the elements by the older growth forest. There is one dog snowshoe trail (4 km) if you have your furry friend with you.
Snowshoe rentals: $10
Day pass for trails: $2.50 - $5.00
Snowshoeing not your thing? Kamloops has a number of other exciting winter activities, including skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and indoor activities such as restaurants, and arts and culture.
