Picture this: you step outside with your running shoes on and are greeted by the majestic morning sun casting light on the distant mountains. After you complete your trail run or race, you jump into Okanagan Lake, and the cold water resets your whole body. Then you crush a stack of pancakes topped with local fruit at a café. 

Sounds pretty good, right? That’s just a taste of what a running vacation (also known as a runcation) in Kelowna could be like. If you need more convincing, here’s an overview of what’s on offer if you come to Kelowna for a running vacation.

Why Choose Kelowna for a Running Vacation

^{Photo: Ken Hagen}.

Kelowna is a great choice for a running vacation because it has a wide variety of terrain in a relatively short distance, stunning natural scenery everywhere you look, and four-season appeal. 

Between the mountains, lakes, vineyards, forests, and desert-like grasslands, you can fit recovery runs, road running, trail running, and elevation work into the same trip without much driving.

It also helps that winter in Kelowna is mild relative to the rest of Canada, our shoulder seasons are long, and our summers are warm, making it a great destination to get active outdoors year-round.

Best Scenic Running Routes in Kelowna

Here are a few running routes in Kelowna with gentle elevation and lovely views:

Top Trails for Trail Running

Many of Kelowna’s hiking trails double as excellent routes for trail and mountain running, so you’ll never run short on options.

For mountain running, check out Knox Mountain Park, which has 15 marked trails totalling over 20 km of terrain. It’s particularly popular in spring and fall when temperatures are cooler.

Over in West Kelowna, the McDougall Rim Trail in Rose Valley Regional Park is a challenging 20 km loop with 1,127 m (3,697 ft) of elevation gain, technical terrain, and sweeping views over Okanagan Lake. The trail experienced wildfires in 2023 and is regenerating beautifully, so runners are encouraged to stick to marked paths and respect the recovering landscape.

For a quieter trail running experience, the Smith Creek Trails wind through 15 km (9.32 mi) of mixed ponderosa pine forest with elevated routes and wide valley views. Depending on your chosen route, expect elevation gains between 400 and 700 m (1,312 to 2,296 ft). The trails are shared with mountain bikers, so stay alert and follow right-of-way etiquette on the way through.

For longer trail runs with more elevation—like the last two we mentioned—bring plenty of water and start early in the day if you can, as these trails can be hot and dry in peak summer afternoons.

If you’d rather explore Kelowna’s running scene alongside locals who know the routes best, the city has a thriving run club community you can tap into.

Join the Local Running Community

Kelowna’s run clubs have a very welcoming atmosphere, and are a great way to get a local perspective on the city and discover new routes while you’re here. 

All the run clubs listed below are free to join:

• That’s That Fit Club meets at 7 pm on Wednesdays at Red Bird Brewing. It’s a fun 5 km (3.1 mi) run with short workouts along the way to break things up. Arrive at least 10 minutes in advance for the safety demo and warm-up.
• Stride with pride and join That Gay Run Club for 5 km (3.1 mi) of running, walking, or jogging at Rustic Reel Brewing Company on Thursdays at 6:30 pm. All paces and identities are welcome!
• Barn Owl Brewing hosts Never Miss a Monday Run Club every Monday at 6 pm for 30-40 minutes of movement. 
• Okanagan parkrun blends the community feel of a run club with the structure of a running event. Every Saturday at 9 am, runners and walkers gather behind Parkinson Recreation Centre to tackle a timed 5 km (3.1 mi) route organized by volunteers.

Keep in mind: Some running clubs operate all year, and some just go from spring to fall, and some ask that you sign up online before arriving. We highly recommend taking a look at their website or social media before you go.

Plan Your Trip Around a Race

Kelowna running events make it worthwhile to plan a trip around the starting line.

Held each June, the Kelowna Wine Country Half Marathon includes multiple race distances (5 km, 10 km and 21 km). It delivers epic vineyard and lake views along the route, and finishes with a fun post-race celebration complete with wine. No wonder it’s such a popular event!

In August is the Argus Apple Triathlon, which offers standard, relay, sprint, or super sprint registration options. The Apple race series continues into the fall with Kelowna’s only certified marathon event, the Argus Apple Marathon. Sign up for a full or half marathon, or an 8 km (4.97 mi), and turn race day into a fall getaway. 

After race day, all that’s left to do is recover well, eat well, and enjoy the rest of your stay in Kelowna.

Plan Your Runcation in Kelowna

With your pick of trails and waterfront paths, plenty of run clubs and races to participate in, and a plethora of ways to relax and refuel when you’re not running, Kelowna is a prime Canadian destination for a runcation. Check our ultimate guide to athlete health and recovery in Kelowna for local spas, wellness experiences, and other recovery-focused recommendations. 

Start planning your running vacation in Kelowna and explore routes, events, and places to stay.