(This is the eighth column in a series about the best trails to explore, city by city, regional district by regional district, in the Southern Interior.)

Trails in the Regional District of North Okanagan have history, lots of history.

From the Okanagan Rail Trail to the Grey Canal Trail, there is much to explore. Since the designation of the Trails Capital of B.C. in 1923, the RDNO has acquired even more trails, currently there is approximately 87 kilometres of trails compared to 50 kilometres two years ago, according to RDNO communications officer Stacey Raftus.

“We’re incredibly proud to offer a diverse network of high-quality trails throughout the North Okanagan. These trails reflect our commitment to outdoor recreation, community well-being and the natural beauty that makes our region unique.”

The most popular trail by far is the historic Okanagan Rail Trail, which encompasses regional district territory as well as the District of Coldstream. The Okanagan Indigenous People’s nysyilxcn name for the trail route is xwi? i? sw?k?na?qin, meaning “road of the Okanagan People.” Long before its use as a rail line, the syilx Okanagan people occupied and used this area for hunting, fishing, gathering, social and ceremonial purposes.

The rail line from Sicamous was initially built as a section of the Canadian Northern Railway.........

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