Hiking Peach Cliff in Okanagan Falls, BC

NOTICE – September 2017: Due to people taking their ATVs on this trail and destroying the area, the landowners have built a new fence at the trailhead. There is still a narrow walk-through gate for people to use; however please respect this beautiful and sensitive areas. Pack out your trash and stay on the trails.

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Peach Cliff mountain is well known landmark in Okanagan Falls, BC. We hiked through this area two years ago and while some aspects of our last hike were still fresh in my memory, others weren’t. I did remember how to access the trail head which is located off McLean Creek Road, close to Okanagan Falls. There is no signage marking the trail and not much parking either. Look for a fence and cattle gate beside which is small parking spot.

There are some really interesting things to see along the Peach Cliff trails which makes it a great place for families to explore. Near the beginning of the hike there is a structure filled with coring samples and a little past this structure, following a trail going left, there is a pond. This pond is what remains of Dusty Mac mine, an open pit gold mine that produced a significant amount of gold in the later part of the twentieth century. Sometimes, like on our recent visit, the pond has large schools of goldfish coloring the water orange.

Continuing on the wide trail there is plenty of beautiful flora to appreciate. Just past the pond there is the small trail veering left from the main trail is not marked by signage. At best of times there are only a few rocks and logs pointing hikers in the proper direction. 

Note (added September 2017): If you take the small left veering trail (as described above) it will continue up to the gate and trail which leads to the grind to Peach Cliff. However, recent ATV use in the area has created a new fork in this trail. When you see this fork, go right.

If miss the small trail (no worries!) you will eventually see a gate put in place by the Nature Trust marking off part of the Okanagan Falls Biodiversity Ranch. Just past the gate look for a left veering trail that goes south. This trail will bring you by a cave and large dead tree. If you find yourself going downhill you’ve likely missed this trail gone too far.

The trail leading up to the top of Peach Cliff starts near a large metal gate through which you must climb. The final trail up is a grind but doable even for younger kids. The view from the top of Peach Cliff is amazing.

This hike, from the parking lot to the peak, taking the first left veering trail (see directions above) is 4.5 km and takes about two hours to complete. Here is a link to our route.