Discover Vernon, BC – officially named the Trails Capital of BC, with over 500 km of hiking and biking trails. Explore Vernon’s perfect combination of outdoor recreation and craft beer, featuring top trails like the Okanagan Rail Trail and local breweries BNA Brewing Co. and Silverstar Brewing Company. Experience the ultimate beer hiking destination in British Columbia’s beautiful Okanagan Valley.
Tapping Into the Trails Capital of BC
One of the best things about writing about hiking and craft beer in Western Canada is the inspiration to keep exploring places I haven’t yet been. When I wrote Beer Hiking Canadian Rockies, I included small towns I was led to because of their local craft breweries. I then had the task to pair a brew with a nearby hike — a fun and refreshing way to get to know both the locals and their landscape.
That book covered the Rockies, so regrettably, Vernon wasn’t within its scope. But this constellation of hiking, biking and experiential trails, plus Vernon’s star breweries, is now squarely on my radar—especially since Vernon, with its 500 km of trails, was officially named the Trails Capital of BC in 2023.
I’m more than happy to shine a light on this region for others, whether they’re visiting from across the country or from just down the road. From my home base in Banff, where the streets and trails are often heaving with visitors, it’s invigorating to discover just how much Vernon offers as an outdoor playground. It’s the kind of place that warrants full attention—and I’m always keen to encourage some well-deserved geographical dispersion in tourism!
Vernon is a great example of how trails, from the rocky and rugged to smooth wheelchair-friendly pavement, shape a community. The Trails Capital designation was granted by the Canadian Registrar of Trademarks and highlights the collective effort of local government, the Ribbons of Green Trails Society, businesses, and volunteers in developing this extensive system. As Hannah Lucich of Tourism Vernon explains,
“Trails are a great way to connect the community to our natural environment in all seasons. From cross-country ski trails to multi-use pathways connecting downtown to our trail networks, there is truly a trail for everyone here.”
A quick click on Tourism Vernon’s new interactive trail map makes it easy to choose a hike and the right level of challenge. I home in on the Okanagan Rail Trail — a route that feels tailor-made for a beer hike. It hugs the scenic shores of Kalamalka, Wood and Ellison (Duck) Lakes, winding past colourful cliffs, forests, vineyards, and orchards. Even better, the trailhead is just a couple of kilometres from BNA Brewing Co., housed in a converted warehouse space.
Founded in 2015, BNA Brewing is owned by Kyle and Carolyn Nixon, locals who’ve steadily turned the original location in Kelowna into one of the city’s most popular gathering spots. Their second location in Vernon opened this year. It’s all craft beer brewed in-house, retro vibes and fun and games. Think ten-pin and duck-pin bowling, vintage arcade games, bocce, and even a vintage milk truck bar.
With BNA’s recent partnership with Crannóg Ales, I’ve got my eye on their iconic Back Hand of God stout, brewed with organic ingredients and hops from Crannóg’s Left Fields organic farm—a perfect post-trail reward. And now that BNA has released their new Extra Pale Ale on tap and in cans, I know exactly what I’ll be packing to bring a taste of Vernon home with me!
In my experience, breweries are more than places to grab a pint—they’re an immediate entry point into the local vibe. You’re likely to find feature beers that reflect regional flavours, stories shared across tables, and people still dusty from the trail, swapping recommendations for the next best hike or ride.
And speaking of rides….
Another search on the interactive trail map for a not-too-difficult-but-still-rewarding bike route leads me to Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and the Lookout Trail. I’m always up for a bit of a climb if it ends with a sweeping panoramic views of Kalamalka Lake and Cosens Bay.
That kind of workout only makes the post-ride pint taste better, especially at Vernon’s other standout craft brewery, Silverstar Brewing Company. Formerly known as Marten Brewing, it officially rebranded last summer under new ownership led by Pardeep “PJ” Jaswat. Silverstar has rolled out cans of its seasonal Tutti Frutti IPA, Very Berry Touch Sour, and the new Sling it Light Lager, a sleek 3.7% collaboration with golf influencer Mac Boucher that’s already landing at golf courses across Southern BC.
Vernon makes beer hiking easy. In fact, it’s like the city curated the experience just for me. Its network of trails includes several urban Multi-Use Pathways allowing visitors to explore Vernon by bike or on foot with ease. The 3km Polson Greenway along 30th Street connects to the Polson Park Path, creating a scenic route to travel between Silverstar Brewing and BNA Brewing.
Fun fact: Vernon was an early adopter of BC’s craft beer scene back in the 1980s. Okanagan Spring Brewery, founded here in 1985, was one of the first large-scale operations in the province and, while smaller microbreweries paved the way, it helped bring locally brewed beer to a wider market.
Another way to experience urban Vernon by ‘trail’ is on the Pour and Explore Loop — created by Tourism Vernon in partnership with local beverage producers. This immersive route connects six stops—the two breweries, Planet Bee’s Honeymoon Mead, Cambium Cider Co, The Perch Winery and Okanagan Spirits Distillery—each offering its own brand of local flavour.
In Vernon, trails and taps go hand in hand. After time on the trail— whether you’re chasing sweeping viewpoints, cruising rail beds, or coasting through open meadows—a locally made beer offers a satisfying way to reflect, recharge and soak up the spirit of the place.
The region’s reputation as a trail town is well-earned. I’ve got my routes mapped and my pints picked out. I can’t wait to experience it all for myself!
Every Pint Tells a Story
