It’s Picnic Season in Oliver!
With temps rising this month into the mid-20’s, it’s officially picnic season here in Oliver, BC.
Oliver, a bountiful rolling valley nestled in between Osoyoos and Penticton, is comprised of vineyards, orchards, and farms as well as some of the most amazing world class culinary and wine tasting experiences you can have here in Canada.
You will also find an abundance of outdoor spaces to enjoy and explore including hiking trails, biking routes, parks, lakes, and quaint places to dip your toes into the water and cool off along the Okanagan River Channel.
If you’ve not yet discovered Oliver, let us give you a taste of the amazing ways to spend time here with our new itinerary features!
Picnic in Canada’s Wine Country
Ride Along the Okanagan River Channel!
Oliver’s Hike and Bike Path is a beautiful place to spend time at any time of the year, but especially in spring when everything comes alive. Birds chatter away, buds begin to flourish, and the breeze carries the sweet scent of cherry, peach, and apple blossoms around the valley.
The International Hike and Bike Trail is its official name, and it runs from the parking lot at Highway 97 at Tucelnuit Drive for 18.5 kilometres to Osoyoos Lake. You can ride the entire west side of the channel and return on the east side up until a certain point.
You can either switch over to the west side of the channel at the bridge near the Visitor Centre or you can continue on the east side and detour to Tucelnuit Drive when the path dead-ends at the pump house.
The beauty of Oliver’s Hike and Bike Path is that it changes. You can choose your experience. Much of the trail is paved on the west side. Most is dirt or gravel on the east.
A section between Thorp Road and Road 9 on the east side of the channel is narrow and tree-covered, a perfect place for a picnic! If you’re into bird watching you may want to pack your camera and explore the Oxbows entrance at Road 22.
You can access the trail at various locations including Highway 97, Park Rill Road, the Oliver Visitor Centre, Fairview Road, Thorp Road, Road 9, Road 18, and Road 22. You may also want to exit the trail at these points to go visit wineries!
Ride a bike or an e-bike, take a guided tour and visit wineries, walk, or even horseback ride. Stop and picnic along the way and go for a swim. There are many ways to enjoy Oliver’s Hike and Bike Trail!
Many parts of the Hike and Bike Trail are also accessible with ramps and paved paths.
Pack A Picnic from Oliver Eats
Oliver Eats is a neat warehouse-style grocery shop located in the heart of Oliver. It’s pretty hip! They make sandwiches, salads, and soups fresh daily. You can eat outside at well-spaced tables or you can pack your lunch to go on a hike or a picnic.
They make a lovely charcuterie platter with deli meats, cheeses, olives, dried fruits, and pickles. Add some luscious oranges and sweet Okanagan apples to the mix too.
Great idea for a romantic picnic with your honey don’t you think? You would certainly earn serious points with your your significant other if you planned an outing like this in wine country!
Oliver Eats also sells an array of grocery items ranging from fresh veggies and fruit, artisan cheese and deli meats to frozen meat, fresh fish, and dry and canned goods. You can also pick up fresh ready-made veggie boxes and family meals.
They cater too in case you’re planning a future special event here in Canada’s Wine Capital!
Visit Riverstone Estate Winery
Riverstone Estate Winery is literally a stones throw away from the north end of the International Hike and Bike Trail, that is if you have a good throwing arm.
They even make a Bordeaux style blend called “Stones Throw”! It shows ripe black berry fruit including black current, black cherry, plum with hints of vanilla, tobacco, mocha, wild sage, and French oak.
You can’t help but notice this gorgeous Bordeaux-coloured winery on the hill surrounded by lush vineyards in summer as you venture along the Hike and Bike Trail. Even in winter it captures your attention.
Photo by Jim Brompton Photography (Instagram @jimbromptonphoto)
This season, all of their tasting experiences will happen outside in a beautiful wine-tasting garden.
They are releasing three new rosés including the Syrah Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, and Cabernet Franc Rosé. Just in time for spring and summer patios, picnics, and charcuterie boards! They’ve also got a delicious Malbec Rosé and a delightful bubbly White Merlot Rosé.
You may even want to buy a couple bottles for a future picnic experience outside where its safe to do so. It would be such a unique and memorable experience for a date, bestie get-together, or to celebrate Mother’s Day!
Stay at Glaikit Gecko Vacation Suite
Glaikit Gecko Vacation Suite is located right across the street from beautiful Tucelnuit Lake, another perfect place to cool off after a fun day of biking and wine tasting.
It’s also walking distance from downtown Oliver restaurants and grocery shops, and a short cycle to the International Hike and Bike Trail.
This lovely air conditioned suite has a fully equipped kitchen, in-suite laundry, bathroom with tub and shower, comfy living room with desk (and wireless internet), TV (and blue ray player), and a bright bedroom with Queen-sized bed made with a down duvet and pillows.
Enjoy a deluxe continental breakfast and your morning cup of coffee in a quaint sitting area surrounded by a flourishing veggie garden. Later on you can kick back and relax with a glass of wine on a large patio while you barbecue.
Be sure to book ahead! Visit their website for more information. Visit gallery for more photos! You can also call 250-485-0644 or email glaikitgecko@telus.net.
Get In Touch and Plan Ahead!
With Oliver and the South Okanagan being predicted the number one place to vacation in Canada this season, it’s best to plan ahead!
Get in touch with accommodation providers soon so you’re sure to have a place to stay. We look forward to seeing you here in Canada’s beautiful Wine Capital this season when restrictions lift!