Smith Creek Mountain Biking Trails

Smith Creek is an area of West Kelowna with an ever expanding network of all mountain trails. Turn north on Elliot Road in downtown West Kelowna, follow this road out as it meanders up the hillside. Turn right onto Smith Creek Road and travel up to the gravel section continuing on until you reach a small gravel parking area on the left. The trail heads out from this lot and crosses the road into the main network within a few hundred meters. Follow the small trail and km markers up as you go. The ascent crosses the main downhill run all the way up so there are many opportunities to head back down. Keep your eyes and ears open for riders coming down!

Smith Creek AirtimeThis loop is one of the few that offer a great meandering singletrack climb instead of a fire road ascent. The trail snakes its way up the mountain on smooth, flowing single-track with tight technical turns. Towards the top of the climb the trail gets steeper and a little more difficult to climb, but by this point you are nearly up. Once at the top you will be on a plateau looking over West Kelowna. The trails head off to your right from here so lower your saddle and drop in on one of two optional descents. The original is a quicker, more technical descent along a canyon while the newer descent is a fast, flowing downhill mostly within a small ravine full of bermed turns and jumps, the ultimate all mountain descent! Smith Creek ClimbingIt can be difficult to determine how to access the beginning of each specific descent or to know which one you are on as they are not obvious or marked but both are good and both end by the parking area so drop in and enjoy…

The trails are both loose in mid-summer so watch your speed and both are technical in places. Most intermediate to advanced riders will find them very ride-able and super fun. Part way down the original descent is a great cliff line with a beautiful view of the canyon below and mountain ridge across from it. This entire loop takes about two hours to ride and most likely a little longer for intermediate riders. One of the Central Okanagan’s best rides by far.

Smith Creek DescendingThis trail is extremely popular so you should have no problem running into a local to help with directions up or down specific routes. Trail maps for the area are available at all the local bike shops in Kelowna and West Kelowna. Just ask for the “Trails of the Westside” map.