Riding the Okanagan Rail Trail from Oyama: What to Know Before You Go
The Rail Trail runs right past our door. Here's where to start, how far you can comfortably ride, and what to bring for a day on the trail.
The Okanagan Rail Trail runs right past the front of the store, which makes Oyama one of the easiest places in Lake Country to start a ride. Whether you’re out for a flat hour along the water or making a full day of it, here’s what’s worth knowing before you set off.
Where to start
The stretch beside the store is one of the flattest, most scenic sections of the whole trail. Wood Lake sits on one side and the orchards climb away on the other, and because the trail follows an old rail bed, the grade stays gentle the entire way. That makes it comfortable for families and anyone who hasn’t been on a bike in a while.
Parking in the village is straightforward, and you can be rolling within a few minutes of arriving.
How far to ride
A few honest distances to plan around:
- A short out-and-back along Wood Lake is roughly an hour and stays flat the whole way.
- Riding north toward Kalamalka Lake gives you the best lake views on the trail.
- The full trail runs from Coldstream to Kelowna, which is a solid day trip.
You don’t need to commit to the whole thing. The nice part about starting here is that you can turn around whenever you feel like it and still have had a good ride.
What to bring
Water is the big one, especially in July and August when there’s not much shade along the exposed sections. Sunscreen, a hat, and a small snack cover most of what else you’ll want. The trail surface is crushed gravel, so any bike with a reasonably wide tire handles it fine.
If you’d rather not haul your own bike out, we rent e-bikes and paddleboards right here at the store, so you can show up empty-handed and still get on the water or the trail.
Stop in before or after
We’re a convenience store, liquor store and Canada Post outlet in one, so it’s an easy stop for a cold drink on the way back, or to grab something for the cooler before you head out. If you’re not sure which direction to ride or how far to go, ask us — we ride it too, and we’re happy to point you the right way.