Offbeat activities in Osoyoos

The desert heat brings tourists to Osoyoos, but cool attractions keep them there

Spotted Lake

Any trip to Osoyoos is worth a stop at Spotted Lake, an unusual-looking body of water believed to be the most mineralized lake in the world.

The water’s high volumes of magnesium sulphate, calcium and sodium sulfates result in a strange spotted pattern on the surface of the water. Depending on the fluctuating mineral concentration, the spots will change colour and size. In the summer much of the water evaporates, leaving hard, crusted pathways around the spots.

The water is said to have sacred healing properties, according to Osoyoos band of the Okanagan First Nations, who call the lake Khiluk.

Briane Hearle, marketing director for Destination Osoyoos, said Spotted Lake is definitely worth a stop on the highway to take a look or snap a photo. The lake is on private property, but can be viewed just off of Highway 3, about nine kilometres or 10 minutes by car from Osoyoos, she said.

Wine tasting by bicycle

Hearle also recommends taking in a wine tasting tour—by bike. Heatstroke Cycle and Sport offers trips from Hester Creek Winery to Gehringer Brothers, Inniskillin, Cassini Cellars and several others in a series of cycling wine tours that have been growing in popularity since the company started offering them in the summer of 2013. 

Richard Cooper, company owner, said the tours take around four hours and participants can choose from mountain bikes, cruisers or electric-assisted bikes, which make the midsummer heat bearable.

“It’s fun doing the tour on mountain bikes,” said Cooper, “but the electric bikes are nice cruisers and are a nice easy go up the hills.”

Cooper keeps the groups small, at four or five, so the experience is more personal and interactive.

“That way people can talk to one and other and stay together,” he said. “People really enjoy it.”

For more information or to book a tour visit heatstrokecycle.com