Enderby Cliffs Hike: What to Know About the Tplaqín Trail

I’ve been hiking Enderby Cliffs since I was a kid and yet, somehow, I still forget how much climbing is involved every time I go. The trail starts off pretty gently, then the switchbacks kick in, and you spend a good chunk of the hike steadily working your way up the mountain.

It’s worth it, though, I promise! The Tplaqín Trail climbs to the very top of the cliffs above Enderby, where you get a stunning view over the Shuswap River and the surrounding valley. The cliffs drop away right beside you at the top, and even after doing this hike so many times, the view still gets me.

The full Enderby Cliffs hike is about 13 km round trip with roughly 700 metres of elevation gain, so it’s definitely a solid half-day hike rather than a casual afternoon walk. In this guide, I’ll share what the trail’s actually like (from someone who’s done it countless times), how hard it feels, where to park, and the things I’d want to know before hiking it for the first time.

Enderby Cliffs Trail at a Glance

The trail climbs steadily for most of the way up, so even though the distance isn’t huge, it definitely feels like a workout. Most of the hike is through forest before the views really start opening up higher on the mountain.

There’s no fee to hike Tplaqín, and the main trailhead has a parking lot and pit toilets. The final stretch to the top runs right along the cliff edge, so be careful and take your time if heights make you nervous.

Is the Enderby Cliffs Hike Worth It?

1 million percent! The climb is long enough that there’s usually a point where I start wondering why I’m doing this hike again, but then the trail finally opens up near the top, and I say “ahhhhh yes, that’s why”.

You get to look down over Enderby and the Shuswap River from more than 1,000 metres up, and on a clear day you can see way beyond that into the North Okanagan! It’s really cool.

I also like how much the hike changes as you go. You start in thick forest, get little glimpses of the valley as you climb, then eventually you’re walking along the top of these huge cliffs.

That said, I probably wouldn’t bring someone here for their very first hike. It’s a decent climb, and the elevation adds up quickly. If I had friends visiting who had never really hiked before, I’d save Enderby Cliffs for another day and take them somewhere a little easier (like Rose Swanson near Armstrong).

Getting to the Enderby Cliffs Trailhead

The Enderby Cliffs trailhead is about 5 km northeast of Enderby and it’s easy to reach by car.

The last stretch along Brash Allen Road is unpaved, but don’t let that put you off. It’s a normal dirt road (not even an FSR) and totally doable in a regular car. You don’t need high clearance or anything special to reach the trailhead.

There’s a large, paved parking lot at the end, plus pit toilets, and the Tplaqín Trail starts right from there.

The Climb Through the Forest

The trail starts off deceptively easy. You leave the parking lot and head into the forest on a fairly gentle trail, and for a little while you might wonder why everyone says Enderby Cliffs is such a workout.

Don’t worry, the climbing is coming.

Most of the elevation gain happens through a long series of switchbacks as you work your way up through the forest. The trail is well maintained and easy to follow, but it’s pretty relentless. There aren’t many long, flat sections where your legs get much of a break.

Around 2 km in, you’ll pass an old wooden shrine beside the trail. It’s a landmark I always notice because by that point, you’ve already done a decent amount of climbing, and there’s a bench there if you want an excuse to stop for a minute.

Shuswap and Larch Hills Lookouts

Not long after, the first views start showing up. The Shuswap Lookout gives you a nice look down over the river and farmland below.

The Larch Hills Lookout comes about another kilometre later, and the views are much better from here. If you’re not up for doing the full hike, this is where I’d turn around. You still get a really good viewpoint without committing to the longer climb all the way to the cliffs.

From there, the trail heads back into the forest and keeps climbing.

This part always feels longer than I remember, every single time. There are more switchbacks, and for a while you lose most of the views again, so just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Reaching the Top

Eventually, you reach the top of the climb, but you don’t get the big valley view right away. You’ll still walk through the trees for a bit before the trail starts opening up again.

The first main viewpoint gives you the best look at the cliffs themselves, which is probably my favourite part of the whole hike. You’re looking across at that massive rock face (which I think looks like a foot), with the valley stretching out beyond it, and it finally feels like you’ve reached the reward for all those switchbacks!

From there, you can keep going farther along the top to the next viewpoint, where you can actually sit right on top of the cliffs. You don’t really see the cliffs from this spot because you’re standing on them, but the view over Enderby, the Shuswap River, and the North Okanagan is fantastic.

I always recommend continuing on to both viewpoints if you’ve made it that far. They feel completely different, and together they’re what make the hike sooo good!

How Hard Is the Enderby Cliffs Hike?

The Enderby Cliffs is definitely a workout. There’s nothing particularly technical about the trail, you just spend a lot of time going uphill.

The switchbacks help keep it from getting ridiculously steep, but the climbing is pretty constant. You don’t get many long flat sections where your legs can chill for a bit, which is what makes the hike feel harder than the distance might make you think.

If you hike fairly often, I think it’s totally manageable. You’ll probably be tired by the time you get up there, but that’s kind of expected. If you don’t hike much, though, the climb will probably feel pretty tough.

I usually just use the viewpoints as an excuse to stop for a few minutes. Catch your breath, take some photos, pretend you only stopped because the view was nice… then keep climbing.

Best Time to Hike the Enderby Cliffs

You can hike the Enderby Cliffs for a good chunk of the year, but I definitely prefer it when it’s not boiling hot in the middle of summer. There is a lot of uphill and doing all of that in the middle of an Okanagan heat wave doesn’t sound fun to me.

Spring

Spring is probably my favourite time to hike the Enderby Cliffs. The whole valley is green and the cooler weather makes the climb a lot more enjoyable. Early in the season, you can still hit snow higher up. Once that starts melting, the trail can get pretty muddy too, so I’d expect a bit of a mess if you’re hiking in spring.

Summer

Summer usually means dry trails and long days, but it can get really hot. Thankfully, quite a bit of the climb is through the trees, so you do get some shade. Still, if the forecast is calling for 30+ degrees, I’d either start early or save the hike for another day. There’s no reason to suffer your way up a mountain at 2pm in July when you could be having a lot more fun floating the Enderby River.

Fall

Fall is another really good time to hike the Enderby Cliffs. The temperatures are way more comfortable again, and the colours through the valley can be really pretty from the top. I also just love hiking around the Okanagan in September and October because everything feels much calmer once the main summer rush is over.

Winter

I know people hike Enderby Cliffs in winter, but I’ve always thought of this as more of a spring-to-fall hike. Snow and ice can make the upper part of the trail a lot more dangerous, especially once you’re near the cliffs. There are sections with steep drop-offs and no railings, so slippery footing up there is not something I’d take lightly.

If you do go in winter, check recent conditions first and bring proper traction. I’d also be extra cautious if there’s fresh snow hiding icy sections underneath.

I definitely wouldn’t make a snowy winter day your first experience hiking Enderby Cliffs.

Important Safety Notes

There are a couple of things I’d keep in mind before hiking Enderby Cliffs.

The biggest one is the cliff edge near the top. There are no railings, and in a few spots you’re walking very close to the drop. I’m generally fine with heights, but I still pay attention up there, especially if it’s windy, wet, or icy. A slip near the edge could be really serious.

I also wouldn’t get too close to the very edge. Parts of the cliff can be unstable and could give way, so it’s not somewhere I’d lean out just for a photo. BC Parks also warns about falling rock around the cliffs, so it’s another reason to be a little cautious once you’re up top.

Good shoes help too. Most of the trail is easy enough underfoot, but there are a few looser sections higher up where having decent grip makes a big difference.

And bring lots of water in summer. The forest gives you a decent amount of shade on the climb, but the upper part is much more exposed, and it can get really hot up there.

About Tplaqín

In March 2025, the park’s official name changed from Enderby Cliffs Park to Tplaqín / Enderby Cliffs Park.

Tplaqín means “cliff” in Interior Salish and is pronounced roughly “T bla qeen.” The name change was requested by Splatsin First Nation to better reflect the cultural significance of the area.

You’ll still see “Enderby Cliffs” used all over the place, especially in older trail guides and hiking apps, so don’t worry if both names pop up while you’re planning your hike, it’s the same trail. It’s also still the name most people search for, which is why I use both names throughout this guide.

More Hikes Near Enderby

If Enderby Cliffs feels like more climbing than you’re in the mood for, Mount Rose Swanson near Armstrong is a really good alternative. You still get great views over the North Okanagan, but it’s a much easier trail than the Enderby Cliffs.

For something super easy and relaxing, the Jim Watt Heritage River Walk runs right along the Shuswap River in Enderby. It’s paved and basically flat, so it’s a nice option if you want to get outside without committing to another big hike.

Sicamous Lookout

If you’re heading north toward Sicamous, I’d also add Sicamous Lookout to your route. It’s not really a hike, more of a viewpoint you can drive most of the way to, but the views over Sicamous Channel, Shuswap Lake, and Mara Lake are so good.

The road up is a Forest Service road, then there’s a short walk at the end. Just be careful around the old launch ramp because there’s a pretty serious drop beside it.

Final Thoughts on Hiking the Enderby Cliffs

I’ve been hiking Enderby Cliffs since I was a kid, and I still somehow forget how long that climb feels every single time!

At some point, I’m always over the switchbacks and very ready to be at the top already. Then the trail finally opens up and you get that first look at the cliffs. That’s usually the moment I remember why I keep coming back.

The hike can feel like a bit of a slog in places; I won’t sugarcoat that, but the views at the top are still some of my favourites in the North Okanagan.

I happily drive an hour and a half just to hike Enderby Cliffs at least once a year and I think it’s absolutely worth making the trip for, especially if you like fantastic viewpoints and don’t mind working for them!