The Barn Quilt Trail | Armstrong & Spallumcheen
The Barn Quilt Trails “Flying Geese” painted on the towns original 1959 library
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The Barn Quilt Trails “Flying Geese Cross” on the St.James Anglican Church
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Armstrong's picturesque village is often known for its pastoral valley beauty, lush green hills, and golden fields, a scene rich in hometown heritage and agriculture. Rooted within the Spallumcheen Valley at the southernmost point of the Shuswap, Armstrong has a farm-first passion. Celebration and closeness of the community are the vitality. Armstrong offers outdoor enthusiasts and adventure families enjoyable experiences, all within proximity to town.
The Barn Quilt Trail…..
A different kind of trail, on roads less traveled!
The Barn Quilt Trail is a community collaboration and offers visitors, families, and locals alike a fun and interactive way to tour their beautiful area. These Barn Quilts tell stories of historical significance and act as a guide for visitors to explore rural areas and businesses. The trail will take you on an artistic journey and will lead you on a historic adventure while highlighting the many farm-based businesses, farming, and family heritage. This unique experience shares the stories that are weaved into the rich history of the area.
You can seek and find the colorful array of quilts by vehicle, by bicycle, and by foot, or a combination of all three! Recently I set out by foot to find the centrally located quilts within the town of Armstrong. My three-year-old and I loved walking through the historic and charming village, in search of the painted quilts. It was so much fun! My little one was so excited when we would find one!
Also recently, while, on route to hike one of our favorite trails, Mount Rose Swanson, we happily came across a few more of the painted quilts! See below for more information on this family favorite hiking trail.
A newer addition to the The Barn Quilt Trail. “ The Farmers Star”
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The Barn Quilt Trails self-guided map.
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I love this pattern, it reminds me of when I was a kid! This little guy is named “ Suspender Sam”. He goes along with the sweet “Sunbonnet Sue”, shown below,
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The Barn Quilt Trail Fast Facts!
The North Okanagan Shuswap Barn Quilt Trail is made up of over 40 quilts! Most being centrally located in and around Armstrong but also stretching from Davison Orchards in Vernon to the Blue Hills Lavender Farm in Salmon Arm. This self-guided trail is a fun way to explore and take the roads less traveled!
The colorful quilt patterns are carefully selected by an expert in the traditional patterns of quilting and what each pattern represents. Each block is copyright-free and traditional in nature and many of them have a history of their own. The patterns tell the story of the barn, home, family, or business that they adorn. Often the family will provide the history of the farm or location and building but sometimes a little more research is required!
The quilts are not painted directly onto the building. They are painted in the shop by a group of very dedicated and talented artists and volunteers. Working in collaboration with the property owner, the quilt pattern is carefully researched and then once the perfect design is chosen, the pattern is drafted onto plywood. Then throughout the days the passionate volunteers come and go, painting, color by color, piece by piece.
Once completed, another group of volunteers or the host owner will install the plywood block in the selected location for all of us to admire and enjoy for many years to come! A true community collaboration!
Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre, in partnership with local business and volunteers, make up the magic of the North Okanagan Shuswap Barn Quilt Trail.
You can pick up a self-guided map at the Visitor Centre in the heart of Armstrong or download one here! The Painted Quilt Barn Trail MAP
The Barn Quilt Trails “ Dogwood” the provincial flower of British Columbia. This pattern can be found on the restored CN Caboose form 1943
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Where the designs and painting take place! At the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre
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The Barn Quilt Trails “Poppy Wreath” honors WW1 Veterans.
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Did you know?
You can have your beautiful barn adorned with a bright and colorful painted quilt?
** For more information, or if you are interested in joining the North Okanagan Shuswap Barn Quilt Trail, please contact the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre by phone, 250-546-8155, or email, manager@aschamber.com.
The Barn Quilt Trails “ School House, Swoon Block Sunflower and Dresden Plate Variation” are displayed on the Armstrong Spallumcheen Museum and Art Gallery.
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The Barn Quilt Trails “ Pinwheel Pine”. I love the bright colors of this one!
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The Barn Quilt Trails “ Sunbonnet Sue”, so sweet!
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More To Explore!
Armstrong offers outdoor enthusiasts and adventure families enjoyable experiences, all within proximity to town. If hiking trails are your passion then a local favorite is Mount Rose Swanson! And if a nature walk is more up your alley then experience the beauty of Thomas Hayes Ecological Park!
Mount Rose Swanson
A local and visitor favorite, Mount Rose-Swanson is sure to please all levels of hikers, including the littlest! It is a great family setting to connect with nature and experience the spectacular scenery of the Spallumcheen Valley high above Armstrong! The patchwork pastures below, the blue and green variegated lakes and forests, springtime wildflowers, and the endless Shuswap skies make this panoramic vista a true treasure of the area! Hikers can take in the far-reaching views of Otter, Swan, and Okanagan Lakes. This trail offers great variety; you can choose your route and make this a 4-8 km round trip loop trail. There are several small summits along the way, but making it to the rock bluffs' radio tower is the ultimate reward. The views of the valley will knock your hiking socks right off!
To read more about the beautiful hiking trail plus the Trail Fast Facts, Mount Rose Swanson, please read here!
https://www.shuswapadventuregirl.ca/blog/mount-rose-swanson-armstrong-spallumcheen
Mount Rose Swanson
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Views from Mount Rose Swanson over the Spallumcheen Valley high above Armstrong
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A cute little painted barn on the way to Mount Rose Swanson
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Thomas Hayes Ecological Park
A popular family destination, this flat and easy, meandering trail leads you through beautiful wetlands, a pleasant forested area, and along a pretty ridge with a creek below. Kids will love the birdhouses perched in the trees throughout! Just over 4 km, the coyote loop is great for observing nature and birdwatching. There is also a shorter loop for the smaller hikers!
Kindly stay on the trail, and gumboots are a must in the spring!
Thomas Hayes Ecological Park charming signage on the family friendly trail
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