Once a comprehensive railroad system, the decommissioned tracks are now home to an extensive recreational trail providing almost 650 km (400 mi) of connected pathways throughout the region. The Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail and the Columbia & Western Rail Trail is the longest rail trail network in British Columbia extending from Hope to Castlegar. As the trail extends through a variety of towns, municipalities, and communities, conditions throughout can vary from ideal to challenging. The drive up to Myra Canyon, just 30 minutes outside of Kelowna,…, World Champion Professional Athlete Sonya Looney recently spent a day exploring outdoor adventure in Kelowna. The Rail Trails comprise only part of the large number of trails in BC. Cycling this trail is truly a challenging venture that unfolds over the expanse of place and time. You can experience the trail on your own or as part of an organized tour. The Kettle Valley (KVR) and Columbia-Western Rail Trail is the longest rail trail network in British Columbia extending from Hope to Castlegar. Washington Trails Association 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 625-1367. He shares his experience on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail in fall. Great conditions until the Little tunnel, but after that it’s bumpy with loose gravel and soft spots. Spend your vacation golfing, trout fishing, panning for gold, hiking, canoeing, cycling or hiking the Kettle Valley Rail Trail – a part of the Trans Canada Trail system, swimming, tubing down the Kettle … The KVR is also part of the Trans Canada Trail, which covers every province in Canada from Victoria, B.C to St. Johns, Newfoundland. Design Terra Firma Digital Arts. Escape the city with a multi-day bikepacking trip. This highly-scenic portion of the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) runs along a steep-walled canyon. For those looking for a family-friendly day trip, here are five places you can experience the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. Directions: Head up Vancouver Avenue and turn left onto Vancouver Place. Disclaimer/Legal Policy. Here’s the beginning of the trail in Penticton! Abandoned railway corridors hold unparalleled opportunities as recreational trails, and the Kettle Valley Railway is no exception. Red Barn Ranch Bed and Breakfast and Trail Rides, Kettle River Recreation Area (Provincial Campground), Trails BC – Boundary / An interactive map of the KVR and Columbia and Western, The Great Trail Map (formally Trans Canada Trail), Cycling the Kettle Valley Rail Trail – E-book, Government of BC – Recreation Sites & Trails, Regional District Okanagan Similkameen Trail Maps. Design Terra Firma Digital Arts. Powered by WordPress. She shares her experience on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, the Crawford Trail, and how to best wrap up the day with some tasty treats and craft…, World Champion Professional Athlete Sonya Looney recently spent a day exploring outdoor adventure in Penticton. View statewide traffic camera footage, get travel alerts, and check travel routes. It is after all a typical railway bed with grades that never exceed 2.2 %. Kettle Valley Rail Trail ride with dual sport bikes in BC Canada. Click on a section to find out what kind of trail surface you can expect, what kind of bike or ability you require, and whether or not the section is designated for non-motorized vehicles only. Between the Kootenay … The trail is excellent for bikers but will also be the perfect place to go for a walk or a hike. Probably won’t go past the first tunnel again because of this. As is typical for railway beds, the grade never exceeds 2.2 per cent, making this a great option for easy day riding or casual family outings. Be aware that a lot of the trail follows along shear drop offs. In 1993 the Myra Canyon Trestle Restoration Society (MCTRS) was formed with the goal of making the trestles safer for the public. The Kettle Valley Railway is an abandoned railway bed that runs about 600 kilometres through south-central BC – between Midway and Hope. Rail Trail - Midway to Penticton A group of 4 cycled the Kettle Valley Rail Trail East to West (Midway to Penticton) and had a great experience. The trail and the trestles soon fell into disrepair, neglect and vandalism. Printable Maps and Routes of the Kettle Valley Railway in the Okanagan. The grade is within 2 degrees with no steep climbs. Answer 1 of 14: We are suppose to be in Penticton area mid Sept. Our reason is to hike and bike the area specifically the KVR. As world population and food production demands rise, keeping our soil healthy and productive is of paramount importance. The trail uses a rail corridor that was originally built for the now-abandoned Kettle Valley Railway.The trail was developed during the 1990s after the Canadian Pacific Railway abandoned train service. The Kettle Valley (KVR) and Columbia & Western Rail Trail is the longest rail trail network in British Columbia extending from Hope to Castlegar. Hard to believe that all those years have come and gone since we started our fist commercial harvest in 1992. Trail Updates. From campgrounds to hotels, bike rentals to guided tours, restaurants to grab n’ go’s, there are a variety of options along the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail is a 650km section of decommissioned train tracks that extend from Castlegar to Hope, in Southern British Columbia. The main Kettle Trail runs 0.75 miles from Coupeville along Highway 20. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail goes all the way from Hope to Grand Forks. Experiences on the trail can be self-guided or part of an organized tour, with sections ranging from family-friendly day-trips to overnight legs for experienced riders. Today, the sections of the Kettle Valley Railway that have become part of the Trans Canada Trail have hand rails on all the trestles. Get Trail News Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. The Trans Canada Trail in the Summerland area lies almost entirely on the Kettle Valley Railway lies almost entirely on the Kettle Valley Railway; there is a short stretch along public roads between the Fenwick trail head (west) and the Trout Creek Trestle (west) but signs are provided. Great views of the lake and surrounding area. The rails to trails society spent much time and effort getting help and donations to turn much of the old right of way into a cycling trail. You can hit the trail from any direction. As a result, the trail is closed to the public while the trestle is being removed. Check out this article by blogger Miles Arbour, featured on BIKEPACKING.com. Walked on FSR Southeast until we came to ‘Grant’s Connector?.’ This connector merged with FSR that went north by Turtle Lake and back to connect with Highland trail finally. Disclaimer/Legal Policy. Open in your Google Maps app. Myra Canyon Trestles *Myra Canyon Trestles Trail is open to the public. Whether you’re considering a family-friendly day trip or an overnight bikepacking adventure, the best thing to do is to ensure you’re prepared for what you may encounter. I discovered what could be the core of an incredible bicycle tour: The Kettle Valley Rail-Trail, which stretches from Hope, BC to around Midway, BC.With additions, side-trips, and getting to and from the trail this could be the heart of a grand two-plus week adventure. The Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail and the Columbia & Western Rail Trail is the longest rail trail network in British Columbia extending from Hope to Castlegar. Copyright 2018 Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. How to find the start of the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail in Penticton. When several serious accidents occurred, the B.C. This year brought our 29th harvest. - Melissa All our tours are self-guided – we have picked the best of what the Kettle Valley Rail Trail has to offer and help you find your way! Trail reports are used to indicate a trails current condition and inform builders and other riders about any issues on a trail. She shares her experience on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, the Three Blind Mice Trails, and how to best wrap up the day with some…, Copyright 2018 Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. Experiences on the trail can be self-guided or part of an organized tour, with sections ranging from family-friendly day-trips to overnight legs for experienced riders. Adventure and landscape photographer, Dax Justin, recently spent a day exploring Myra Canyon with Monashee Adventure Tours. The bus dropped me off at 4:30 am so I made my way to the Kettle River, pitched my tent and went back to sleep. Custom theme Attention Web & Graphic Design. We saw very cool and wet weather in June, which helped delay any forest fires in our area, but made for a slow start to the grape growing season. Just south of Kelowna and about 30 minutes from downtown is the world famous Myra Canyon, a lovingly restored section of the Kettle Valley Railway Trail. Once a comprehensive railroad system, the decommissioned tracks are now home to an extensive recreational trail providing almost 650 km (400 mi) of connected pathways throughout the region. How can a person find out whether this trip is worth doing? The Kettle Valley Rail Trail from Hope to Midway, the Columbia and Western Rail Trail from Midway to Castlegar and the Slocan Valley Rail Trail, from South Slocan, near the juction of Highway 3A and 6 to Slocan. Here are some suggestions for where to ride, eat, and stay. This is where it all started. Unsure if trail is passable in some places as we couldn’t locate it. Status: Closed / Red --- Condition: Dry --- Very difficult to find route markings from Canyon Lake to McCulloch. Are you an experienced cyclist looking for a little more adventure? Hard core mountain bikers may scoff at the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR), an abandoned railway bed that winds through south central British Columbia between Midway and Hope. It takes you through the historic Othello Tunnels and trestles that used to be used for trains going to Hope. I have heard so much about fire and smoke in BC. Once a comprehensive railroad system, the decommissioned tracks are now home to an extensive recreational trail providing almost 650 km (400 mi) of connected pathways throughout the region. Do not take shortcuts or ride off the trail as it will damage vegetation and cause erosion. Contact Us. Penticton to Naramata Take your time Self-guided tours mean you set your own pace – take your time for a swim, photographs or just taking in the fresh country air. For your safety, please obey any industrial signage. It is 12 kms one way between the Myra and Ruth Gates (24 km round trip). Two-Wheeling on the Trestles and Tunnels of the KVR Trail. This route would likely be at the outer limits of what is possible on an e-bike. government contemplated closing the entire trail to the public. Once a comprehensive railroad system, the decommissioned tracks are now home to an extensive recreational trail providing almost 650 km (400 mi) of connected pathways throughout the region. If biking the Kettle Valley Railway isn’t on your bucket list, it needs to be! Hiking or biking the Kettle Valley Rail Trail is a great way to travel through British Columbia’s wild spaces and the province’s history. For hikers only, Kyle's Kettle Trail is an option on the north side of the trail system accessed best once you turn from Hill Valley Rd into Fort Ebey State Park proper. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail is a multi-use recreational rail trail located in the Okanagan-Boundary region of southern British Columbia.. Some sections require your full attention to stay upright on the bike and narrow Midway, Near Mile 0 of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. He shares some and recommendations and helpful tips for those planning a longer journey. Reward your soul with an inspiring half-day trip to Myra Canyon. If you need to report a closure on such a trail, please determine the trail owner or operator … Ride the historic Kettle Valley Rail Trail from Myra Canyon to Penticton on July 7, 2019. Even horse riding is permitted on certain sections of the trail! Custom theme Attention Web & Graphic Design. I was single, care-free and decided to make my way by bus with my bike from Vancouver to Midway, the starting point of the Kettle Valley section of trail. The trail runs the scale from pavement to gravel to dirt to grass to rock to sand. The Kettle Valley Railway (reporting mark KV) was a subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPD) that operated across southern British Columbia, west of Midway running to Rock Creek, then north to Myra Canyon, down to Penticton over to Princeton, Coalmont, Brookmere, Coquihalla and finally Hope where it connected to the main CPR line.. Smoking, camping and campfires are … Other hazards include wildlife such as snakes (particularly in the southern Okanagan), bears, cougars, insects along with inclement weather (you never know when it might snow at altitude) and extreme heat. Here is an interactive map of the trail conditions and access points such as parking lots. Continue to the end of the cul-de-sac and you will see the start of the trail. 800 kms of abandoned rail road is ridden by friends during a 5 day camping trip. Powered by WordPress. no reports have been added for High Rim Trail - Highway 33 to the Kettle Valley Trail yet, add a trail report. The ride itself is great for a family as it is no more than a 2% grade. Courtesy of Penticton and Wine Country Visitor Centre. KVR Trail from Penticton to Chute Lake, showing the Adra Tunnel bypass Trail, the Water tower and house, rock overs 4 and 5, Glenfir Loop and wood wacker trail. This corridor is one of the most dynamic routes in Canada, with some truly impressive scenery and spectacular views. The smoke in the Okanagan has cleared and air quality is ideal for outdoor activities, so you should have an excellent time on the ride! Any locals with info? Harvest 2020 at Kettle Valley Winery. Soils Washington Soils Program Washington Soil Health . See below for a Google Maps link to the area. The trail route may go through active logging, trapping, farming and mining environments. Hi 59Sheryl - There was a small brush fire that started in Naramata in the evening on September 11, but it was extinguished yesterday: https:/…news-story-206352-21-.htm. This is the closest section of the KVR to the Metro Vancouver Area. The Kettle Valley (KVR) and Columbia-Western Rail Trail is the longest rail trail network in British Columbia extending from Hope to Castlegar. Kettle Valley Railway / Trans Canada Trail (The Great Trail) in the Rock Creek Area: Beaverdell to Midway, 70 km . Accessing the walking trail is easiest from Vancouver Avenue, Penticton. Be at the outer limits of what is possible on an e-bike out whether trip!, the trail is easiest from Vancouver Avenue, Penticton High Rim trail - Highway 33 to the end the... 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