Tripadvisor among 17 attractions in okanagan falls. Midway to penticton completed oct 2, 1914 princeton to penticton completed april 23rd 1915. The kvr trail is the longest rail trail network in bc. Kettle valley railway welcome to touring the kettle. Kettle valley steam railway ride the historic kettle. The kettle valley railway is an abandoned railway bed that runs about 600 kilometres through southcentral bc between midway and hope. Walking the kettle valley railway kvr trail in penticton, bc. On this tour you stay at indoor accommodations only.
The kettle valley railway trails british columbia, canada. Kettle valley rail trail ride with dual sport bikes in bc canada. Cycling the kettle valley railway and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Free on lap plus 5% gst kettle valley steam railway. Easy hike dogs allowed on leash this highly scenic portion of the kettle valley railway kvr runs along a steepwalled canyon. Start from the east entrance at myra station and ride west seeing as many of the trestles and tunnels as time and little l. We love the great accessibility to incredible scenery, tunnels, trestles, wineries and more. In the 1950s, the cpr set about upgrading the rail lines on the kettle valley railway as it recognized that a second line through the province of british columbia was a valuable asset.
Kettle valley rail trail kvr cycle tours, rock creek, british columbia. Support the kettle valley steam railway nonprofit society donate adults. The few active railways shown on these maps are also shown with the same line. After more than 50 years of operation the railroad line was abandoned. Cycle the kettle valley railtrail, kettle valley trailhead. One of the premier rail trails in north america, it contains spectacular sections through impressive canyons requiring tunnels and trestles to carry the railbed. It gives a milebymile description of the route that is still 98% accurate. The historic trail was originally built for the nowdefunct kettle valley railway and was converted to a trail in 1990 after the canadian pacific railway abandoned the train service. Visit kettle valley rail trail on your trip to okanagan falls. Kvr trail kettle valley railway recreational trail british columbia. It now offers some of the best views around as well as an easy gateway to the past.
Biking the kettle valley railway trail one of the things we most wanted to do in the okanagan on vacation this summer was to bike the kettle valley railway kvr trail. General information and stories about the kettle valley railway trail. The kettle valley rail trail connects the best of penticton and more. Kettle valley rail trail penticton 2020 all you need. The railway line into penticton was completed in 1915, and the first train arrived on may 30, 1915. Kettle valley railway trail okanagan falls 2020 all. The kettle valley railway reporting mark kv was a subsidiary of the canadian pacific railway 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 it opened in 1915 and was abandoned in portions beginning in. Beginning at mile 0 of the kettle valley railroad in beautiful midway, b. Kettle valley railway trail okanagan falls all you.
Midway motel or heritage museum bunkhouse mile 0 of the kvr. From wild rivers to ranchlands, alpine lakes to vineyards and orchards the. Tunnels and trestles are what cyclists remember most about the spectacular 600 kmlong kettle valley railwayone of the premier rail trails in canada. The kettle valley railway kvr is an abandoned railbed located in southern british columbia between midway and hope. S kettle valley trail a two valley, two mountain loop by rick millikan for travel writers tales transcanada trail crosses most of southern british columbia atop the historic kettle valley railway. Most of the time you will be travelling on the gem of the trans canada trail through western canadas wilderness.
The rock ovens, two tunnels and the cool oasis of chute lake resort are highlights of this trail loop which takes about 4 hours to bike. All our tours are selfguided we have picked the best of what the kettle valley rail trail has to offer and help you find your way. Biking the kettle valley railway kvr, an old, abandoned railway bed that has a new lease on life, is one of the top things to do the okanagan valley in spring, summer and fall. In fact it was john whites book driving the kettle valley railway that really got me started in the kvr. It covers a good stretch of the southcentral interior of british columbia, about 600. Your go to provider for selfguided multiday cycle tours on the kettle valley railtrail. As is typical for railway beds, the grade never exceeds 2. Arrive midway shuttle from penticton included kvr mile 0 this is where it all began for the kvr if you arrive early, take the time to cycle around the village visit the entwined trees or hike the hill to the canadian flag where it borders the usa. The kettle valley rail trail is one of the longest and most scenic biking and hiking trails in canada. The kettle valley rail trail is a multiuse recreational rail trail located in the okanaganboundary region of southern british columbia the trail uses a rail corridor that was originally built for the nowabandoned kettle valley railway. However, even with the upgrading of the kvr in the 50s, the building of the crowsnest highway in 1949 had sounded the end of the kettle valley railway. Myra canyonafter the okanagan mountain fire march 21, 2008 trail is now open.
Destined to become part of the trans canada trail system. The trail was developed during the 1990s after the canadian pacific railway abandoned train service. On this section of the kettle valley railway there are 16 wood trestles, 2 steel bridges, and 2 tunnels. Kettle valley rail trail kvr cycle tours home facebook. You must get the book cycling the kettle valley railway by dan and sandra langford. The first step in preparation is to obtain the most recent edition of dan langfords book, cycling the kettle valley railway. Kvr trail kettle valley railway recreational trail. This tour will take us over more than 460 km of rail trail over 4 mountain ranges. This is really the only book that provides detailed info about the kvr. Located in southern british columbia, it was once named by outside magazine as one of the top 10 trails to cycle. The kettle valley steam railway showcases a unique part of the okanagans and british columbias history. In 1910, andrew mcculloch began construction of the kettle valley railway that would connect the kootenays to the bc coast.
The line was not in full operation until after world war 1. History of the kettle valley railway kvr in penticton bc. With over 15,000 copies sold, cycling the kettle valley has proven to be a remarkable resource for anyone interested in the stunning abandoned railbed located in the southern interior of british columbia. When i started touring the kettle valley railway in the late 90s, much of the right of way was actually drivable by vehicle. To combat this loss of potential wealth, a new railway was commissioned.
In 1896, surveying began and by 1898, the railway to the kootenays from eastern canada was complete. Selfguided tours mean you set your own pace take your time for a swim, photographs or just taking in the fresh country air. One of the premier rail trails in north america, it contains spectacular. The 3rd edition of cycling thekettle valley railway is now availible in stores. Originally built by hand at the turn of the last century, this impressive landmark is highlighted by 2 tunnels and 18 trestle bridges that are too spectacular for words. One of the premier rail trails in north america, it contains spectacular sections through impressive canyons requiring tunnels and trestles to carry the railbed through rock ridges and across. A couple hiking over one of the trestle bridges overlooking myra canyon on the kettle valley railway address. Also dubbed the coastkootenay connection, this railway dominated newspaper headlines for nearly 25 years and saw the demise of a half dozen governments by the end of its construction in 1915. The kettle valley railway had a huge influence on the development of the southern okanagan area. Once a railway line, the kvr is now an amazing place to go biking and hiking on a converted rail bed thats part of the trans canada trail in british columbia. Most mountain bikers pedal this popular kvr section oneway from rock creek to penticton, yet our zen cyclopath group begins outside. The myra canyon trestle resortation society reports that all trestles destroyed by the mountain park forest fires of 2003 have been rebuilt to historical specifications using british columbia wood and labour. Kettle valley rail trail bc cycling kvr cycle tours.
Built during 1910 1915, the kvr kootenay to coast connection powered our pioneer fruit industry into world markets, transported our families on vacations and errands. A couple hiking over one of the trestle bridges overlooking myra canyon on the kettle valley railway. If biking the kettle valley railway isnt on your bucket list, it needs to be. History, map, links to other kvr and related sites, book list and a list of museums and. Myra canyon kettle valley railway kvr lets go biking. We want to insure that everyone is included on this web site and in up coming editions of cycling the kettle valley railway.
Looking for information about the kettle valley rail trail. Kettle valley rail trail penticton all you need to. The myra canyon is one of the most exciting and scenic bike rides in bc. The ride today meanders along the kettle river to rock creek. Cycling the kettle valley railway 9780921102885 by. Deep within bcs rugged southern interior lies a 600km section of transcanada trail known as the kettle valley railway. Choose from todays shorter option at just 20 kms to rock. I carried a copy in my handlebar bag and used it several times a day. The kettle valley railway rightofway has become a favourite travel route because of its easy grades and spectacular scenery. Book your tickets online for kettle valley railway trail, okanagan falls.
On our selfguided kettle valley tour you cycle predominantly on converted rail trails from the kootenays in british columbia bc to vancouver at the pacific coast. Cycling the kettle valley railway dan langford, sandra. Hard core mountain bikers may scoff at the kettle valley railway kvr. Bring your camera, especially to capture the trails everpopular section through myra canyons steep and verdant chasms. The abandoned railway trail is shown on these topomaps as an active railway as shown in the example below. From the web site and word of mouth i found out a fourth edition has been written but could not be printed in. 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. While the rails no longer exist, the rightofway is. The kettle valley kvr and columbiawestern rail trail is the longest rail trail network in british columbia extending from hope to castlegar. Biking the kettle valley railway in the okanagan hike.
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