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 is after all a typical railway bed with grades that never exceed 2.2 %. But even the most radical mountain biker will grip the handle bars a little tighter crossing trestles hanging precariously on the sides of Myra Canyon. With countless trestles and tunnels, and environs ranging from cool mountain forests to Canada's only pocket desert the 600 km route offers an endless diversity of experiences.
Abandoned railway corridors hold unparalleled opportunities as recreational trails, and the Kettle Valley Railway is no exception. This corridor is one of the most dynamic routes in Canada, with some truly impressive scenery and spectacular views. The easy grade in most sections makes it suitable for either casual family cycling or easy day riding. The 600 kilometres of travel routes make it challenging for the more adventuresome. Utilizing the numerous unique accommodations and camping facilities along this route allows for weekend or extended trips. Cycling this trail is truly a dynamic and challenging venture that unfolds over the expanse of place and time.
The British Columbia government in it's purchase of the Kettle Valley Railway corridor, voiced a strong commitment to preserve the railbed so that is can play a part in the future of British Columbia just as it did in it's past. Over many years, and with the coordinated efforts of numerous groups and individuals, the conversion of the abandoned Kettle Valley Railway to a multi-use corridor and inclusion in the Trans Canada Trail system is being realized.
Notice: We are updating our database of businesses and services along the trail. If you have a service or business along the trail or know of one that is not listed in the book or on this web site please let us know. We want to insure that everyone is included on this web site and in up coming edition's of Cycling the Kettle Valley Railway
The 3rd Edition of Cycling the Kettle Valley Railway is now availible in stores.
Myra Canyon-After the Okanagan Mountain Fire
March 21, 2008
Trail is now open!
It has been over 4 years in the making, but we are very happy to report that the trestles have all been completed, and it is now possible to travel over the 12km route between Myra and Ruth trailheads. At the time of this writing, there is still, of course, snow on the route, but that will soon be gone. The trail will be re-surfaced once the frost has left the ground, and other finishing touches will be underway, so it will be necessary to watch out for these activities. Enjoy!
Myra Canyon Trestle Restoration Society
http://www.myratrestles.com/newsandevents.php
Great Explorations
Kettle Valley Trail, British ColumbiaIt’s one of Canada’s most prized assets- an off-road trail that crosses British Columbia from Castlegar to Hope, a distance of over 700 km. Incorporated into the Trans-Canada Trail, this route has garnered attention around the world as one of the premier trails anywhere-Outside Magazine called it one of the top trips on the Planet. The forest fires of 2003 damaged the trestles through Myra Canyon but they have since been re-built and are re-opening to the public in June of this year. To celebrate, Great Explorations has planned a trip to coincide with the formal opening and noted historian and author Dan Langford will be riding.
June 20-26 2008
CAD$995/US$995
Click here for more information
Trans Canada Trail Challenge 2008
Myra Station to Penticton Trans Canada Trail Pavilion
An 80-km section of the Kettle Valley Rail TrailSunday, July 6
The following is an invitation to you and members of your group to participate in this year’s Trans Canada Trail Challenge event.
Trails BC, the Myra Canyon Trestle Restoration Society, the Naramata Woodwackers, and the Summerland TCT Society along with regional communities/jurisdictions are pleased to offer its 8th Trans Canada Trail Challenge. This year it will be held in conjunction with the re-opening of the Myra Canyon and the Penticton Centennial. Participants will be able to discover and explore up to 80 km of the Trans Canada Trail on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail.
You can choose to cycle, walk, run, or ride your horse in this non-competitive and personally challenging event. Cyclists can choose to ride the full 80 km while walkers along with cyclists and runners can choose to do shorter sections that include the spectacular Myra Canyon with all its re-constructed trestles. In the Myra Canyon alone there are 18 trestles and two tunnels. Equestrians will be able to combine a ride with a walk or cycle in the Myra Canyon.
If you haven’t already done so, go to our website: www.trailsbc.ca for more details and to register either online or by regular mail. For information about the Myra canyon and its location go to: http://www.myratrestles.com
We sense that this will be a very popular event and registrations are limited. Register early to avoid disappointment.
Questions or comments can be directed to:
Contact: Léon Lebrun
E-mail: southwest@trailsbc.ca
Phone: 604-942-6768
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News from the Kettle
Valley Railway
Map of the Kettle Valley Railway and connecting
railway trails.
Kettle Valley Railway
Carmi Subdivision - Midway to Pentiction, 215 km
Osoyoos Subdivision - Pentiction to Osoyoos, 58.1 km
Princeton Subdivision - Pentiction to Brookmere, 174.9 km
Merritt Subdivision - Brookmere to Merrit, 47.3 km
Coquihalla Subdivision - Brookmere to Hope, 91.1 km
Connecting Railway Trails
Columbia & Western Railway - Castlegar
to Midway, 162.3 km
Nelson
& Fort Sheppard
Railway - Salmo to Troop, 47.8 km
Columbia
& Kootenay Railway - South Slocan to Slocan,
50.4 km
Nakusp
& Slocan Railway - Three Forks to Nakusp, 56.6
km
Nicola, Kamloops & Similkameen Railway - Nicola to Spences Bridge, 75.5 km
Vancouver, Victoria & Eastern Railway - Midway to Princeton
1998 Kettle Valley Mountain Trail Ride Scrapbook
- Nelson to Hope
Get the book Cycling
the Kettle Valley Railway
Links to other Kettle Valley Railway Web Sites
