From wild rivers to ranchlands, alpine lakes to vineyards and orchards the. Welcome to touring the kettle valley railway, a photographic tour of the historic kettle valley railway. Kvr trail kettle valley railway recreational trail. This is the route through bc that my mother used when she emigrated from germany to pentiction in 1952 the run is from hope to penticton on the coquihalla subdivision this was an important cp rail.
Kettle valley rail trail penticton 2020 all you need. Cycle the kettle valley railtrail, kettle valley trailhead. I have done some searching on the net and havent found very much information. The kettle valley steam railway showcases a unique part of the okanagans and british columbias history. One of the premier rail trails in north america, it contains spectacular sections through impressive canyons requiring tunnels and trestles to carry the railbed.
Naramata hotel a great place for dinner or an overnight stay. The kvr trail is the longest rail trail network in bc. Today the only section of track where one may experience the feel of rail travel is found at the prairie valley station located in summerland. Located right below the famous myra canyon and kettle valley railway trail kvr, myra canyon adventure park is fun for. 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. 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. 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.
In 2012 the kettle valley express was created, connected hope to the kootenays and in 20, published its first yearly, all seasons travel guide for south central bc using bcs rail trails to connect the communities and attract new visitors. Weeklong summer vacation bookings are preferred between saturday june 25, 2016 and september 11, 2016. A 1912 locomotive called the 3716 or a 1924 shay powers the train, with two passenger coaches and three openair cars. British columbia is one of the most beautiful areas of canada, which is itself a beautiful country, ideal for those who. 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. How to find the start of the kettle valley rail kvr trail in penticton. If biking the kettle valley railway isnt on your bucket list, it needs to be. 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.
Your go to provider for selfguided multiday cycle tours on the kettle valley railtrail. Kettle valley rail trail ride with dual sport bikes in bc canada. Looking for information about the kettle valley rail trail i live in wyoming and he lives in colorado and we arent familiar with the area. 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. Easy hike dogs allowed on leash this highly scenic portion of the kettle valley railway kvr runs along a steepwalled canyon. We love the great accessibility to incredible scenery, tunnels, trestles, wineries and more. Myra canyonafter the okanagan mountain fire march 21, 2008 trail is now open. Kettle valley railway welcome to touring the kettle. General information and stories about the kettle valley railway trail. The kettle valley kvr and columbiawestern rail trail is the longest rail trail network in british columbia extending from hope to castlegar.
Get married in front of the 1901 station house, have your reception under a big maple tree that is over 100 years old. Destined to become part of the trans canada trail system. Kettle valley rail trail kvr cycle tours home facebook. Kettle valley railway trail okanagan falls 2020 all.
Kettle valley rail trail in naramata, bc ss sicamous. In fact it was john whites book driving the kettle valley railway that really got me started in the kvr. One of the premier rail trails in north america, it contains spectacular. On this site i will show some of the sights to be seen along this old abandoned railway, as well as share some of. Start from the east entrance at myra station and ride west seeing as many of. Trip planning kettle valley rail trail bc rail trails.
The myra canyon is one of the most exciting and scenic bike rides in bc. We have helped hundreds from around the globe experience the kettle valley rail trail challenging though some sections can be, you can be assured of support, detailed information and a comfortable place to rest along the way and plenty of good food to sustain you. We want to insure that everyone is included on this web site and in up coming editions of cycling the kettle valley railway. Cycling the kettle valley railway 9780921102885 by. Support the kettle valley steam railway nonprofit society donate adults. 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. 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. As is typical for railway beds, the grade never exceeds 2.
The kettle valley rail trail connects the best of penticton and more. Myra canyon kettle valley railway kvr lets go biking. 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. Kettle valley bike tours from rock creek to penticton. Back then, much of the right of way was used by ranchers and people used atvs on the right of way. The kettle valley railway kvr is an abandoned railbed located in southern british columbia between midway and hope. Map showing the kettle valley rail trail kvr from osooyos through vaseux lake, okanagan falls, penticton, naramata and kelowna too. Head up vancouver avenue and turn left onto vancouver place. The myra canyon is one of the most scenic sections of the kettle valley railway. 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. History, map, links to other kvr and related sites, book list and a list of museums and. The original kettle valley railway opened over 100 years ago and was in operation for about 70 years before it closed down.
Kettle valley rail trail bc cycling kvr cycle tours. 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. The 3rd edition of cycling thekettle valley railway is now availible in stores. Deep within bcs rugged southern interior lies a 600km section of transcanada trail known as the kettle valley railway.
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. Tunnels and trestles are what cyclists remember most about the spectacular 600 kmlong kettle valley railway one of the premier rail trails in canada. Ideal for cyclists riding the kettle valley rail trail or other groups such as families, teams, or special event. Travel writers tales is an independent travel article syndicate that offers professionally written travel articles to newspaper editors and publishers.
The kettle valley rail trail is one of the longest and most scenic biking and hiking trails in canada. Cycling the kettle valley railway dan langford, sandra. Kettle valley rail trail penticton all you need to. Looking for information about the kettle valley rail trail. Continue to the end of the culdesac and you will see the start of the trail. Cycling the kettle valley railway and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Many years ago this whole area was mined for copper ore, and it was all shipped via rail. When i started touring the kettle valley railway in the late 90s, much of the right of way was actually drivable by vehicle. The kettle valley railway is an abandoned railway bed that runs about 600 kilometres through southcentral bc between midway and hope. Book your tickets online for kettle valley railway trail, okanagan falls. It covers a good stretch of the southcentral interior of british columbia, about 600 kilometers of scenic countryside. 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, rock creek, british columbia.
Selfguided tours mean you set your own pace take your time for a swim, photographs or just taking in the fresh country air. The ride is easy and follows the old kettle valley railway for much of the route. A limited number of shorter stays are available for kettle valley rail trail riders. Tunnels and trestles are what cyclists remember most about the spectacular 600 kmlong kettle valley railwayone of the premier rail trails in canada. 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. Finally, it converted into the kettle valley rail trail that we know today and will let you explore a bunch of amazing places in british columbia. From campgrounds to hotels, bike rentals to guided tours, restaurants to grab n gos. The few active railways shown on these maps are also shown with the same line. The picturesque vistas will stick in your mind as you roll along and experience the creative engineering of our pioneers. Free on lap plus 5% gst kettle valley steam railway. It now offers some of the best views around as well as an easy gateway to the past. Kvr trail kettle valley railway recreational trail british columbia. Walking the kettle valley railway kvr trail in penticton, bc.
Accessing the walking trail is easiest from vancouver avenue, penticton. Trip on the kettle valley railway from hope to the. The kettle valley railway had a huge influence on the development of the southern okanagan area. The abandoned railway trail is shown on these topomaps as an active railway as shown in the example below. 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. Kettle valley steam railway ride the historic kettle.
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