The Kettle Valley Railway is a discontinued rail line where the rails and ties have been removed and the surface graded. Trestles had been retrofitted with planking for a smooth surface and there is some maintenance performed to clear up slides. The Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) stopped operating in 1989 and the tracks were ripped up in the early 1990’s. The KVR at one time consisted of 477 kilometres of tracks from Midway in the Interior to Hope on the coast. The Kettle Valley Railroad blasted the series of tunnels through granite in 1915. In about a third of a mile there are four tunnels and two bridges spanning the Coquihalla River.
Trail is in great shape. Most interesting sections are Princeton to Coalmont (great cycling by the river through some mountain gorges/ ochre cliffs/ big tunnels) and beyond Brookmere (Cold Water River is beautiful). Trail is relatively good. From McCullough to Beaverdell is sort of “downhill” and can be done quickly over some sections.
The lake is located less than 1 minute away. Beach gradient is gradual for a long distance.
Cyclists are more than welcome, be it for a piece of Doreen’s famous homemade pie or a few days of R&R. Cyclists can easily detour around on Quilchena Avenue and rejoin the former railbed within a block. The railbed is passable until you reach Beaver Lumber which has fenced it off.
The Kettle Valley Railway trail runs by so nature lovers can hike or bike our numerous scenic trails, or you can just relax by the lake and soak in the serene beauty of Princeton Castle. There’s also horse back riding, swimming, and Peddle Boat rentals available.
Penticton and Princeton are our next proposed stops. We are having a fantastic time. Penticton is a 50 minute drive south from Kelowna. The US/Canada border crossing to the south on Highway 97 is open 24 hours a day; other border crossings in this region are closed overnight.
But it was calm and quiet when I rode through there. The stretch between Hollister and Atascadero is devoid of any towns except a multitude of cattle ranches which seemed to have stopped evolving in the 1920s.
Cyclists are more than welcome, be it for a piece of Doreen’s famous homemade pie or a few days of R&R. Cycling vacations in New England, in “old England” and in continental Europe have become incessantly popular ways to see the scenery at a relatively leisurely pace, economically and heathily as well. In Europe or the UK, where rain train transportation is wide-ranging for rainy days, times when travelers want to skip from place to place, or when they just need a rest day, it is quite simple to put together an independent itinerary for those with strong legs and lungs to match. Cyclists can easily detour around on Quilchena Avenue and rejoin the former railbed within a block. The railbed is passable until you reach Beaver Lumber which has fenced it off.
Trails across private land, treaty land or leased land may have been used casually by local and visiting travelers without any formal agreement with the land owner/manager. It used to be that “innocent” trespass was overlooked but now that trails are being mapped and signs are being erected property owners are concerned that they may lose their control of the use of the land or that they will be held liable should a trespasser be injured or killed. Trail is relatively good. From McCullough to Beaverdell is sort of “downhill” and can be done quickly over some sections.
The Kettle Valley Railway offers a unique two-hour journey on one of BC’s few remaining fully operational steam railways. From May to October, enjoy a tour along a preserved ten-kilometre section of the original railway. The Kettle Valley Railway right-of-way has become a favourite travel route because of its easy grades and spectacular scenery. Rock Oven Park contains several interesting features of historical significance. The Kettle Valley Railway served the Kootenay Mining Region of the southern interior of British Columbia for 85 years, and for many of those years operated both as a freight and passenger railway. However, passenger service was phased out by 1964, as private cars rapidly supplanted rail travel with the opening of highways from the coast into the interior, and freight service ended in 1989 in the face of a severe competition from trucking companies.
The Kettle Valley Railway was created in part to help preserve both Canadian sovereignty within the Kootenay region of British Columbia, and also retain mining revenues in Canada.
Cycling this trail is truly a dynamic and challenging venture that unfolds over the expanse of place and time. Cyclists should be aware that this is a great little campground at Km 42.3 just north of Rhone. It has fire pits, a little beach, water, and really clean outhouses. Cyclists come from all over the World to experience this historic trail. Over 600 km of trails provide exciting recreation for people of all ages and cycling skill levels.
Built to connect the Kootenay region to the coast of BC through the southern Okanagan, it was 525 km (326 mi) long and traversed near-impossible terrain with trestles and tunnels. It was said to be the most expensive railway built anywhere in the world. Built in 1898 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, she now is dry-docked on the lakeshore. Activities include a short video, model railway display and self-guided tour of the vessel, which has plush Victorian dr, realistic displays and historic artifacts. Built nearer the City, this original strip was completed in 1928 and became, on May 9th, 1929, the first federally licensed airport in B.C. Airmen were trained there during W.W.II, and in 1946 a new field farther away from the built-up area was opened.
Trail users MUST be prepared for potentially long periods of sun exposure, and must bring sufficient water supplies. In addition, some of the trail surface in this area may be loose gravel, making a long uphill trip seem even longer. Trail is in great shape. Most interesting sections are Princeton to Coalmont (great cycling by the river through some mountain gorges/ ochre cliffs/ big tunnels) and beyond Brookmere (Cold Water River is beautiful).
Kelowna’s premiere tourist attraction is a scenic, nostalgic, leisurely, romantic and entertaining journey on board an original Super Continental cross-country passenger train through Canada’s scenic Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. The handsomely restored railcars make a round-trip north from Kelowna, traveling through two valleys, along three lakes, through the middle of a golf course, and past countless farms and orchards. Kelowna’s Accent Inn is right in the middle of the sunny Okanagan, a year-round recreation paradise, ideal for family vacations and ski or golf getaways. Sparkling Okanagan Lake is rimmed by sandy beaches, acres of orchards, famous golf courses and charming estate wineries.
Carved through rocky topography, the section through Naramata was one of the most difficult sections of the KVR to construct. Several trestles of the KVR have been rebuilt in the area. Carmi was once a booming town with a gold mine, a jail, a hospital, two hotels, two stores and gas stations. It is now a ghost town.
Open May through September, this recreation area features vehicle/tent sites and a picnic/day-use area. Remains of gold and silver mines that once brought thousands of people to this now peaceful area can be seen on the river’s eastern bank. Open May through September the park features 87 vehicle/tent campsites, including some group sites.? The sites are located at a bend on the west bank of the Kettle River nestled in an area of Ponderosa pine and birchgrass. Facilities provided include pit toilets, picnic tables, fire pits, firewood, water and a sani-station.? Recreational facilities include a children?s playground and some horseshoe pits.
Trestles are covered with a boardwalk and have railings. Eighteen trestles and two tunnels in a horseshoe loop allow breathtaking views of the Canyon and the City of Kelowna below. Trestles, tunnels and lake vistas are common on the surrounding trails, and the longest tunnel (1 km) on the CPR is just over the hill. We shuttle you to the height of land (in most cases) so your ride is almost always downhill.
Popularity: 1% [?]
No Comments »
