Kettle Valley Railway / Trans Canada Trail in the Myra Canyon & Highlands: Chute Lake to McCulloch

The Myra Canyon section of the Kettle Valley Railway was built between 1912 and 1914. It was part of a “Coast to Kootenay” railway line that linked Midway, in British Columbia’s Boundary District, with the Canadian Pacific Railway main line at Hope. The railway carried freight and passengers through the Myra Canyon until passenger service ended in 1964 and the last scheduled train went through in 1973.

In June 1973 the Kettle Valley Railway section in the Myra Canyon, with its wood-frame trestles, tunnels, rock cuts, and awe-inspiring mountainous terrain, was used by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) as a location for filming a segment of Pierre Berton’s “National Dream” television film on the construction of the CPR through the mountains of British Columbia.

The province purchased the rail corridor from Canadian Pacific Railway in 1990. The Myra Canyon Trestle Restoration Society, established in 1992, has been instrumental in leading the restoration and maintenance of the corridor and trestles. Hundreds of volunteers have worked to cover the open trestle ties and timbers with boardwalks and to install railings to make the route safe and accessible for all ages and abilities. As a result, the trestles became a cornerstone of the Provincial Rails to Trails network, a vital link along the Trans Canada Trail, as well as a significant tourism asset attracting as many as 50,000 visitors a year.

In January 2003, the Myra Canyon section (from Mile 84.5 to Mile 90.5) of the Kettle Valley Railway was designated a National Historic Site.

The Kettle Valley Railway concludes its journey through the Okanagan as it winds its way from the Myra Canyon towards Hydraulic Lake at McCulloch Station. This portion of the trail is quite flat, dropping only about 20 metres in elevation at the halfway point, then regaining it at the lake.

Important: Much of this portion of the KVR runs through Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park, which has rules against motorized use on the trail. However, elsewhere on the KVR you will almost certainly encounter motorized vehicles along the route, particularly ATVs and dirt bikes, which could be travelling at high speeds. Over the years, unregulated motorized use has degraded the trail surface along the Kettle Valley Railway, making many areas quite challenging for hikers and cyclists. Users should come prepared for sandy conditions. Please see our equipment recommendations on the Okanagan main page or even more detail on our “Equipment Tips” page of our Travel Tips.

Kettle Valley Railway / Trans Canada Trail in the Penticton Area: Trout Creek to Chute Lake

The Trans Canada Trail within the Penticton area arrives downhill from Summerland and makes it way along the shore of Okanagan Lake before continuing north along the Kettle Valley Railway through Naramata and Rock Ovens park. This stretch of trail is probably the most popular portion of the KVR – everyone from joggers, hikers, bicycling wine tasters and hardcore mountain bikers can be found along the trail.

The climb from Naramata to Rock Ovens can often be hard, thirsty work so be sure to carry along refreshments. The Naramata Woodwackers often stock up a supply of drinking water bottles at the Ovens – bless their hearts!

Views along the trail continue to get better and better as one heads uphill, but Little Tunnel is exceptional; it’s a great spot for photos and possibly even a picnic!

Important: You will almost certainly encounter motorized vehicles along the route, particularly ATVs and dirt bikes, which could be travelling at high speeds. Over the years, unregulated motorized use has degraded the trail surface along the Kettle Valley Railway, making many areas quite challenging for hikers and cyclists. Users should come prepared for sandy conditions. Please see our equipment recommendations on the Okanagan main page or even more detail on our “Equipment Tips” page of our Travel Tips.

Kettle Valley Railway & Trans Canada Trail in the Summerland Area: Osprey Lake to Trout Creek

Kettle Valley Railway / Trans Canada Trail in the Princeton Area: Brookmere to Osprey Lake

The Trans Canada Trail in the Princeton area is entirely on the Kettle Valley Railway. The area encompasses the communities of Brookmere, Tulameen and Coalmont to the west of the town of Princeton, and climbs into the grassy highlands on its way to Osprey Lake – home to many seasonal cabins and camp sites.

The scenery is quite unique along the trail, a particular treat for those traveling along the KVR from the Fraser Canyon – while the coast is shrouded in fog and rain, the interior is often warm and dry. Ponderosa pines and grass grow under the blazing sun and blue sky.

Important: You will almost certainly encounter motorized vehicles along the route, particularly ATVs and dirt bikes, which could be travelling at high speeds. Over the years, unregulated motorized use has degraded the trail surface along the Kettle Valley Railway, making many areas quite challenging for hikers and cyclists. Users should come prepared for sandy conditions. Please see our equipment recommendations on the Okanagan main page or even more detail on our “Equipment Tips” page of our Travel Tips.