The Kettle Valley Railway Tour is one of the most dynamic drives in Canada, with plenty of amazing scenery and spectacular views. It winds 430 kilometres (258 miles) through all types of terrain, from cool mountain forests to Canada's only true desert climate. The two-to-three day journey takes you through mountains and over rivers to challenge bluffs that made the elevated Kettle Valley Railway one of the most expensive lines in the world. The 1915 Kettle Valley Railway has long been out of service, but the history and line trails still draw visitors eager to explore the Okanagan's backcountry. In 2003 wildfires destroyed several trestles through the Myra Canyon. They are currently being rebuilt, but in the interim, BC Trails is developing a by-pass.
Tourism Region
This tour is tailored for those who wish to explore the southern quarter of the Thompson Okanagan Region. Along the route there are several towns that aren't mentioned below but give them a visit, as each community has something unique to offer.
Route Directions
- From Princeton, take Highway 3 east to Keremeos (66km / 40mi) and then wind down into Osoyoos (46km / 28mi).
- Highway 3 continues to Rock Creek (52km / 31mi), where the tour travels north on Highway 33 to Kelowna (133km / 80mi).
- Take Highway 97 south along the sunny side of Okanagan Lake to Peachland (23km / 14mi) and then down to Summerland (37km / 22mi). Follow the gravel Prairie Valley Road through the backcountry to Princeton (92km / 55mi).
A Brief History
When silver ore was discovered in the Kootenays in 1887, American miners were eager to bring the new Canadian found wealth to the south. To stop this outflow of resources, the Canadian Pacific Railway was extended to include a much needed Coast-to-Kootenays line. For this purpose, construction of the Kettle Valley Railway was promptly started in 1910. There were many hardships, and construction costs were high. However, with over 5,000 men working, the Kettle Valley Railway was finished just 5 years later on July 31, 1916.
The Kettle Valley Railway suffered from many problems that eventually lead to its abandonment. The Coquihalla subdivision was plagued with numerous washouts, plus snow and rock slides. In time, it became too costly to maintain. As well, the Great Depression and growing popularity in air travel meant that fewer and fewer passengers were buying tickets. The final closure came when Highway 3 opened in 1949. In the years follwing, the Kettle Valley Railway was no longer profitable and in January 1964, the last passenger run was made. Eventually, the tracks were dug up and the rest of the infrastructure was left for Mother Nature to erode.
Today, the Kettle Valley Railway is very much alive. A 1924 Shay steam engine pulls 1950s passenger cars through the hillsides overlooking beautiful Okanagan orchards and vineyards. The 16km (9.5mi) of remaining track takes 2 hours to cover and is found just west of Penticton. With over 600km (360mi) of amazing scenery and a grade that never exceeds 2.2%, the abandoned railroad bed has become a popular trail where people hike, mountain bike, four-by-four, and horseback.
Tour Experiences
Start the tour in Princeton, a recreation paradise. Surrounded by spectacular lakes and provincial parks, Princeton offers fishing and camping year round. One of the major attractions is the Trans-Canada Trail, which offers hiking and biking in the summer and snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter. Here, only a tunnel and a loop of track that served as a turn around for the trains are left of the Kettle Valley Railway. Follow the Crowsnest Highway 3 along the sagebrush banks of the Similkameen River and take in the surrounding Cascade Mountains. Your first stop should be the Mascot Mine, which has recently been restored and opened for tours. This enduring landmark chronicles the history of Hedley's mining past and gives visitors a thorough glimpse into the 80 year-old structures.
Travel 66km (40mi) further down Highway 3 to Keremeos, home of the oldest working water wheel in North America. With buildings dating back to 1900, stepping into Keremeos is like stepping back into the old west, where cattle ranching and hay rangling were staples of everyday life. Keremeos is the self-proclaimed "fruit stand capital of Canada", which is not surprising as it hosts more fruit stands per capita than any other Canadian city. Keep following the Crowsnest Highway 3 along the Similkameen River through the farming community of Cawston and south into Canada's only true desert environment.
At the very southern end of the South Okanagan, just 46km (28mi) southwest of Keremeos, there's the bustling town of Osoyoos. Renowned for being situated in the middle of Canada's only desert, it is considered an oasis amidst the landscape. It's also where you will find the warmest freshwater lake in all of Canada, Osoyoos Lake. In and around Osoyoos, low rainfall and sandy soil create a desert environment that is home to over 30% of British Columbia's threatened and endangered wildlife, rare insects, and plants. You can view this ecologically sensitive desert area at the Osoyoos Desert Centre. Spring comes early, fall stays late and the mild winters and friendly small town atmosphere make it the perfect place for snowbirds seeking respite from harsher weather elsewhere.
Leaving Osoyoos, Highway 3 climbs up to Anarchist Summit. The viewpoint is a great place to give your car a rest and look out over the beautiful Okanagan Valley. Continue 52km (32mi) to the small community of Rock Creek, which is primarily a cattle ranching and fruit producing community with a history of once being a prosperous mining town. From here, head north onto Highway 33 where the tour route follows the old Kettle Valley Rail grade as it winds its way along the banks of the West Kettle River. Take in the beautiful scenery, but keep your eyes open for the McCulloch Road turnoff 95km (57mi) north of Rock Creek. Leave your vehicle at the Myra Canyon Parking Area and explore the stunning outstretched valley where trestles cross 13km (8mi) of railroad. This section of the rail is ideal for hiking, especially in the spring and summer. Handrails and decking have been added for the safety of the numerous visitors who tour the region. Even with the smooth, easy grade, hikers should be mindful of the many washouts.
Return to McCulloch Road; meander through the orchards and into the city of Kelowna - a city for all seasons. It's a place where the climate is mild and sunshine abounds. Kelowna is the largest city in the region and is blessed with spectacular mountain scenery, large pristine lakes, sandy beaches, and fruit laden hillsides. This is a true haven for the serious vacationer, offering golf, skiing, boating, fishing, water sports, wineries, orchard and garden tours, hiking, mountain biking, shopping, fine dining, arts, cultural activities, and everything in between.
Situated on the shores of Lake Okanagan, Kelowna receives an average of only 33cm (13in) of precipitation per year, solidifying its reputation as a vacationer's paradise. Here you can enjoy one of the longest golf seasons in Canada, running from March to November. Home to several world-class courses, Kelowna is a premier golf destination for some of the best golfers.
Those who want to unwind and relax are encouraged to take in a winery tour. The burgeoning wine industry has helped put Kelowna on the world stage. Throughout the hillsides are miles of vineyards with vistas to be enjoyed by all. The wineries all welcome visitors to taste their award-winning wines and tour their facilities.
Myra Canyon is accessible through a forestry road south of Kelowna. The stretch of railroad passing through the canyon offers spectacular scenery and is a fine example of early twentieth century railway construction. It was here in the Myra Canyon that wildfires destroyed several of the trestles in 2003. While they are being rebuilt an alternate trail is being developed.
Travel 23km (14mi) on Highway 97 southwest to Peachland. Ironically, the accommodating town is now known for its lovely and evocative beaches, not peaches. Peachland is a tranquil and charming town, with its doorstep on the banks of the great Okanagan Lake. The best time of year to visit Peachland is in the spring and summer, when the fruit trees are in full bloom and the summer weather is in full effect.
Summerland, 37km (22mi) further down the road, was only connected to the Kettle Valley Railway after the construction of one of North America's largest trestle bridges. At 73m (235ft) high and almost 200m (650ft) long, the McCulloch trestle is a good example of the challenges that this regional railway had to overcome. It is a spectacular place, offering visitors over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, as well as an incredible landscape of rolling hills, lush orchards and thriving vineyards. Here you'll find some of the best beaches in the Okanagan. Peach Orchard Beach has a water park and boating facilities, while Okanagan Provincial Park and Sun Oka Beach Provincial Park are home to a white mile of sandy shoreline.
Just west of Summerland is one of the most spectacular features of the entire the Kettle Valley Railway. The Trout Creek Bridge is the highest bridge along the railway at an amazing 73 metres (235ft) above the ground. The 188 metre (617ft) span is viewed from the Agricultural Research Station at Summerland, just off Highway 97 near Sunoka Beach. The Agricultural Research Station is known for its public tours - particularly for the unique xeriscape gardens that never fail to fascinate visitors.
From downtown Summerland, travel west on Prairie Valley Road. This twisty 95km (55mi) back road is half gravel and follows the railway grade through to Princeton. During the Kettle Valley Railway's operation, communities along this stretch of track were bustling and the train would stop at eleven stations. Today, there is little settlement other than a few backcountry homes. Once back in Princeton, your tour behind the hills of the Okanagan Valley and the former Kettle Valley Railway is complete.
Links
Explore the Communities along the Kettle Valley Railway
Circle Tour
Need a place to stay or camp while exploring the Kettle Valley Railway Tour?
British Columbia's Circle Tours
