Please take into consideration that this writing was several years in the making; things have changed from one year to the next as we completed this trek a section at a time. All distances mentioned are approximate.
Unlike the other subdivisions, many sections through this one are NON-MOTORIZED, except where noted.
The next section of KVR that we completed, is across Okanagan Lake, at Naramata. There is a parking area at the end-of-pavement on Smethurst road, located at N 49.596294° W 119.568856°. This entire section of KVR, from Little Tunnel all the way downhill into Penticton and all sections up to the Prairie Valley station in Summerland, are strictly NON-MOTORIZED. This lot is where we parked and off-loaded our bicycles to make the trip. It is 4.4 km from the parking lot to Little Tunnel, with a gentle railroad grade gaining about 100m of altitude along the entire length.
Orchards, vineyards and Okanagan Lake for as far as the eye can see, is your reward upon reaching the tunnel. What wonderful scenery the passengers on this train would have witnessed...
While at the tunnel, we took a small side trip/hike to a rock oven point-of-interest. The return to our vehicle afterwards was much easier, with gravity helping us.
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In September of 2022, we extended this trek to include the section from the Smethurst parking lot, into the town of Penticton
Unlike the other subdivisions, many sections through this one are NON-MOTORIZED, except where noted.
The next section of KVR that we completed, is across Okanagan Lake, at Naramata. There is a parking area at the end-of-pavement on Smethurst road, located at N 49.596294° W 119.568856°. This entire section of KVR, from Little Tunnel all the way downhill into Penticton and all sections up to the Prairie Valley station in Summerland, are strictly NON-MOTORIZED. This lot is where we parked and off-loaded our bicycles to make the trip. It is 4.4 km from the parking lot to Little Tunnel, with a gentle railroad grade gaining about 100m of altitude along the entire length.
The road to Little Tunnel
Little tunnel coming into view...
Orchards, vineyards and Okanagan Lake for as far as the eye can see, is your reward upon reaching the tunnel. What wonderful scenery the passengers on this train would have witnessed...
South entrance of Little Tunnel
North end of Little Tunnel
While at the tunnel, we took a small side trip/hike to a rock oven point-of-interest. The return to our vehicle afterwards was much easier, with gravity helping us.
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In September of 2022, we extended this trek to include the section from the Smethurst parking lot, into the town of Penticton
The railbed looks like it does in most other locations...
Soon after leaving the parking lot, we encounter Arawana station. Like most of the other stations along this line, this one has a "rest area" built on the old water tower base.
This section is all downhill, so it's an easy trek...still with many nice views along the way.
After crossing the Naramata bench, you travel through orchards and vineyards...eventually crossing the McCullough trestle.
Closer to town, we come across this interpretive center that displays the original "cow-catcher" from one of the engines.
A nice view of the north end of Penticton and Okanagan lake.
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On a different occasion, we also completed a portion of the downhill section from Chute Lake, but found the trail to be too loose and sandy, so we backtracked and exited. The next day, we did another uphill portion from Little Tunnel, past the Glenfir loop to the Adra Tunnel.
North entrance of Adra tunnel
South entrance of Adra tunnel
The Adra Tunnel is unique in that it is a spiral tunnel which maintains a 2.2% grade throughout its 489m of length. It is currently impassable and is blocked at both ends to prevent entrance, although the northern entrance is open for about 100m to allow tourists a glimpse of the inside.
Inside the north entrance
A small trail was added so as to bypass the tunnel completely, but it is still worth a look. The Glenfir loop, further downhill from Adra, served as a rest stop to allow the trains to cool their brakes, in preparation for the 20 km descent into Penticton.
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On yet another occasion, we travelled northwards from Chute Lake towards the Myra Canyon.
On yet another occasion, we travelled northwards from Chute Lake towards the Myra Canyon.
Chute Lake memorial boulder
Chute Lake served as another station back in the day, and remnants of the past can be seen here, such as the old windmill, the water-tower base and the railroad crossing.
Chute lake windmill atop the old water tower base
The next 16+ km (to the Bellevue Trestle) were among the most disappointing of the entire trip, mostly because of the railbed's condition and the lack of views. After leaving Chute Lake, the railbed becomes pockmarked with many holes, puddles and loose topping, which doesn't make for decent riding. Other than the mountainside, there is basically nothing to see until you pass Lebanon Lake and even then, the views are fleeting as they only appear through the trees from time to time.
Lebanon Lake
About 6 km's past Lebanon, the railbed enters the forest again, and the views disappear entirely...and the railbed does not improve. If you look closely in the canyon on the north side of the road, you may see the remains of some old wooden trestles, partially hidden by the forest...a few more years and they will fade from sight completely!
Old trestles, barely visible...
Bellevue trestle
The Bellevue Trestle at N 49.741250° W 119.411448° is one of the longest bridges on the KVR, spanning 238m in length and 65m in height. This trestle is listed as “non-motorized” which is a strange ruling, given that the road on both ends is not.
Unfortunately, after the Bellevue Trestle, there is not much to see again, until you reach Ruth Station some 8 km's later.
Another rock cut on the way to Ruth station
The remnants of Ruth station.
This last section of railbed can be unstable during heavy rains, and during our journey in September of 2018, there were many sections along here that had been "narrowed" and eroded by water. Although this entire section from Ruth to Chute Lake is multi-use, I would think twice about bringing any sort of 4-wheeled vehicle here.
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MYRA CANYON:
In 2016, we visited Myra Canyon for the first time. Our cycling adventure began at the Myra Canyon parking lot, not from Ruth Station...which is why these photos may appear to be from the wrong perspective.
The entire Myra Canyon is CLOSED to any sort of motorized traffic, and after seeing the area I totally agree. This is one section of the KVR that simply must be traveled slowly and deliberately, in order to appreciate every aspect and nuance of the work that went into its construction.
Overlooking Myra canyon past the first tunnel
One of two tunnels encountered through the Myra Canyon
Massive rock cut in Myra Canyon
S-shaped trestle #7
This section of the KVR contains the highest point of the entire railroad at 1430m above sea level.
As you cycle the 12 km trail, you will cross 18 trestles, pass through 2 tunnels and several huge rock cuts. Keep your eyes open for the rock ovens, the basalt columns and the overgrown water-tower base.
Basalt columns
Rock oven
The tallest trestle in this section is Trestle #4 which stands at 40m high and over 150m long. The whole canyon is a marvel to behold and should be on everyone's bucket-list.
Once you leave Myra, the scenery and awe-inspiring views end...there is the occasional rock-cut and lake, but nothing to compare to what you've just experienced in the canyon.
This base of a water-tower is just north of Hydraulic Lake.
Shortly afterwards, you pass by the massive watershed that is Hydraulic lake...
Then a smaller swampy-looking Summit Lake...
Then, the remnants of Cookson Station.
Shortly before reaching Arlington Lakes, we encountered another swampy-looking body of water...
This old section of retaining wall was found, just north of Arlington Lakes
Much of the route along this section was full of deep potholes, loose gravelly bits and numerous slides, particularly at every rock-cut.
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In June of 2023, we took a trip to the Kootenays and on the way home, stopped in at some of the access points for the KVR.
At Rock Creek, we climbed down to the rail trail at N49.042425° W118.875512° and proceeded Northwesterly. This section is supposedly "multi-use" but it could present some challenges to motorized riders, as the trail narrows to single-track in some places.
At Rock Creek, we climbed down to the rail trail at N49.042425° W118.875512° and proceeded Northwesterly. This section is supposedly "multi-use" but it could present some challenges to motorized riders, as the trail narrows to single-track in some places.
We encountered some creative rock sculptures along the way...
This particular section continues for about 4.5km before intersecting with Bubar Road at N49.058134° W118.928234°.
A bit further along, you will cross the Kettle River at this bridge, to make your way back to the main highway, as there is no more of the rail trail to access in this vicinity.
A bit further along, you will cross the Kettle River at this bridge, to make your way back to the main highway, as there is no more of the rail trail to access in this vicinity.
From here, we drove to the Kettle River Recreation Area and picked up the trail anew. We parked in the Public area and re-started our BICYCLE ride (although this section is apparently still "multi-use") and travelled Northwesterly again from N49.111788° W118.982323°.
The aftermath of the wildfire several years ago, is still obvious...
Only one real obstacle to get past...about 1km from the parking lot.
...and this rock-cut narrows to single-lane, a bit further past the fallen tree.
Upon closer inspection, it would be easier to cross this washout on the UPSTREAM side of where the trail used to be...downstream offers no passage.
As soon as we hit the washout, it began to rain so we turned-tail and made our way back to the campground...opening and re-closing 4 gates along the way. By the time we got back, the rain has abated, so we carried on Southward...over the bridge.
This section of trail offered little in the way of views or points-of-interest, other than the old mine sites that have been back filled. This section of trail had several soft-spots along the way where the sand was deeper than normal and could be a hazard to younger cyclists.
Once we reached the end of the trail at N49.065358° W118.999459°...we turned around and headed back to our truck in the parking lot.
Once we reached the end of the trail at N49.065358° W118.999459°...we turned around and headed back to our truck in the parking lot.
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In June of 2024, we returned to the area to complete the last NON-MOTORIZED section from the aforementioned bridge (N49.042425° W118.875512°) and travelled in an Easterly direction, towards Midway.
The trail starts off well-enough, but within the first km, it quickly becomes rough and overgrown. I suspect that in less than a decade, this portion will be reclaimed by Mother Nature.
The trail alternates between double and single track in places and at some locations, the "trail" veers completely from its course to accommodate agricultural concerns.
Still, every now and then, you are rewarded with a decent view...
Still, every now and then, you are rewarded with a decent view...
After 10 km of pedalling, opening and closing fences...we arrive at the Mile Zero mark of the KVR and C&W rail trails.
The return trip takes 35 - 50 minutes, depending on your pedal-speed...bring water and your essentials.
Although we were unable to complete the Carmi subdivision on this last visit to the area...we managed to take a BIG piece of the last remaining section. From Lois station, all the way south to Zamora station which is basically where our pedal-journey ended, north of the Kettle River Recreation area.
We travelled by road from Rock Creek to just north of Carmi, where we took an FSR which led to the intersection with the KVR at N49.53827 W119.08918. From this point, we travelled southwards along the railbed.
We travelled by road from Rock Creek to just north of Carmi, where we took an FSR which led to the intersection with the KVR at N49.53827 W119.08918. From this point, we travelled southwards along the railbed.
Soon after travelling along here, you encounter Lois Station at N49.51505, W119.11562, that is to say, you come to a rest area named after the station.
The trail then turns inland and follows the valley contour.
Until you eventually cross the Wilkinson Creek bridge at N49.53416, W119.17888.
...and this is one of those portions of the KVR trail which is really quite unimpressive and boring quite frankly; very little to see.
Every once in a while, you'll be creekside.....
Every once in a while, you'll be creekside.....
...or you meet up with a station's kiosk....
But most of the time...it's just this, with varying textures of railbed, or countless potholes or numerous "whoops"...
Shortly after Beaverdell station, we encountered this...easy enough to get around, but since we were encroaching on ranchland, they made it clear that they did NOT want to deal with any motorized equipment.
We decided to cut our losses and backtracked to the pavement and travelled south along #33 until we met up with the Tuzo Creek FSR at N49.37758, W119.09547, where we picked up the KVR rail trail again, near N49.37979, W119.10033.
Taurus station and water tower base.
Taurus station and water tower base.
Shortly after Taurus station, we were presented with the best feature of this section...the West Kettle River canyon.
An awesome bit of water-erosion on display at N49.28665 W119.03174
West Kettle river...further downstream from the canyon...
After passing the Little Dipper campground, the KVR disappears in places...sometimes it's a single trail through Private Property, sometimes it parallels the roadway, sometimes it vanishes altogether. But eventually, it re appears near N49.20545 W119.01025 and remains (still boring) until Westbridge Station at N49.16973 W118.97610.
At Westbridge, the trail crosses the road and continues onward through this depressing and desolate moonscape. At times, the trail narrows considerably and there are several deep dips. There are even signs warning that trees/branches may fall at any time...this is a result of the wildfire that went through here several years ago.
The rail trail continues along this path until Zamora Station at N49.14903 W118.98268 whereon it crosses through a large field, a short treed section and then another field before coming to the creek crossing we encountered last year at N49.133968° W118.987035°.
This was, without a doubt, the most disappointing sub-division of the entire KVR. Aside from some scenery at the Naramata end and the Myra Canyon it really isn't worth the time to visit.
The entire section from Myra eastwards was uninspiring, overgrown or overgrowing...wracked with obstacles...and generally lacking in maintenance or upkeep. If there was a list of "must see" sections of the Kettle Valley rail trail, this part (from Myra to Midway) would NOT be on it. It would be challenging to complete on bicycle, as many sections have vanished from existence.
Nevertheless, we needed to complete the entire route, so we had to take the bad with the good...I'm sure that those building it were relieved at the "boring" sections of flat track and a few trees.
KVR completed...now, on to the next challenge!
Thanks for this. Some great info. I didn’t realize a few of these sections were non motorized
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