The Kettle Valley Rail Trail (KVR) is more than just a scenic bike route through British Columbia’s Okanagan region—it’s a journey through some of the area’s history. Once part of the Kettle Valley Railway, this stretch was built to connect the BC Interior’s mining communities to the coast. Today, the tracks are gone, replaced by a multi-use trail that’s part of the 24,000 km Trans Canada Trail, but the heritage remains in its trestles, tunnels, and stonework.
While the KVR trail spans 660 km from Hope to Castlegar, we wanted to ride a section called Myra Canyon. Myra Canyon is one of the most breathtaking sections of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. Famous for its 18 wooden trestles and two rock tunnels clinging to the canyon’s steep walls.
The Myra Canyon trail is 24 km in total, out and back, which can easily be done hiking or biking in a day. But we were looking for a bikepacking adventure! We added Penticton to Chute Lake to Myra (and back) over 3 days, totalling just over 150 km. It would have been nice to just cycle through and end our trip farther along the KVR trail. However, this would have required organizing a vehicle at the other side, or more time, neither of which was feasible for us.
KVR Trip Logistics
Mark and I are primarily road cyclists, and we’ve dabbled in gravel rides locally. Mark is also a mountain biker, often choosing trails that require uphill pedalling. Riding ~50 km per day is not uncommon for us. But the steady incline, loaded bags and rough terrain added a lot of time and effort. We were prepared well with high-carb snacks (gummy candies) for the rides and calorie-dense meals.
Distance & Route
- Day 1: Penticton to Chute Lake – ~40 km, steady uphill on a 2% rail grade
- Day 2: Chute Lake to Myra Canyon and return – ~72 km round trip, rolling terrain
- Day 3: Chute Lake to Penticton – ~40 km, mostly downhill
Trail Surface
- Packed gravel, with some sandy or loose sections. A gravel, touring, or mountain bike with wider tires is recommended.
Best Time to Go
- Late spring to early fall. Summer offers warm weather and dry conditions, but it can be hot—start early. On our return day it was already 30 degrees by 0900.
Accommodation
- Chute Lake Lodge – Rustic cabins, lodge rooms, and camping available. Meals are served on-site – the menu is amazing – try the Loaded Waffle Fries & Apple Donuts.
- Chute Lake Recreational Site – a site with maybe 10 camping sites with picnic tables beside the lake.
Highlights
- Myra Canyon Trestles – 18 restored trestles and 2 tunnels with panoramic canyon views.
- Adra Tunnel -490-metre-long hand-dug tunnel carved through solid rock
- Bellvue Trestle -one of the most striking trestles, but separate from Myra, meaning fewer people and unobstructed views!
- Rock Ovens Park – Historic stone ovens from the early railway days.
Tips
- Bring extra water or methods for filtering/purifying water—there are limited refill spots on the trail.
- Expect cooler temperatures at higher elevations, even in summer.
- A small repair kit is a must; services are sparse along the route.
- Wear quick-drying clothing because you will get sweaty and your comfiest padded bike shorts!
Day 1: Penticton to Chute Lake
Starting in Penticton, the ride climbs gradually along the historic rail grade, winding past vineyards, orchards, and the sparkling waters of Okanagan Lake. The gentle incline makes for a steady but manageable ascent, with wide-open views of the valley below. About halfway up, you’ll pass Rock Ovens Park—home to the dry-stone ovens built by Italian workers who constructed and maintained the railway. These stone domes once baked fresh bread for the crews, and their preservation is a glimpse into the lives of early 20th-century labourers.
The crowd of riders thins out here, and the trail becomes more rocky with some very sandy sections. This part is a set of long switchbacks that are a little soul-crushing after the gorgeous first half of the ride. Make sure to take the slightly longer route and pass through the Adra Tunnel, a 490-metre-long hand-dug tunnel carved through solid rock. Much like the trestles at Myra, the tunnel was an impressive feat of engineering for its time. Today, it’s cool, echoing interior offers a welcome break from the summer sun. It truly is pitch dark in the winding tunnel, with motion sensor lights flicking on just as you think you might crash. They’ve also added audio of a steam train passing through, which elevates the experience!
The last stretch to Chute Lake feels remote, with the scent of pine and the crunch of gravel under your tires. We stayed at the Recreational Site, but did pop over to the Chute Lake Lodge for well earned beer and snacks. The Lodge is rustic with rooms, cabins and yurts available.
Day 2: Chute Lake to Myra Canyon Trestles and Back
Feeling very grateful for a lighter load without our gear, we rode north from Chute Lake into the forested highlands. The KVR follows a forestry service road for a bit and continues to have sandy and loose gravel sections as well as potholes and larger rocks. Still riding with some elevation until reaching the first and forgotten trestle – Bellevue. Honestly, this was our favourite. This trestle is long and has a sweeping curve, allowing views of the scaffolding below. Plus, there was no one else around! The route eventually leads to the Myra Canyon Trestles. Here, 18 wooden trestle bridges and two rock tunnels curve dramatically along the canyon walls. Built in the early 1900s, the trestles were an engineering marvel of their time.
The area was restored after the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire destroyed many of the original structures, making it both a marvel of history and modern preservation. Crossing the trestles offers sweeping views of the canyon far below—a mix of exhilaration and awe.
After exploring Myra Canyon, we retraced our route back to Chute Lake for another night in the quiet wilderness.
Day 3: Chute Lake to Penticton
The ride back to Penticton is a gentle downhill that rewards all the climbing of the first day and the distance of the second. With gravity on our side, we relaxed and soaked in the sweeping Okanagan vistas, the scent of sagebrush and pine, and the sound of tires crunching over gravel.
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