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Kettle Valley Railway - Myra Canyon

Kettle Valley Railway - Myra Canyon near Kelowna, BC

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This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars

12 kms
3hours
easy
Snowshoeing, Hiking, Cross Country Skiing, Mountain Biking
Spring, Winter, Fall, Summer
Kelowna, BC

trailpeak

LARGER MAP

NOTE: Due to the disastrous forest fires that swept through this area in the summer of 2003, you should check on the condition of this trail before heading out.

BETTER NOTE: As of June 2008, Myra Canyon is fully open for business. There may be a little bit of finishing touches so a call might be in order, but you should be good to go!

The old Kettle Valley Railway bed in Myra Canyon is a great ride for cyclists of all abilities. Remnant trestles and tunnels make the route especially appealing. Marvel at turn-of-the-century construction feats used to surmount the many drainages that ring the valley headwall. Myra Canyon can be cycled as a loop via June Springs Road/ Little White FSR or as an out-and-back from Myra Station to Ruth Station.If you chose the less strenuous option, and drive up to Myra Station, you won't have to contend with the 500 vertical metre grind to the rail bed. In summer, this can be a hot, dusty grunt. Saving the loop until fall may be the ticket. Whatever you decide, standing on the high trestles at 1000 metres provides a welcome and cool sub-alpine breeze as it funnels down the canyon displacing hot air in the valley below.

The riding is straight forward and enjoyable. Thanks to various local rotary clubs and donations from small businesses, the trestle ties have been boarded ensuring smooth safe travel. The bridges all have railings making it virtually impossible for a cyclist to catapult into the abyss. The railway bed is smooth and sandy with only a few washouts and rocks to detour around. This high route is scenic, historic and recommended. Snow usually persists till mid-April so plan your adventure accordingly.

Other Details:
Distance 12km out and back
Elevation Gain 150m
Terrain - Double track 100%
High Point 1050m
Map -82 E/14 & E/11

Approach:
Cross Okanagan Lake on the span bridge into Kelowna . Travel east, and in 1 kilomete reach Pandosy Road and turn right. Follow Pandosy south for 3.5 km and turn left on to KLO Road. At 8.7 km turn right on McCulloch Road. Continuing on McCulloch, pass June Springs Road at 12.4 km (loop possible here by connecting with the Little White FSR). McCulloch turns to gravel at 14.5 km. Turn right uphill at 16.7 km and gain elevation (350m) to the old remnants of the Myra Station at 25.5 km. Turn right to the parking lot at 1000m and prepare to cycle.Ride

0km 1000m Parking Lot

2.8km 1020m Beginning of the trestles

3.8km 1050m Summit of the Carmi Subdivision of the Kettle Valley Railway

6km 1000m Ruth Station

Trail write-up and photo submitted by Greg Maurer, author of Mountain Biking in South Western B.C.)

By Posted By: MichaelV - Sat Sep 06 02:09:48 EDT 2008 Upside Magnificent views, several benches along the trail to sit over looking the canyon Downside no downside Comment My friend and I decided to walk this trail while we were in Kelowna a few weeks ago. We didn't have our bikes with us so we walked the whole 11k starting from the Myra station to Ruth station and back to Myra station again. It took us close to six hours back and forth. It was a long hike but it was all worth it. Looking at all the burned trees, the new trestles and the magnificent views all around it was stunning and going through the two tunnels are cool. The weather at the time was partly cloudy so it was an ideal day for a long hike, and our feet were tired by the time we got back to the car but it was all worth it.

By Posted By: finishline - Tue Jul 17 23:37:39 EDT 2007 Upside Great easy riding for all levels of two wheel enthuastist. Downside front way is closed to construction right now.
So ride the myra cyn bypass road, acessable from the same parking lot. Comment Good easy riding with lots to see. The ride can be long so definetly pack water in and don't forget the lunch. You might encounter a few cows so be prepared to "run with the cows"

By Posted By: spikemarlin - Fri Feb 13 00:50:32 EST 2004 Downside Twelve of the 18 trestles burned, and were completely destroyed, during the forest fire of 2003. Comment While there is talk that they will start reconstruction in May, they will not all be finished this year (2004). Expect two-three years before they are finished as the building season is not that long. I believe that a alternate route will be built around the burned areas until the trestles are rebuilt.

By Posted By: Urban trekker - Thu May 16 21:22:33 EDT 2002 Upside Easy riding, very scenic, can be hot in summer time so carry water. Also is busy with lots of people on it. Downside No downside - to good a ride to complain about Comment The access road is steep and rough - however the great ride makes up for this bummer.