The Kettle Valley Railway or KVR is an abandoned railway bed that winds through south central British Columbia between Midway and Hope. The section between Chute lake and Naramata is a switchback with a 2% grade. For about $25 you can hire a company to take your bikes up the pavement and gravel road from Naramata to Chute Lake.
Chute Lake is about 20 miles (32kms) north of Penticton via Naramata. The Chute Lake Resort is open year round but there is no charge to start your trip there. The historic resort sits at an altitude of 4000 feet (1219 metres.) In 2003 the Okanagan Mountain Park fire narrowly missed the buildings and scorched much of the surrounding forest.
This corridor is an easy grade in most sections. Along the way you can see the remnants of the original construction such as large rocks piled along the side. The rail bed is suitable for thinner road tires but mountain bike tires are ideal.
This portion of the KVR Trail travels through Ponderosa Pine forests as well as hills covered with cactus and sage brush.
Rock Oven Regional Park is a collection of stone and rock ovens built between 1911 and 1915. The 13 Rock Ovens on the Naramata section of the KVR represent the largest concentration of ovens in North America. The were built on railway constructions sites mostly by Italian stone masons. The Rock Ovens were used to bake bread and feed the Scandanavian, Eastern European and Italian workers.
Preservation is an important focus of the KVR Trail. This former water station at Adra is a good example. A hand-carved and painted sign adorns the overhang.
The Adra Tunnel bypass connects the upper and lower sections of the KVR. The tunnel is condemned do to instability. The spiral tunnel is about 1600 feet (489 metres) long. It was the longest tunnel on the KVR but now both tunnels are blocked to prevent access.
The KVR Trail is very well maintained. You'll find information signs and rest stops along the way.
This fallen tree turned into a walkway is one of many side trips. This trail takes you to another of the many Rock Ovens.
The view from the KVR Trail is stunning. This is the view looking south toward Penticton just before you enter Little Tunnel.
Our tour guide Mary takes a break outside Little Tunnel along Lake Okanagan. In the distance you can see Summerland, Penticton and Skaha Lake farther to the south.
Construction of the Kettle Valley Railway started in 1910. It was completed in 1916. The new rail line made it possible for daily passenger and freight service from Vancouver to Nelson. The opening of the Hope Princeton Highway (Highway #3) in 1949 changed things and over the next few years it made it no longer feasible to keep running the KVR. The last train on the Midway to Penticton section of the KVR ran in 1973 and in 1991 the tracks were pulled. The Province of B.C. took over the right of way in 1990.
