Contact
Great Explorations

(800) 242-1825
(604) 730-1247

“We found the people we met made the trip so special. Several of us have already been talking about which trip to go on next year.”

– Kay & Jim D,
Burlington, VT

More testimonials

Particulars

Tour Dates:

2008
June 25-28*
July 17-20
August 21-24
September 11-14

Custom trips also available and can start any date. Call or email for details.

2009
July 16-19
August 20-23
September 10-13

This tour can be combined with our Stage 2 which precedes.

Trip Size:

8-12 participants in July, August, Sept.

June departure will have a maximum of 24.

 

Total Days:

4 days/ 3 nights

Arrive/Depart:

Coalmont/Hope

Accommodations:

Camping

Activity Level:

Moderate
20-36+ miles daily
van supported

Terrain:

The railgrade has a maximum grade of 2%

Cost:

Land Cost (current year):
CAD$495/US$495 (June departure)


CAD$695/ US$695 (July, Aug, Sep departures)


Includes all meals

Bike Rental:
CAD$70/US$70
Mountain bike

Transfers:
Vancouver/Hope to Coalmont: CAD$35/US$35

Hope to Vanouver: CAD$35/US$35

 

Kettle Valley Trail, Biking

Stage 3: Coalmont to Hope

*The June 25-28 tour is a special departure as it will be the third of a 3-stage tour to celebrate the re-opening of Myra Canyon trestles. Dan Langford, author of 'Cycling the Kettle Valley', is expected to be on this trip, and we have planned festivities along the way to make it special.

For a short get-a-way from the city, this section of the trail makes for an ideal sampler (or finisher if you have done the other stages)! Our ride starts in Coalmont, a mining town with restored turn of the century buildings; we follow the verdant Tulameen River Valley, stopping at idyllic Otter Lake before reaching the Coley Creek Ranch of Burt Sharkey. On the next evening, we’ll overnight on Coquihalla Lakes. Sunday, we’ll ride downhill through perhaps the most spectacular section of all, the Coquihalla canyon and Othello tunnels through to Hope.



Itinerary

DAY 1:
For those that have booked transportation from Vancouver, we transfer by van to Coalmont, stopping in Hope (to pick up those who prefer to leave their cars there). After a welcome dinner, we’ll enjoy a restful night on Granite River.

 

DAY 2:
Coalmont to Coley Creek 33 km / 21 miles + options

Our ride start will be through the lush Tulameen Valley past Otter Lake en route to Coley Creek to a backcountry ranch, where we’ll be hosted by Burt Sharkey who has been known to pull out his guitar, fiddle and banjo. After dinner around the campfire, we'll try to tempt him to sing a few ballads.


DAY 3:
Coley Creek to Coquihalla Lakes 34 km / 21 miles + options

We’ll continue to Brookmere, with probably the best preserved railroad heritage buildings on the KVR. From here, we’ll loop south to the summit at Coquihalla Station and Coquihalla Lakes where a wilderness campsite awaits.


DAY 4: Coquihalla Lakes to Hope 58 km / 36 miles

It’s pretty much all downhill to the Ride finish. We take a mid-day hike up to Ladner Creek trestle for those that choose. Afterwards, you’ll visit Bridalveil Falls and then at Othello Station, one of the most famous sites of the entire KVR, the Quintette tunnels. The horseshoe path carved by the Coquihalla River (90 m deep) required engineering a route that must be seen. From here, the lush trail descends to a Ride Finish celebration at the Hope Museum.

Bus transport will leave from Hope at 4:00 p.m. for Vancouver for those that have booked.

*please note that trail conditions change from time to time and there may be occasions on this stage where detours from the trail are required due to washouts.

 

  • What's Included
  • Weather
  • Map

Map of the Area

Penticton Weather

What's Included in the Cost of Your Trip?

  • services of one or more experienced Great Explorations guides and support vehicle
  • 3 nights camping
  • all breakfasts, lunches & dinners (appetizers daily, healthy meals, lots of variety, vegetarians gladly accommodated)
  • entrance fees for selected historical sites and museums
  • detailed map, route instructions and Great Explorations Travel Guide
  • all baggage transportation
  • all transportation from initial meeting point to final drop-off (see arrive/depart cities)

Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% must be charged on trips in Canada.

Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are U.S. dollars but we gladly accept payment in Canadian dollars also. Due to cancellations and waiting lists, trip availability fluctuates daily. If you have any questions or would like to confirm space on this trip before making your reservation, please contact us at info@great-explorations.com or by telephone at 604.730.1247