Camping
Camp sites include a mix of provincial, private and wilderness parks; on 3 of the 6 nights, hot showers are available (on 3 evenings we are at wilderness sites with solar showers and propane heated basins of water to wash).
Kettle Valley Trail Mountain Biking: Stage 2
From Beaverdell to Princeton
This tour incorporates the classic Kettle Valley line with overnights at McCulloch Lake, Chute Lake, West Summerland, Chain Lake and Princeton. We’ll average 55 km (34 miles) per day with highlights to include Myra Canyon and wine sampling in the Okanagan region of British Columbia’s interior.
*The July tour will donate $50 per participant to the Great Trail (Trans-Canada Trail).
The Tour can be combined with our Stage 1 which precedes or our Stage 3 which follows.
Want to know more? Read Robbin’s full story about Kettle Valley here.
Kettle Valley Trail Stage 2 – Mountain Biking
Beaverdell
Beaverdell, BC, Canada
Stage 2 Starting Location
Myra
Myra, BC, Canada
Penticton
Penticton, BC, Canada
Summerland
Summerland, BC, Canada
Osprey Lake
Osprey Lake, Okanagan-Similkameen H, BC, Canada
Princeton
Princeton, BC, Canada
Stage 2 End Location
Trip Inclusions
What’s Included
- Services of one or more experienced Great Explorations guide(s)
- Support vehicle
- 6 nights lodging
- All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
- Entrance fees for selected historical sites and museums
- GPS routes and maps
- All baggage transportation
What's Not Included
- Mountain bike rental
- Camping gear
- Transfer to Beaverdell on arrival day
- Transfer to Hope or Vancouver on departure day
Particulars
Departure Dates
| 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|
| Jul 11-17 | Jul 10-16 |
Trip can start at any date. Custom trips also available. Call or email for details.
Trip Size
8-16 participants
Total Days
7 days / 6 nights
Arrive/Depart
Beaverdell / Princeton
Activity Level
Moderate
20-37+ mi daily
Van supported
Terrain
The railgrade has a maximum grade of 2%. Note, however that due to the trail surface, sandy and loose in places, cyclists need to have good bike handling skills and stamina to do the full daily distances. Shorter options are available and it is possible to ride the 'best of' with strategic shuttles and have an easy-going trip.
Cost
Land Cost
CAD $2,150
Includes all meals
Bike Rentals
Mountain Bikes: CAD $320*
Transfers (bike transportation inc.)
- Arrival day:
- From Vancouver to Beaverdell: CAD $85
- From Hope to Beaverdell: CAD $85
- From Princeton to Beaverdell: CAD $65
- Departure day:
- From Princeton to Hope: CAD $55
- From Princeton to Vancouver: CAD $55
Prices subject to GST (5%) for trips in British Columbia.
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. 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
1
Day 1
Arrival Day
For those who have booked transportation from Vancouver, we transfer at 10 am to Beaverdell, stopping in Hope & Princeton to pick-up (you can park your car at the finish of the stage you are doing if you prefer). We arrive to our campsite near Beaverdell late afternoon and enjoy a welcome reception and dinner.
2
Day 2
Beaverdell to McCulloch Lake
Our ride today passes the ghost town of Carmi before continuing through the lush valley that gave the railway line its name. We’ll lunch at Arlington Lakes and then continue on to Hydraulic Lake where we overnight.
Distance: 24 km; 270 m gain or 55 km; 650 m gain
3
Day 3
McCulloch Lake to Chute Lake
Today, you’ll ride the spectacular Myra Canyon with its iconic trestles and views that are spectacular. We’ll reach Chute Lake late afternoon where our campsite is lakeside. Enjoy a cold beer at the historic Chute Lake Lodge or take a swim in the pristine lake.
Distance: 50 km; 360 m gain
4
Day 4
Chute Lake to West Summerland
Today, it’s a scenic downhill coast into Penticton. En route we’ll visit the rock ovens built by the railway builders to bake their bread in. The trail crosses through Naramata, BC’s famos wine region (Hillside Winery is right on the trail and tasting is possible). We vist the museum in Penticton, followed by a picnic lunch. From Penticton to Summerland you have the option to ride the railbed up and over 73 meter high Trout Creek bridge, the highest of its type in North America. Dinner will be at our campsite a few hundred meters from Okanagan Lake.
Distance: 42 km; 50 m gain (with shuttle) or 62 km; 250 m gain
5
Day 5
West Summerland to Osprey Lake
West of Summerland there is a new Trans-Canada Trail to Faulder; if you wish to sleep in and take the steam train for a section of trail this is an option (you would cycle the shorter distance and shuttle to Osprey Lake). We pass a number of pristine lakes, staying overnight at a beautifuy campsite at Osprey Lake.
Distance: 25 km (with shuttle) or 51 km; 865 m gain
6
Day 6
Osprey Lake to Princeton
We ride downhill to Princeton through some of the most beautiful scenery in British Columbia. Our ride will finish after crossing the newly built ‘Bridge of Dreams’ a cycling and pedestrian bridge completed in 2010 thanks to a determined Vermilion Trails Society, the City of Princeton and generous funders.Visit the local museum here and then reach our campsite located on the Tulameen River.
Distance: 52 km; 150 m gain
7
Day 7
Depart
Van transport will leave from Princeton after breakfast for Hope & Vancouver.
For those continuing with Stage 3, please refer to the Stage 3 Itinerary.
Tour Reviews
“I just came back from the Kettle Valley Trail. Thanks to the guides I felt good about my accomplishment. They were funny, entertaining and great cooks. I came home with great ideas and motivation to eat healthier. The fellow riders were all great folks. Thanks again to our guides for a wonderful time.”
“The guides did a great job & the food preparation was fantastic!”
“As this was my first ride of this nature, I didn’t have any real expectations about it. It was definitely challenging at times, but a good challenging. The group was well-suited to the terrain. The wine-tasting was nice; the choice for lunch excellent! It was glorious to come in to our tents already up!! Thank you!”
“Some stunningly beautiful scenery. On a camping trip we actually prefer camp meals if well done and indeed they were. We certainly were well taken care of.”
“The Okanagan is such a beautiful spot!”
“The GPS app worked well for me. Food was above my expectations. The wine tasting we went to was very good. Chateau Robin was awesome! It was more difficult than I expected due to the sand. But it was also my first trip so I wasnt sure what to expect. Now we know. Nothing that I could say was bad.”
“We thoroughly enjoyed the trip with the scenery, the challenge of the ride, the campsites and the food. The other
people on the trip were lots of fun too. The scenery was more interesting than I expected. It was also more remote than I expected and drier really. I had no idea what to expect with regard to lake swimming or what was meant by wilderness camping. We were very impressed by the variety of wild life we saw. All meals were excellent. The van was available when the terrain allowed it. We found the bikes to be excellent. I just love riding through the shady forest and seeing wild life and beautiful mountain scenery.”
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