Contact
Great Explorations
(800) 242-1825
(604) 730-1247
“What I enjoyed most about the trip was the guides-nothing was too much for them and the food quality and quantity was 1st class. It's hard to improve on perfection”
– Geroge Smekal,
Nanoose Bay, BC who, at 79 yrs completed stage 1, 2, 3 on our July, 2010 trip.
Particulars
Tour Dates:
2013
July 18-21
Custom trips also available and can start any date. Call or email for details.
This tour can be combined with our Stage 2 which precedes.
Trip Size:
12-16 expected
Total Days:
4 days/ 3 nights
Arrive/Depart:
Coalmont/Hope
Accommodations:
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
Includes all meals
Bike Rental:
CAD$70/US$70
Mountain bike
Transfers*:
Vancouver to Princeton: CAD$65/US$65
Hope to Princeton:
CAD$35/ US$35
Hope to Vanouver: CAD$35/US$35
*these fares include bike transport if needed
Kettle Valley Trail, Biking
Stage 3: Coalmont to Hope
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 Princeton, a mining town with restored turn of the century buildings; we follow the verdant Tulameen River Valley, stopping at idyllic Otter Lake where an indyllic campsite awaits. 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.
This event will support TheBigWild.org to help raise awareness and funding for Canada's wild places.
Itinerary
DAY 1:
For those that have booked transportation from Vancouver, we transfer at 12:00 noon by van to Princeton, 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 the Tulameen River.
DAY 2:
Princeton to Otter Lake 40 km / 25 miles
Our ride start will be through the lush Tulameen Valley riding west of Princeton to Otter Lake. En-route, we'll stop to visit Coalmont, a turn-of-the-century mining town that has many restored building and a rich past.
DAY 3:
Otter Lake to Coquihalla Lakes 61 km / 37 miles
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 approx 4:00 p.m. for Vancouver arriving at 6:00 pm for those that have booked. Greyhound also offers service at 2:10 (arrives 5:05) and at 6:10 (arrives 9:00 pm) at a cost of $29.
*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.
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 (HST) of 12% 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