Gear up for the Kettle Valley Rail Trail
Perhaps the most popular cycling trail in British Columbia is the one and only historic Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail. Winding its way through the sun-soaked Okanagan Valley and beyond, the KVR is a 650-kilometre, largely gravel multi-use recreational trail connecting Hope to Castlegar. Part of the Trans Canada Trail, the KVR features historic trestles and tunnels, including the impressive Myra Canyon section in Kelowna, which includes 18 wooden trestle bridges and two tunnels. If you’re too short on time to undertake the entire route but you’re still long on adventure, consider the scenic and family-friendly 80-kilometre ride from Kelowna to Penticton. This often-busy route is particularly stunning, with views of orchards, vineyards and the shimmering waters of Okanagan Lake. (Note: As a result of extensive damage caused by heavy rain and flooding, a 67-kilometre between Princeton and the Coquihalla Highway will be decommissioned starting this year. An alternative route is available to bypass this section and experience other segments of the trail.
Coast along the Coastal Circle Route
Prepare for a bike-packing adventure loop around the Salish Sea on the epic 444-kilometre Coastal Circle Route. The journey begins at the Langdale ferry terminal on the Sunshine Coast for a 180-kilometre ride north along Highway 101, a.k.a. the Pan-American Highway, the longest road in the world. Linger in artsy Powell River before crossing over to Vancouver Island and south through Comox, Qualicum, Parksville and Nanaimo. The route is rich in dramatic coastlines, quaint seaside towns, waterfall parks and the myriad amenities of small-town coastal life.
Ride the Cowichan Valley Trail
A scenic decommissioned rail route on Vancouver Island, the Cowichan Valley Trail is a challenging and varied 122-kilometre gravel cycling path through some of loveliest towns and vistas on the Island. On this point-to-point cycle journey, ascend the Malahat Connector north of Victoria and pause to enjoy panoramic views from the Malahat Skywalk and its new glass overhang. Ride across the historic wooden Kinsol Trestle near Shawnigan Lake and visit the westernmost point of the Trans Canada Trail in Lake Cowichan. Enjoy some rambling along the E&N rail trail corridor between Ladysmith and Chemainus and admire the town’s famous collection of 60-plus murals before heading back to the provincial capital or continuing north to Nanaimo.
Meander through the Slocan Valley
The Slocan Valley Rail Trail is an easy and popular 50-kilometre former rail route between Crescent Valley and Slocan Lake. The course meanders along the contours of the Slocan River, passing through some of the most beautiful scenery in the province. The valley is an ecologically vibrant wetland, and is perfect for birding and spotting wildlife from the saddle or at the Walter Clough Bird Sanctuary. At the northern end of the trail in Slocan, park your bike and take a bracing dip in the lake, or use the village as a base to explore hiking paths in Valhalla Provincial Park or to learn about Japanese Canadian history at the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre in New Denver.
Power up for Seven Summits
Adrenaline fans meet their match in the monumental, mountainous 30-kilometre Seven Summits Trail in Rossland. This challenging, IMBA Epic-rated backcountry ride, acclaimed as the crown jewel of Rossland’s mountain bike trail network, is highly technical and physically demanding. The spectacular route was built by the Kootenay Columbia Trails Society in 2004 and features breathless climbs alternating with thrilling descents and sinuous singletracks along dramatic ridges, through high-country meadows and alpine forests. The trail opens by July 1 and closes in October, weather permitting.
