Bicyle Tour on Historical Kettle Valley Railway from Myra Canyon to Penticton

The best part of this 74-kilometre ride is the steady change of scenery. You begin high above the Okanagan at Myra Canyon, crossing 19 old railway trestles with broad views of the lake, then roll through tunnels, forests, rock ovens, and the Naramata bench before ending at a winery in Penticton. It is a full day, not a casual spin around town.

I like the slight downhill grade, which makes a long railway trail possible for riders with moderate fitness, and I like the mix of scenery and history. You are not simply pedaling from point A to point B. The trail’s interactive historical stops, trestles, tunnels, and old cooking ovens give the ride a sense of place. The main caution is distance: loose sand near Chute Lake can force you to walk the bike, and some rougher trail sections need better grading.

Key points to know before you book

• Nineteen trestles and three tunnels: The early Myra Canyon section delivers the most dramatic views and the clearest sense of the old railway route.
• A 74-kilometre ride with a gentle decline: The grade helps, but this is still a long day in the saddle.
• Loose sand near Chute Lake: You may need to walk your bicycle through sandy sections, and the lodge stop is at your own expense.
• A 489-metre tunnel: The Adria tunnel is one of the most memorable features beyond Chute Lake.
• Wine tasting at the finish: The ride ends at a Penticton winery with a complimentary tasting.
• Small-group logistics: Hotel pickup is available from Kelowna and West Kelowna, with a minimum of four people and a maximum of 14.

From Myra Canyon, the railway begins with a view

The day starts at 8 a.m., with pickup available from Kelowna or West Kelowna. That matters because Myra Canyon is the starting point, not the finish, and arranging your own transport would add another layer to an already long day.

At Myra Station, you begin on the former Kettle Valley Railway route. The railway’s old grade is useful to cyclists because it avoids steep climbs, and this route trends gently downhill for the full 74 kilometres. Do not mistake that for effortless riding. Time, rough patches, sand, and the sheer length of the route still require a moderate level of fitness.

The opening section is the visual highlight for many people. You cross 19 trestles with views over the Okanagan, surrounded by flowers and wildlife. The height and open views make this section feel grand without requiring a hard climb. Bring a camera, but keep it easy to reach. You will want to stop.

The tour also uses interactive trail information to explain the Kettle Valley Railway. That adds useful context to the bridges and tunnels. Instead of seeing an old railway grade as just a scenic bike path, you get a better sense of the workers, engineering, and difficult route that once connected communities in British Columbia.

The first stretch is scenic, but not the whole story

The Myra Canyon trestles are the obvious draw, and they deserve the attention. They provide the most dramatic combination of height, open views, and railway character. If your main goal is to see the trestles and enjoy a shorter outing, the early section is the part to focus on.

The full tour, however, continues well beyond the trestles. One useful point from the tour operation is that a shorter option may be possible in some circumstances, but this booking is described as the full 74-kilometre route. If you are unsure about your stamina, ask about the shorter choice before committing.

The trail condition is not perfectly even. Some sections receive less maintenance, and one rider specifically found that parts of the route needed more grading. That is not a reason to reject the ride, but it is a reason to expect a real trail rather than a smooth paved cycleway. A mountain bike or suitable touring bike is a better mental picture than a road-bike outing.

Chute Lake brings a sandy patch and a useful break

As you continue toward Chute Lake, the setting changes. The broad views give way to quieter stretches of the railway route, and the ride becomes more about distance and rhythm than constant scenery.

Near Chute Lake, loose sand can make riding difficult. You may need to get off and walk the bicycle for part of the way. This short section is worth knowing about in advance, especially if you are expecting the gentle grade to make every kilometre easy.

Chute Lake Lodge offers a possible stop for coffee or lunch, but lunch is not included and the restaurant’s opening hours should be checked before the tour. Do not count on this as a guaranteed meal. The tour provides a pannier with two bottles of water and two snack bars, which helps, but you should plan your food needs around a seven-hour day and the possibility that the lodge is closed.

The included water and snacks are small details, yet they are practical. You do not have to begin by carrying a full day’s supply, and the pannier keeps the basics with you. Still, the tour information clearly places lunch outside the price, so bring money and any extra food you know you will need.

Beyond Chute Lake, look for the rock ovens

The section beyond Chute Lake gives the ride more historical texture. Along the route, you pass old rock ovens used to prepare food for railway workers. These are the sort of details that can be easy to miss when cycling independently, particularly if you are concentrating on the trail surface and the next turn.

The ovens help explain the railway as a working construction project rather than a simple scenic line. Workers needed food, supplies, and temporary facilities in remote places. Seeing remnants of that support system gives the route a human scale.

You also reach a small tunnel and the 489-metre Adria tunnel. A tunnel of that length changes the mood of the ride. The open trestles offer sky and distance, while the tunnel brings you into a darker, enclosed section of the railway corridor. It is one of the tour’s most distinctive features, and the route description places it after Chute Lake.

The trail beyond Chute Lake can feel less polished than the opening trestle section. That is part of the trade-off. You get a more rugged and less manicured ride, but you should not expect the same smooth, easy surface throughout. If you prefer a highly maintained recreational path, this may be the point where the tour feels demanding.

The Naramata bench changes the final miles

As the railway route approaches the Naramata bench, the scenery opens again. You get views toward wineries and Okanagan Lake, bringing the day back to the region’s most recognizable setting: water, vineyards, and dry interior British Columbia.

This final section gives the ride a satisfying sense of travel. You start among the Myra Canyon trestles and finish in wine country, with the route connecting several distinct parts of the Okanagan rather than repeating one view for hours.

The gradual downhill helps here. You are not facing a long final climb after 60 or more kilometres, which would make the day much harder. Even so, tired legs can make a mild grade feel less mild. Pace yourself early, especially around the trestles, where frequent photo stops can make the day longer than expected.

The winery finish adds a proper ending

The ride finishes at a Penticton winery, where a complimentary wine tasting is included. The detailed route information names D’Angelo Winery as the endpoint, while the tour overview names Hillside Winery. Since those details do not match, confirm the current winery before booking if the final stop matters to you.

Either way, the tasting gives the tour a clear finish. After hours on the railway grade, you are not simply dropped at a parking area. You get a chance to sample local wine and shift from cycling mode to Okanagan wine-country mode.

The tasting is also part of the value calculation. At $184.58 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Myra Canyon. But the price covers a full-day guided route, pickup from Kelowna or West Kelowna, water, two snack bars, and the wine tasting. You are paying for the logistics of moving from Myra Canyon to Penticton, not just access to a trail.

Return transport is arranged from the Penticton finish back to Kelowna or West Kelowna. That transfer is a major benefit. A one-way route of this length would otherwise require someone to pick you up in Penticton or a separate vehicle arrangement.

What the guide adds to a long day

The guide matters most on a route this long. The tour operator’s guide Ben is singled out for being kind and helpful, including assisting with a pickup at Chute Lake when a rider could not continue. That suggests a practical, attentive approach rather than a guide who simply points you toward the trail and disappears.

Ben also provides background about the area, which fits this route well. The railway details, rock ovens, tunnels, and winery region are more meaningful when someone connects them for you. You can ride the route independently, but you would need to research the history and arrange transportation yourself.

The group size is limited to 14 people, which keeps the outing smaller than a large coach excursion. There is also a minimum of four people required for the booking. If your plans are fixed, keep that minimum in mind before building a whole day around this tour.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would choose this tour if you want a full-day Okanagan outing that combines cycling, history, scenery, and wine. It suits riders who can manage a moderate physical challenge and who enjoy a point-to-point route more than a short, leisurely loop.

It is especially appealing if you are staying in Kelowna or West Kelowna and do not want to solve the transport problem between Myra Canyon and Penticton. The pickup and return transfer make the route much easier to arrange.

You should think twice if you dislike rough trail conditions, cannot comfortably spend most of a day riding, or want a guaranteed restaurant lunch. The slight decline helps, but it does not erase 74 kilometres. You may also walk the bike near Chute Lake, and parts of the trail can be less carefully graded.

An e-bike upgrade is available for an additional fee. The supplied information does not state the upgrade price, so ask the operator before booking if you want that option. An e-bike may make the distance more manageable, but it does not remove the need for time, balance, and comfort on loose or uneven ground.

Service animals are allowed. The activity is recommended for people with a moderate physical fitness level, and confirmation is provided at booking. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons, so book only when your schedule and group are firm. If the minimum group size is not reached and the operator cancels, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Myra Canyon to Penticton ride?

Book it if the idea of crossing old railway trestles, riding through tunnels, seeing the Okanagan from several angles, and finishing with wine sounds better than spending the day on a short bike path. The 19 trestles and Myra Canyon views are the headline attraction, but the rock ovens, Adria tunnel, Naramata bench, and return transport make the full route worthwhile.

I would not book it casually as a simple sightseeing add-on. This is a long, active day with a few rough sections and no included lunch. Pack sensibly, confirm the winery endpoint, check the Chute Lake Lodge schedule, and be honest about your fitness.

For a rider who wants a memorable point-to-point route and values someone else handling the pickup and return, $184.58 can be a fair price. For someone mainly interested in the trestles and not the 74-kilometre commitment, ask about the shorter option instead.

FAQ

How long is the bike tour?

The route is approximately 74 kilometres and takes about seven hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8 a.m.

Where does the ride begin?

The ride begins at Myra Station in Myra Canyon.

Where does the ride finish?

The detailed route information names a Penticton winery, specifically D’Angelo Winery. The tour overview names Hillside Winery, so confirm the current endpoint when booking.

Is the route uphill?

The trail has a slight decline throughout the 74-kilometre route. Riders still need moderate physical fitness because of the distance and some rougher or sandy sections.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Chute Lake Lodge may offer coffee or lunch, but you should check whether it is open.

What food and drinks are provided?

A pannier includes two bottles of water and two snack bars.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is available from Kelowna or West Kelowna, with return transport from Penticton to those areas.

How many people are required for the booking?

A minimum of four people is required, and the maximum group size is 14.