experience the Okanagan

5 Day All-Inclusive Cycling Holiday in Britsh Columbia

Duration: 5 Days

Cost: $2750 (Based on double occupancy)

Join the team at Into The Wild for an incredible cycling adventure along the Great Trail and Kettle Valley Rail Trail this summer!  On our five-day Okanagan cycling tour you will ride through some of the most spectacular landscapes British Columbia has to offer. This fun filled, action packed bike tour takes you off the beaten path and allows you to reconnect with nature. From the temperate rainforests on the coast to the fertile vineyards of the Okanagan Valley, this multi-day cycling tour has been carefully crafted to ensure guests get a true taste of British Columbia’s richness.

Itinerary 

Day One – Fraser Valley (38km cycle, 5km hike)

Guests will be picked up from downtown Vancouver and we will make our way to one of North Vancouver's hidden gems, Lynn Canyon Park. Here we begin our adventure with a breathtaking hike through the temperate rainforest, crossing a 150-foot-high suspension bridge that allows spectacular panoramic views over Lynn Creek and the park. In the rainforest we will learn interesting facts about the flora and fauna of this unique environment and all about the First Nations people who lived here for thousands of years.

Following the hike, we take the short drive out to Pitt Meadows in the Fraser Valley and begin the biking portion of the day. Here we will follow the Great Trail (Formerly called the Trans Canada Trail) through colourful farmland and meandering rivers against the backdrop of the magnificent mountains of Golden Ears and Garibaldi Provincial Park. When we reach Pitt Lake, the largest fresh water tidal lake in North America, we break for an "al fresco" lunch. Pitt Lake is also home to Widgeon Valley Natural Wildlife Reserve, a nesting area for marsh birds. From Pitt Meadows, we'll make our way to Harrison Hot Springs Resort for our first nights’ accommodation. At the resort guests can enjoy a soak in the warm restorative waters of the natural hot springs to help soothe their bodies after the days’ activities.

                                                                                                                                          Day Two – The Coquihalla Summit to Similkameen Valley (59km cycle)

Following a light and healthy breakfast we will make our journey onward over the top of the magnificent Coquihalla Pass. In Brookmere, we will begin our days bike riding along the historic Kettle Valley Rail Trail. The original Kettle Valley Railway opened in 1915. Now, the decommissioned tracks are home to an extensive recreational trail that provides almost 650 km (400 mi) of connected pathways from Hope to Castlegar. The scenery is quite unique along the trail, while the coast can be shrouded in fog and rain, the interior is often warm and dry. Ponderosa pines and grass grow under the blazing sun and blue sky.

This section of the KVR cycling trail follows the same routes of the fur traders, miners and prospectors who passed through these lands in search of wealth over a century ago. However, for thousands of years previously, this territory belonged to the Nlaka Pamux and Okanagan First Nation’s Peoples. As we continue along, we will pass through the towns of Tulameen and Coalmont on our way to Princeton. This section is one of the most scenic along the KVR with fewer travelers than other routes in the Central Okanagan – often we are the only cyclists here! This remote wilderness offers a great opportunity to get away from it all and enjoy the beauty of the land.  Highlights along the trail include Red Ocre and Peterson Bluffs, the spectacular sandstone formations of hoodoos and stone pillars, the Tulameen River, and Otter Lake.

Following the cycle, (if time allows) we can relax at Bromley Rock on the beach or enjoy a cool and refreshing swim in the Similkameen River after the days’ riding. Our accommodation for tonight will be in the Princeton area. Here we will enjoy dinner together on a stunning patio and chat about the day’s adventures.

Day Three – Osoyoos to Penticton (60 km cycle)

On our third morning we’ll enjoy breakfast at the hotel again and make our journey onward towards the Okanagan Valley, the fruit basket of British Columbia. This fertile region is renowned worldwide for its spectacular vineyards and huge varieties of locally grown produce.

The first portion of today’s bike ride will be along the breathtaking International Hike and Bike Trail just north of Osoyoos. The trail follows the Okanagan River through some truly spectacular scenery. It passes through carefully cultured vineyards, fertile farmland, and many oxbows and ponds where you can observe ducks, herons, eagles, and painted turtles in their home environment. After we pass through the town of Oliver, we will jump in the van for a short 5-minute drive up the steep hill to Covert Farm Family Estate, a 4th generation 650-acre organic farm, vineyard, and winery.

The grounds are a hidden gem in the Okanagan, here guests can choose from several activities; one can sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery, wander around the property and pick the local organic produce or partake in a group wine tasting. We will also enjoy a fresh and healthy lunch on the farm and rest for a while in the warm summer’s sun, before hitting the road again on our trusty bikes.

Following lunch, we will cycle along the scenic Willowbrook Road, passing through White Lakes Grasslands Protected area on route to Penticton. The rolling hills offer a great opportunity to view wildlife so keep your eyes on the road for rattlesnake, bear, deer or one of the fifteen species of bird found in this area. Along the way we will stop off for a refreshing ice cream cone at the famous Tickleberry’s in Okanagan Falls, before we rejoin the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. We will bike along the water’s edge of Skaha Lake, all the way into Penticton to our accommodation that evening. At the hotel guests can appreciate some free time and relax on their own schedule or take a trip into town to visit one of the great local eateries.

Day Four – Myra Canyon to Penticton (67 km cycle)

After breakfast, we make our way to Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park for a day of spectacular scenery in this historic region of British Columbia. Myra Canyon is home to one of the most famous bike rides in North America. Here the Kettle Valley Rail Trail runs along a steep-walled canyon in the shape of a horseshoe as it weaves its’ way down the mountain. Along the way we cycle over eighteen magnificent trestle bridges & two tunnels on our journey towards Penticton. This section of the KVR is often referred to as “McCulloch’s Wonder” in homage to the great engineer Andrew McCulloch who designed and constructed the Kettle Valley Railway in the early 1900’s. This corridor is one of the most dynamic routes in Canada, with impressive scenery and striking views over the Okanagan Valley. At Ruth Station we will leave the day trippers behind (most people only cycle the 12km section to here) and cycle along the Kettle Valley Trail deep into the wilderness.

Along the way we will stop for lunch at Chute Lake Resort on the grounds of the old station house, where one might feel as though they have stepped back in time. The restaurant and bar are a living museum with interesting antiques and artifacts displayed throughout. After lunch we will jump back on the bikes and descend over 3000 feet into the picturesque town of Naramata. As we pedal along, we are treated to some magnificent vistas over Lake Okanagan as the KVR trail runs parallel to the valley for our bike ride downhill. At Little Tunnel we will take a short rest and savor the spectacular sight for a while. As we descend into the Naramata Bench we will ride through beautiful wineries and colourful fruit farms. The Naramata bench has some of the best wineries in the Okanagan, so inevitably we must stop and sample some of the local treasures on offer. This short section of the KVR is one of our favorite bike rides in British Columbia, it is biking heaven all the way into Penticton. At the hotel guests can unwind before we freshen up for an excursion into town for a meal together. Tonight, we will celebrate our final evening together with some good food and company!

Day Five – “The Golden Mile” - Okanagan to Vancouver (34 km cycle)

Well they say all good things must come to an end….but not without one last magical bike ride! On our final morning, we will have a nice relaxed start to the day without a tight schedule to keep us on track. Today’s cycle will be a treat for weary legs, as we will ride along the quiet country roads of White Lake and Willowbrook Roads. The bike tour will be a pleasant ride, with a gradual decline of nearly 1500 feet over the course of day for some smooth sailing!

These roads are some of the finest cycling routes in the Okanagan and the subtle beauty of the landscape is completely unique in this part of the world. Less than 20km down the road is an area know as Nk’Mip Canyon, coined locally as Canada’s “pocket desert.” The bike route passes through an area that is rich in First Nation’s history, including eight archaeological sites, rock shelters and pictographs, as well as remnants of early European exploration including remnants of the Fur Brigade Trail.

As we pass through the dry, arid landscape around White Lake Grasslands, we will make our way into the heart of wine country, to an area known locally as the “Golden Mile”. Our cycling route meanders through lush vineyards and colourful orchards where you might feel as though you have been transported to the South of France. It is a stark contrast to where we began our cycle earlier that day. We will finish our bike ride at the lavish Tinhorn Creek winery and enjoy our final meal together on the spectacular grounds, toasting to an incredible five days in BC. Following our meal, we will begin our journey back to Vancouver and conclude our trip where our cycling adventure began.

Please check in with us for dates for the 2021 season - alternatively if you have a group of 5 people or more we can arrange a custom date to suit your schedule or feel free to contact us for a private tour.

Contact us at 778-877-6100 or info@intothewild.ca for more information regarding dates for the 2023 season