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One of the scenic and pleasing bike trails close to Kelowna is Myra Canyon Path in Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park. Recognized for its historic trestle bridges, rock tunnels, and viewpoints looking over Myra Canyon, the path is a simple bike journey filled with stunning sights.
Since I really like previous bridges, canyons, and bike driving, I advised that my buddies and I try the Myra Canyon trestles path throughout a woman’s journey to the Okanagan. Earlier than I share my description of the Myra Canyon bike journey, right here is a few details about this distinctive path.
In regards to the Myra Canyon Trestles Path
The Myra Canyon Path is a multi-use leisure path that when was a part of the historic Kettle Valley Railway. The railway opened in 1915 however was steadily deserted beginning in 1961. A lot of the unique route has been transformed right into a path for cyclists and hikers, generally known as the Kettle Valley Rail Path, and Myra Canyon is among the hottest sections due to its excessive focus of trestle bridges.
There are 18 trestles alongside the path and two tunnels going via the canyon’s rocky edge. The flat path additionally gives good views of Kelowna and Okanagan Lake within the distance, plus the canyon’s surrounding hills and forests. There are even some indicators alongside the route sharing details about the path’s historical past and sights.
The Myra Canyon trestles path is 11 km lengthy between Myra Station and Ruth Station (there’s a car parking zone at each ends). For the reason that route is point-to-point, to journey the total path and get again to your start line will likely be 22 km. It took me 2 hr 10 minutes to finish my journey with loads of brief stops to take photos. At a reasonable tempo, I’d plan for the journey to take 2- 2.5 hours or 3 hours if you wish to take a whole lot of breaks.
Biking Myra Canyon Path- My Expertise
My bike journey began on the Myra Station car parking zone, the primary entrance to Myra Canyon Path. I rented a motorcycle from the store on-site after which rode to the trailhead on the south finish of the car parking zone.
On the trailhead, there’s a map of Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park and Myra Canyon so I took a while to take a look at the path’s route, making observe of the trestle bridges and tunnels.
Myra Canyon Path begins on the yellow gate, marked by a submit saying kilometre 0. The primary a part of the journey wasn’t that fascinating as a result of the path was framed by forest, however it wasn’t lengthy till the view opened up slightly and glimpses of Kelowna and Okanagan Lake could possibly be seen via gaps between the bushes.
Additional forward the path emerged from the forest providing higher views of the surroundings. I might even see some trestle bridges throughout the rocky, forested canyon.
Persevering with my journey alongside the east facet of the canyon, the path handed between two partitions of rock earlier than arriving on the first wood bridge (Trestle 18). After all, I needed to cease and take some photos of the canyon and Kelowna within the distance.
Additional up the Myra Canyon bike path, there have been a collection of trestle bridges alongside the rocky fringe of the canyon. After Trestle 12 is the best level on the Kettle Valley Rail Path at 1274 m.
Subsequent, I got here to the primary of two tunnels on Myra Canyon Path. The 114 m rock-walled tunnel was enjoyable to journey via, regardless that it was a bit darkish. I needed to take my sun shades off however a motorcycle mild wasn’t wanted.
After the tunnel, there was an extended curved bridge that I fairly favored as a result of there was an excellent view of the wood trestles.
After the bridge, the path went in between two partitions of rock earlier than arriving on the second tunnel. This tunnel was shorter, at 84 m lengthy, and a part of it was made out of concrete so it didn’t have the “pure” look that I favored concerning the earlier one.
Past the second tunnel, there was a wood bridge curving across the canyon’s rock wall.
The following focal point on the Myra Canyon bike path was a metal trestle bridge spanning KLO Creek. This bridge changed the unique wood trestle in 1930/31.
After crossing the creek, the path curved and began heading towards the alternative/west facet of the canyon. On the best way there have been nice views of the canyon, forest, and trestle bridges.
My favorite bridge on the Myra Canyon bike journey was Trestle 6 as a result of it had an extended curve linking the south and west sides of the canyon. It was fairly photogenic with the rocky hill within the background.
As I continued my journey alongside the west facet of the canyon there have been extra bridges with a wall of rock on one facet and delightful panorama views on the opposite. I loved wanting throughout on the reverse facet of the canyon the place I had simply ridden.
The final part of the journey was within the forest so there weren’t any notable views, however there have been a few historic websites marked with indicators. The primary was a rock oven utilized by the Kettle Valley Railway development employees for baking and roasting. The oven was exhausting to see from the path, however there was a staircase constructed out of rocks main all the way down to it.
The second historic website was on the finish of the bike path. Right here there are some primary stays of the part home on the previous Ruth Station.
The Myra Canyon Path terminates at Ruth Station and there are some outhouses if you could use the services.
After a brief break, I hopped again on my bike for the return journey to Myra Station. The journey again to my start line was simply as pleasing as a result of I received to see the surroundings from a distinct perspective.
Last Ideas In regards to the Myra Canyon Bike Path
Biking Myra Canyon Path is an excellent outside exercise for households, buddies, and people of all ages. The flat path makes for a simple, stress-free journey and the trestle bridges are a singular, historic contact. The surroundings was attractive too and I couldn’t assist however cease each couple of minutes to take an image of the panorama and bridges!
There are lots of enjoyable things to do in the Okanagan, however I feel that biking the Myra Canyon trestles path is among the space’s greatest outside actions. I’d undoubtedly journey the Myra Canyon bike path once more on a future journey to Kelowna.
Suggestions for Biking Myra Canyon Trestles Path
Location and Getting There: Myra Canyon is positioned 24 km from downtown Kelowna and the drive to Myra Station takes about 40 minutes. You may get to Myra Station from Kelowna by way of McCulloch Street after which the gravelled Myra Forest Service Street which zigzags as much as the canyon.
Staging Areas: The principle start line for the Myra Canyon bike journey is Myra Station on the east facet of the canyon however you may as well begin from Ruth Station on the west facet. Each staging areas have a car parking zone and outhouses.
Myra Canyon Bike Leases: You’ll be able to conveniently lease bikes on-site at Myra Station. There are normal bikes, e-bikes, and child bikes obtainable for half-day leases. It’s beneficial to order your bike on-line at the very least the day earlier than your journey as a result of same-day leases are first-come first-served.
Data was right on the time of publishing, however can change with out discover. Please verify straight with service suppliers.
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