Hike the Kettle Valley Trail through the Othello Tunnels

This 5.5km loop family-friendly hike is highly accessible and an easy jaunt into the beautiful Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park. Just two hours from Vancouver, the loop hike will take you up and down through some lush forest towards the beautiful old railway tunnels which were built in the early 1900s. Park in the lot and begin at the western trail entrance for the loop. Follow the signs towards Hope FDR Lookout, you should see a lookout where you can catch a glimpse of the major Highway nearby about halfway down the trail. The tunnels are at the final 1.5km of the loop, and take you over the beautiful rushing Coquihalla River. At the end (back near the parking lot) there is a nice spot where you can stop for a picnic lunch.

If you stop by in the low season, during autumn (particularly on weekdays), you are unlikely to find many others on the path. However, be sure to check the park website to assure the tunnels are open! Give yourself about 2 hours to explore the area.

Don't have time to do the full trail? No worries, there is also the option of walking to the tunnels using the eastern trail. This will take you directly to see the tunnels which are just 800 metres down the trail.

Directions:
The easiest route to drive to the Othello Tunnels is to take Exit #183 Othello Road from the Coquihalla Highway. The turnoff is located about 6km east of the junction to the Crowsnest Highway (Highway #3) along Coquihalla Highway (Highway #5).

Once you have turned off the highway, the road follows underneath the highway and continues along Othello Road westbound, back towards Hope. Follow this road for about 3km and watch for signs to Coquihalla Provincial Park that point to the left onto Tunnel Road. Drive into the park and park in the designated parking lot.