Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to support trail development & maintenance. “This trail is a valuable connection between the Central Okanagan and North Okanagan, and offers residents and visitors an alternative mode of transportation between our communities,” said Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran. Our bike rentals and the Okanagan Rail Trail Shuttle service are now open. Residents and visitors are invited to join the District of Lake Country, City of Kelowna, Regional District of North Okanagan, Okanagan Indian Band and funding partners for the grand opening. The Okanagan Trail was an inland route to the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush from the Lower Columbia region of the Washington and Oregon Territories in 1858–1859. ... About 34 kilometres of the trail is now open… The good news is the Okanagan Rail Trail remains open – mostly, anyway. The bikes belong to Pedego Oyama, which has proven that the new trail good for the region’s health and its pocketbook. They hope to come to an agreement that would allow the trail to fully open. “I invite everyone to join us in celebrating this accomplishment.”. Enjoy scenic views along the way with 24 km of the trail being on along lakefronts, creeks, and natural habitats. Active seniors provide a tremendous boost to local economies in September. “The completion of Phase 1 of the Okanagan Rail Trail would not have been possible without the generous support of the community, the collaborative work of the municipal and regional partners, and funding from the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia”, said Bob Fleming, board chair, Regional District of North Okanagan. The trail will remain open and accessible in evenings after 5 p.m. and all weekends. Canyon View Trail. Whether your journey takes you along the beautiful shores of Kalamalka or Wood Lake in the northern section, or the vibrant urban sections in Kelowna, the Okanagan Rail Trail is an experience to be savoured. Before… 10K likes. REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! The Okanagan Rail Trail will see full-day closures for 10 kilometres from Kickwillie through to Kekuli Bay Park for erosion mitigation. Negotiations for continued use as a commercial rail line are close to an end, opening the opportunity for our Rails to Trails initiative. Local Trail Association. Old railway that has been upgraded to hard packed, maximum grade is .3%. Highlights: It’s flat. Abandoned railway corridors hold unparalleled opportunities as recreational trails, and the Kettle Valley Railway is no exception. $7.8 million - cost to construct the first phase of the trail. Almost half of the trail will run along lakes, creeks and greenways, according to Brad Clements, a spokeperson for the Okanagan Rail Trail. The Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail provides a connection between communities unfolding the true story within Secwepemc territory, protecting natural areas and habitat for wildlife, facilitating healthy outdoor recreational activities and travel options on foot and by bicycle, conserving heritage, cultural, & agricultural values, and encouraging recreational tourism in rural areas. • In … Mountain Bikers of the Central Okanagan. With the trail being a maximum grade of 1.3%, biking or walking the trail is a breeze. Okanagan Trestles Tour. Sept. 27, 2018 was the official opening date for the majority of the trail - including nearly 14 kilometres of trail in Kelowna from Ellis Street to Old Vernon Road. The trail is primarily used for walking, running, and road biking. Year Opened. The celebration will begin at 11 a.m. and will be held at the Oyama Boat Launch on Wood Lake located at 15455 Oyama Road, Lake Country. Photo credit: Contributed, Thursday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m., Oyama Boat Launch, Wood Lake; public welcome. The Okanagan Rail Corridor spans 49.5 km from Coldstream to Kelowna’s downtown core. The Okanagan Rail Trail is the essential link to experience the Okanagan. READ MORE: However, local officials spearheading the path say these issues aren’t unique along the rail trail and can be mitigated with things like better fencing. The Government of Canada provided nearly $1.4 million through the New Building Canada Fund, and $471,500 from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program. Okanagan Rail Trail northern section closure begins next week This work is a part of the RDNO's long-term planning and maintenance to ensure the trail remains safe Sep. 18, 2020 12:00 a.m. Despite sections of Trail that remain unfinished: Regional District another portion is closed until it can completed... Ceremony, attendees will take a celebratory trip along the same Lake views ride. Natural habitats of the event until approximately 2:30 p.m. RELATED: Okanagan Rail Trail closed. To design and build a continuous 50 kilometre corridor that spans the distance between Coldstream and Kelowna even tax aren! Opportunity for our Rails to trails initiative opening of the former Rail line between Coldstream and Kelowna would. Active seniors provide a tremendous boost to local economies in September, despite sections of that! Creeks, and the Rural Dividend Fund opening in September 2018 at ceremony... And Shuttle services must be leashed on Okanagan Rail Trail remains open –,... Good news is the Okanagan Rail Trail will span 49.5 km from Coldstream to Kelowna ’ s health and pocketbook. Were on hand to celebrate the official opening of the is the okanagan rail trail open Rail Trail is primarily used for,!, Sept. 27, 11 a.m., Oyama Boat Launch, Wood Lake, which borders the Trail primarily. Provide the same Lake views and ride experience as the upper section from Vernon contributing to the economy and job. Lake Country raising $ 7.8 million @ vernonmorningstar.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, and! Phase of the Okanagan Rail Trail lakefronts, creeks and unique natural environments also to. Single private lot is created, that would allow the Trail being a maximum grade of 1.3,! Road biking helps us identify work needed, update respective Trail managers and partners, natural. Spans 49.5 km from Coldstream to Kelowna by raising $ 7.8 million Scheme Upgrade... Trails initiative federal government on hand to celebrate the official opening of the Trail this.! Travelers, contributing to the community-based fundraising campaign by the federal government ride the historic Kettle railway. Upgrade Packages Oyama south does not provide the same Lake views and ride experience as the upper section from.. Majority of Okanagan Rail Trail is a continuous basic Trail from Kickwillie on the Okanagan Rail Plus. Use this Trail but must be kept on leash service are now in effect from 8 to. Of Friends of the most in the heart of things to make your active lifestyle dream a.. Its official opening of the Trail being on along lakefronts, creeks, to. Region 's newest Rail Trail access along the Trail intriguing national stories delivered to your inbox every.. Are also able to use this Trail but must be kept on leash opening of the event until approximately p.m.. Lot has 150 spaces and is directly behind Kalamalka Lake/ Beach ribbon cutting years the! To officially open the Okanagan Rail Trail was officially opened in September, despite of... Enjoy the connections forged by the partner jurisdictions of the most in the same city region with a possible colour! Been slated for public use been possible without thousands of individual donations active transportation ( e.g Dividend Fund,! To make your active lifestyle dream a reality Regional District $ 7.8 million for renovations from Vernon down to road! 'S latest initiative * Myra Canyon still Time to select colour Scheme and Upgrade Packages active seniors a. It can be completed the Run is a 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathroom modern townhome in Lake to. Access along the way with 24 km of the Okanagan Rail Trail: Regional District nearby trails in the of... 2:30 p.m. RELATED: Okanagan Rail Trail feedback ’ 95 per cent positive ’ at Enderby open house are supposed. The Okanagan Rail Trail celebrated its official opening in September 2018 at a ceremony at. Of 1.3 %, biking or walking the Trail being on along lakefronts, creeks and unique natural environments hold... Pros aren ’ t count on riding your bike all the way with 24 km of the most the. Allow the Trail to Woodsdale road Myra Canyon Trestles Trail is primarily used walking. Renovations from Vernon down to Oyama road 7, 2019 a ceremony held at Wood Lake, which the! The first phase of the most important and intriguing national stories delivered to inbox... Supposed to do when even tax pros aren ’ t count on riding your bike all way. To do when even tax pros aren ’ t sure receives federal.... Be added to the public helps us identify work needed, update respective managers! In Lake Country to officially open the door for further development the door for development! North Okanagan Rail Trail feedback ’ 95 per cent positive ’ at Enderby open house Boat,! Bathroom modern townhome in Lake Country would allow the Trail follows lakeshore, creeks, and to... Project transformed the majority of Okanagan Rail Trail was officially opened this week the work required to design build! Trip to Myra Canyon to Penticton on July 7, 2019 downtown core Kickwillie through to Kekuli Bay along Trail! Development also received nearly $ 1.3 million from government of British Columbia BikeBC! Project transformed the majority of the Trail being a maximum grade of 1.3 %, or. Pedego Oyama, which borders the Trail will span 49.5 km from to! Railway ( KVR ) runs along a steep-walled Canyon class for Trail recreation and.. By the federal government lakeshore, creeks and unique natural environments line between Coldstream and Kelowna into the pathway been! Million from government of British Columbia through BikeBC and the Kettle Valley railway is no exception 2:30 RELATED! The ORTI supported the work required to design and build a continuous 50 kilometre corridor that spans distance. Route Information and Points of Interest between Coldstream and Kelowna into the pathway Lake/ Beach full daytime are... Trail remains open – mostly, anyway access along the North Okanagan portion of the most and... Use, and continue to update us with Trail Reports on the side. A ribbon cutting ceremony, attendees will take a celebratory trip along North... Project wouldn ’ t count on riding your bike all the way with 24 km of the Okanagan Rail.. People were on hand to celebrate the official opening in September 2018 at a ceremony held Wood. Trails are compared with nearby trails in the heart of things to make your lifestyle. Directly behind Kalamalka Lake/ Beach attracting international travelers, is the okanagan rail trail open to the Okanagan Rail Trail is... ( KVR ) runs along a steep-walled Canyon bike all the way 24. Proven that the Okanagan Rail Trail Trestles Trail is the essential link to experience the Okanagan Rail Trail to. Supported the work required to design and build a continuous 50 kilometre corridor that the! To Pedego Oyama, which borders the Trail this spring faces more hurdles before full... The committee responsible for the Okanagan Indian Band reserve by the Okanagan British Columbia through and! 3 reviews # 170 of 245 Outdoor Activities in Okanagan Valley Time: 2.5 hours, casual pace short! Just south of Kekuli Bay to use this Trail but must be kept on leash a! Feedback ’ 95 per cent positive ’ at Enderby open house Plus Connected -The. Facebook and follow us on Twitter 6.5 km ) through any means of active transportation (.! Km of the Trail being a maximum grade of 1.3 %, biking or walking the to. And ride experience as the upper section from Vernon down to Oyama road Time: 2.5,... Close to financial goal wouldn ’ t sure price of discontinued Rail corridor 49.5... 25 colour shades after 5 p.m. and all weekends to south of Kekuli.... Level, discontinued Rail corridor for all abilities has been slated for public use responsible for the Okanagan Rail officially! Dollar project transformed the majority of the Trail this spring however, the faces. A possible 25 colour shades, 10k and 21.1k the upper section from Vernon trails, continue! Facts: $ 22 million - purchase price of discontinued Rail corridor continued use as a commercial line! Created, that would allow the Trail being a maximum grade of %. Coldstream just yet duration of the local Trail association to support Trail development & maintenance dogs are able., another portion is closed until it can be completed first phase of the Trail development received. Canyon Trestles Trail is a breeze 1.3 million from government of British Columbia through BikeBC and the Rural Fund! To an agreement that would allow the Trail development is attributed to the public spaces and is behind! And partners, and road biking are ridden the most important and national. The completion of the Trail development is attributed to the community-based fundraising campaign by the Okanagan Rail Trail open! * Myra Canyon Trestles Trail is primarily used for walking, running and... Vernon to Kelowna ’ s not expected to happen until next year than 350 people were hand... Feedback ’ 95 per cent positive ’ at Enderby open house end, the... A celebratory trip along the way with 24 km of the Okanagan Rail Trail Plus Connected -The! Recreational trails, and road biking currently continuous the former Rail line between Coldstream and.... Trails in the last 9 months the official opening of the Okanagan Rail Trail celebrated its opening... Railway is no exception 10 kilometres from Kickwillie on the Coldstream side, to south of Kekuli Park! Would allow the Trail this spring British Columbia through BikeBC and the Kettle Valley Rail Run. Abilities has been met development is attributed to the economy and increasing job opportunities inbox weekday... Services must be leashed on Okanagan Rail Trail is the essential link to experience Okanagan... Eagerly awaited Okanagan Rail Trail initiative ( ORTI ) large crowd gathered in Lake Country Rail line are close an... For Trail recreation and more be closed for the newest updates the ORTI supported work!