Approximately 19.6 KM (12.2 miles) from Penticton, British Columbia. Biking time round trip- 3 to 3.5 hrs allowing for stops. Round trip roughly 17 KM (10.6 miles), elevation gain-26M (86 feet). Best time is usually May to October.
Directions: From Penticton drive south to Okanagan Falls. Just before the bridge into Okanagan Falls turn right onto Green Lake Road. Continue roughly 0.85 KM (0.53 miles) on Green Lake Road. Watch for a road on the left to a small parking area by a footbridge over the Okanagan River. Turn left down this road and park. This is the first parking area. There is another parking area about 2 KM (1.25 miles) further south. From here one can bike down the service road on the west side of the river channel to the gate leading into the marsh north of Vaseux Lake. One can choose to go through the marsh and get back on the KVR from the marsh or take a narrow trail a bit to the west of the gate. This trail which may be part of the KVR runs along the west side of the marsh. The marsh is a bird sanctuary and the ride through here is quite scenic. Note: The South Okanagan does have rattle snakes so it is wise to stay well clear if one comes across a snake irrespective of its size. It is best to stay on the trails. If the marsh route is taken about 4.2 KM (2.6 miles) south from the first parking area a narrow path intersects the service road on the right. Heading west on this narrow path will lead out of the marsh and onto the Kettle Valley Railroad rail bed. There is a gate at the end of the path and an opening at the side one can lift a bike through. The path may be wet in some spots depending on the time of year. Once on the KVR there is a gate a short distance to the south. Note: In 2011 this gate was closed and there is now a "No Access" sign posted. When access was allowed past this gate it is a fairly level ride on the KVR rail bed along the west side of Vaseux lake. At the south end of the lake the bridge is gone, only a few timbers are left on the far side. There is an old road that continues along the west side of the river and seems to head south towards McIntyre Bluff. The local First Nation band history tells of a battle that was fought on top of McIntyre Bluff centuries ago. The photos below show the route. The 2011 photos show the route bypassing the marsh from the second parking lot. The 2010 photos show the route from the first parking lot through the marsh.
GPS Data: Right click on link to bring up menu to download (save) file.
Kettle Valley Railway Okanagan Falls to Vaseux Lake 2011/08 |
Kettle Valley Railway Okanagan Falls to Vaseux Lake 2010/10 |