K.V.R. East from Penticton

Kettle Valley Railway Trail East

The Kettle Valley Railway portion of the Trans-Canada Trail from Main Street in Penticton to where it crosses the Naramata Road makes a nice easy hike or bike ride. The 1.5 kilometre section from Main Street just north of Nelson Avenue to Vancouver hill is paved and easily accessible at many points as streets and avenues intercept the trail. The grade is gentle but steady and relatively open as it passes the schoolyards and Penticton Creek and then climbs along the banks to the benches. There are a few benches where one can sit and enjoy the view of the city and lake. This section is restricted to walking and biking, but I would hope wheelchairs are allowed.

Later in summer there is also a wild walnut tree or two that you might be lucky enough to sample. My experience with wild walnuts has been that they are superb, very meaty and tasty.

Heading north across Vancouver Hill a housing development has taken over a portion of the old railway bed, so you travel to the end of Vancouver Place where you can once more catch the old railway bed. Here the path becomes hard-pack gravel and is still restricted from motorized vehicle use. Again, I’m hoping exceptions will be made for electric and hand powered wheelchairs.
The next couple of kilometres travel near the edge of the bench with lovely lake views, coming at last to the Lakeview Cemetery. Here it becomes a little more rolling for about a kilometre as it has been slightly moved to accommodate some orchards and vineyards. This section takes you past Carder Road and onto a bridge at Randolph Creek Gully.

This bridge is a fitting monument to the donors and volunteers who made it possible. It is this spirit that really adds to the Okanagan experience. Thank you all.From the Randolph Bridge to the Naramata Road is around 1.3 kilometres, crossing Lochore and Danvenport Roads. This section run through the heart of orchards.

Across the Naramata Road lies a section eagerly hiked in late March and April, by people aching for the taste of wild asparagus. Over the next 1.4 kilometres it passes above the Hillside Cellars Winery past Riddle Road and on to Sutherland Road. On my last outing I did not see any signs of the wild cherry tree near Riddle Road. There are lots of marmots to be seen sunning themselves and always evidence of a good deer population.

Between Sutherland and Arawana Roads this 4.6 kilometre section has moved away from the agricultural area and is a little wilder. Still, I’ve found a few wild apricots along here, but never traveled when they were right for picking. Once past the gravel pit the trail becomes more multi-use with vehicular traffic permitted as well. There is lots of room at Arawana Road for vehicle parking.

The next two kilometres to Smethurst Road features a little washout at the creek that might give a little trouble to an inexperience biker, but one can always walk the bike through the gulley. Smethurst Road has ample parking room for one to park to hike either north or south.

This whole section, though not greatly built up, is not too far from may small wineries and some great eateries in Naramata. Many a time we hiked trails in this area and refreshed ourselves at the Camp Kreek Station Pub. Other times we’ve managed to fit in a wine tasting session at one of the local wineries. One in particular, the Elephant Island Winery, is a bit unusual in that it produces fruit wines. Wouldn’t mind a bottle of that wine right now!

Happy hiking.