Gravel riding from Kelowna and West Kelowna

The best-known ride in the valley and the easiest to enjoy: a flat gravel grade across 18 wooden trestles and through two tunnels, high above Kelowna with lake views. This stretch of the Kettle Valley Railway is a National Historic Site.

Go from Ruth Station to Myra Station or the reverse, and plan about half a day with photo stops. It suits families and newer riders as well as strong ones.

Getting there

From Kelowna, drive up June Springs Road onto Little White Forest Service Road. It is about 4 km of gravel to the main Ruth Station lot, roughly 45 minutes from downtown. The Little White road is rougher than the rail grade itself.

Reaches: Little White Mountain, Penticton and Apex

Past the trestles, the Kettle Valley Rail Trail keeps going south, mostly on a steady grade with lake views, through the Adra tunnels and into Naramata and Penticton. It is a classic Okanagan bikepacking trip and a ride people plan a season around.

Wineries along the Naramata and Penticton end make it a favourite for slower trips. A shuttle or a planned stop is the safer way to enjoy that.

Getting there

Start at Myra Canyon or Ruth Station (see above). Chute Lake and Naramata are the usual overnight options, and a shuttle can bring you back from Penticton.

Reaches: Penticton and Apex, Summerland

A well-maintained gravel road that climbs out of Kelowna through pine, fir and aspen, with changing views of the city and valley behind you. Around km 11 you pass the Browne Lake Recreation Site, and near km 19 McCulloch Lake (also called Hydraulic Lake) appears on the right.

It is wide enough for two vehicles, but it is an active forest road. Cell service is minimal, so go with offline maps and tell someone your plan.

Getting there

Starts in Kelowna and ends at Highway 33. The Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club sits just before the turnoff to McCulloch Lake.

Reaches: McCulloch Lake, Big White

A popular road from the West Kelowna side of the lake into the hills behind Okanagan Lake. It is one of the busier forest roads in the area, with log trucks and recreational traffic sharing it.

A washout closed it in March 2025 and it was repaired afterwards. Roads like this can change quickly, so check DriveBC before you go.

Getting there

Take Westside Road north from West Kelowna and watch for the Bear Creek Main turnoff.

Reaches: The hills behind West Kelowna

The pavement ends soon after the Trepanier Road exit off the Okanagan Connector, and the gravel leads into Trepanier Park, where BC Parks permits cycling and mountain biking. The Lacoma Lake trailhead is reached along Trepanier Road, and Cameron Lake sits right off Bear Forest Service Road and is accessible by two-wheel drive.

It is a good option when you want quiet gravel that is still close to West Kelowna.

Getting there

Take the Trepanier Road exit about 6 km from the intersection of Highway 97C and Highway 97. Peachland riders can reach it from Trepanier Bench Road.

Reaches: The hills behind West Kelowna, Summerland

An easy way to head north from Kelowna. The low-grade corridor links Kelowna, Lake Country and Vernon, and works for relaxed rides, out-and-back trips or a one-way ride with a pickup.

Getting there

Start from Kelowna or any of the access points along the corridor.

Reaches: Vernon