Our second stop while driving to Kelowna was Othello Tunnels in Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park. They were originally railway tunnels in the early 1900s and have become a popular attraction in Hope.
What We Did
Othello Tunnels were part of the Kettle Valley Railway that linked the Kootenay region with the coast. Myra Canyon Trestles we visited in Kelowna a day later were also part of the historical railway.
This is an easy, short walk for everyone. The trail that leads to the tunnel is very flat. It only took us a few minutes to walk from the parking lot to the start of the tunnel. There are 4 tunnels in total and they are not far away from one another.
The scene along the trail and the tunnels were breathtaking. Seeing the tunnels cutting through the giant granite rocks was very fascinating. The rushing water of Coquihalla River runs around these rocks. The bridge over the river between tunnel #2 and #3 offers a great view to the river and the canyon. It must be a great challenge to lay tracks here a hundred years ago!
Conclusion
The park is about two hours away from Vancouver and is a great stop for people driving between Vancouver and the interior. It is a great place to relax, get some fresh air, enjoy breathtaking scenes, and learn some history. I would love to visit this place again at a different time!