Othello Tunnels

During a hot long weekend in July 2021, we embarked on a road trip to Revelstoke, stopping at the Othello Tunnels along the way. The Tunnels have significant historic and heritage value – built in the early 1900s, it was originally part of the Canadian Pacific Railway. In addition, the Tunnels provided the opportunity to observe and study the original metamorphic bedrock geology of the Coquihalla Canyon. And while BC is world-renowned for its stunning lakes, mountains and forests, locations such as these have a beauty of its own and contribute to our province’s rich history.

The trail is 3.5km in length, round-trip. There are spectacular viewing opportunities available along this out-and-back trail, as the path takes you through the tunnels and along bridges. The gushing water along the smooth canyon walls is truly magnificent to see. Luckily, we had our flashlights on hand, so we could marvel at the immense magnitude of the tunnels and granite rock formations. It was fun spotting the stalactites on the tunnel ceiling, reminding me of childhood trips to Cango Caves in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

The family-friendly trail is also popular amongst mountain bikers, as it is accessible via the Kettle Valley Railway trail. We visited on Canada Day, the day that provincial travel restrictions lifted, so you can imagine how busy it was! After stretching our legs and consuming our packed lunch and snacks, we returned to the car for the next leg of the journey.