Inland of southern British Columbia, near the town of Hope, is Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park. The 393-acre (159-hectare) park is a popular picnic and fishing area beside the Coquihalla River, which roars past on its way to the Strait of Georgia, beside Vancouver. This is also where the Canadian Pacific Railway had a line linking the region to the coast. Envision the engineering feat of this venture over 100 years ago as the rail line passed through a series of solid granite mountains in a canyon.
The rail line was eventually abandoned due to rock falls and washouts, but the rail bed left a mesmerizing walk through an enchanting area. Because it is a graded rail bed, the round trip 2.2-mile (3.5-kilometer) Othello Tunnel Trail is easy enough for navigating strollers and wheelchairs. It got its name from the chief engineer who designed the line and was also an admirer of Shakespearean works of literature. Stations along the line were all named after characters from the plays, with Othello station the closest to the four tunnels. Take a flashlight because it’s dark inside the tunnel sections. Cyclists are allowed but requested to walk bicycles.
Witness the river charging through the gorge as you walk over trestles linking the tunnels. These stunning land features have been used in a number of films including Rambo First Blood, Shoot to Kill, Fire with Fire and The Adventures of Yellow Dog.
Continue at the end along the Hope-Nicola Cattle Trail, which soon arrives at the picturesque town of Hope. Alternatively, return to the parking lot at the trailhead where pit toilets are located. The Othello Tunnel Trail is closed during the winter.
Include Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park in your travels. Find the park near Hope, just off the highway. Vancouver is 100 miles (160 kilometers) away on the Trans-Canada Highway.
