Othello Tunnels (Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park)

Five Tunnels On The Old Kettle Valley Railway Through A Granite Gorge Of The Coquihalla River, Completed In 1914 And Closed In 1961. Part Of Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, Bright And Easy To Walk. First Blood, A 1982 Film, Used The Tunnels. Open Seasonally; Check For Closures After Washouts Or Snow. · Hope, British Columbia

The Othello Tunnels are five railway tunnels in Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, near Hope in the Fraser Valley. They were built for the Kettle Valley Railway, completed in 1914 and closed in 1961, and now form part of a flat gravel walk through a granite gorge above the Coquihalla River. It is a short, easy outing that suits families, casual walkers and anyone who wants a striking bit of railway history without a long hike. The tunnels are dark in places, so bring a torch or headlamp. The film First Blood, from 1982, used the tunnels, which is part of their fame. The route is open seasonally, usually from spring to autumn, and can close after rockfall, washouts or snow, so check before you drive. Allow about an hour. Rules for bikes vary, so confirm. Expect damp, dark sections, a cool gorge and a short drive from Hope town with no food at the trailhead, so bring water and a warm layer, and check closures.

Five railway tunnels and a canyon trail near Hope in the Fraser Valley, reached from Kawkawa Lake Road by a flat gravel walk through the old Kettle Valley Railway line, Hope, British Columbia, Canada

The tunnels are open on a seasonal basis, roughly from spring to autumn, and are usually closed in winter because of snow, ice and rockfall risk. BC Parks posts the current status, and dates can change from year to year, so check the park page or the local visitor information before driving to Hope. Access is by day only and the gates and parking area may close at set times. Closures can happen after storms, washouts or rockfall, even in the open season. The nearby town of Hope has food, fuel and lodging all year, but the trail itself is a day-use outing with no on-site services other than basic washrooms and signs.

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