Hope guide
Othello Tunnels Near Hope: The Trail, The Tunnels And What To Bring
Five railway tunnels cut through solid granite just north of Hope, on an easy 3.5 kilometre flat gravel round trip. Bring a flashlight, and check the BC Parks advisories before you drive out.
Written by Hope Local Desk
The Othello Tunnels are an easy 3.5 kilometre round trip on a flat gravel trail through five railway tunnels cut into solid granite, and they sit just north of Hope off Highway 5 in Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park. You do not need boots with ankle support or any climbing ability to do it, but you do need a flashlight, because some of the tunnels are long and genuinely dark inside.
What You Are Actually Walking Through
The Coquihalla River cut a channel roughly 300 feet deep through solid granite here, and the Kettle Valley Railway drove a straight line of tunnels through it rather than trying to climb around. Five tunnels were built in 1914, and the railway itself opened on July 31, 1916, carrying freight and passengers between Vancouver and Nelson.
The line never had an easy life. Snow and rock slides kept closing it, and in one two-year stretch during the 1930s it operated for only a few weeks in total. A washout just north of the tunnels on November 23, 1959 finished it, because the gap was around 400 feet and could not be filled quickly. The line was abandoned in July 1961, and the tunnels and the surrounding canyon became a provincial recreation area in May 1986. Much of the modern Coquihalla Highway now runs on the old rail bed, which is why the grade you are walking feels so improbably flat for terrain this steep.
The Trail Itself
The route is part of the Trans Canada Trail and the surface is flat gravel throughout, which makes it workable for strollers and for anyone who does not want a climb. The 3.5 kilometre round trip includes the tunnels and the bridges between them, and the viewing points along the gorge are the reason to take your time rather than treat it as a walk to be finished.
Inside the tunnels the gravel can be uneven, because water drips from the roof year round and erodes the surface underneath. That is the one place to watch your footing, and it is also why a light matters. Bring a proper flashlight or a headlamp rather than relying on a phone, since you want both hands free on uneven ground and you do not want to drain the battery you may need later.
The park covers about 135 hectares and offers walking, viewing, fishing and picnicking. The bridges between the tunnels give you the drop into the gorge, and the contrast between the dark tunnel and the bright opening at the far end is the photograph most people come for.
Before You Drive Out
Check the BC Parks page for Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park for current advisories, and read the South Fraser trail conditions report, which carries an entry for this park. Closures and washouts do happen in a river canyon, and the tunnels have been shut for repairs in the past, so confirming the day before is worth the two minutes rather than assuming the trail is open because a guide says so.
The park is reached off Highway 5 north of Hope, so it pairs easily with a stop in town on the way back. Parking fills on summer weekends, and arriving earlier in the day gives you both a space and quieter tunnels.
What To Bring
A flashlight for each person rather than one per group, shoes with a sole that grips wet gravel, and a layer for inside the tunnels, which are noticeably cooler and damper than the trail outside. Water seeps constantly, so a hood or a hat keeps the dripping off your neck. If you are walking with children, hold hands through the dark sections, because the drop to the river is real and the light changes abruptly at each opening.
Dogs should be kept under control on the bridges and near the water. The gorge edges are not fenced everywhere, and the trail is busy enough in summer that a long leash creates problems for other walkers.
Questions Often Asked
How long is the walk? About 3.5 kilometres round trip on flat gravel, including five tunnels and the bridges between them.
Do you need a flashlight? Yes. BC Parks strongly recommends one, because some tunnels are long and dark and the gravel underfoot can be uneven from water erosion.
Is it suitable for children? The flat grade makes it manageable for most families, but hold hands in the dark sections and keep away from the gorge edges.
Where is it? Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, off Highway 5 just north of Hope.
Is it open year round? Check the BC Parks advisories and the South Fraser trail conditions report before you go, since canyon trails can close for repairs or after washouts.
