Myra Canyon Bike and Wine Tour Kelowna — Historic Trestles & Okanagan Wine Tasting in One Day
The Myra Canyon Bike & Wine Tasting Full Day Tour combines two of the most spectacular experiences in the Kelowna area — cycling across the historic Kettle Valley Railway trestle bridges and wine tasting at Okanagan Valley estates — in a single eight-hour guided adventure. This review covers the canyon cycling section, the winery visits, the fitness requirements, and everything to expect from one of Kelowna's most unique full-day tours. Compare all formats in our Kelowna bicycle wine tours guide.
About This Activity
Up to 24h in advance — full refund
Full-day adventure — Myra Canyon cycling and Okanagan wine tasting
Includes guide, bike, canyon access, wine tastings, and lunch
Cycle across the rebuilt Kettle Valley Railway trestles above Kelowna
Quality trail bike suited to the Myra Canyon gravel path
Afternoon visits to Okanagan Valley estate wineries
Check Live Availability & Prices
Real-time dates and prices for the Myra Canyon Bike & Wine Full Day Tour — free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Why Myra Canyon Is One of the Most Spectacular Cycling Experiences in Canada
The Kettle Valley Railway — A Canadian Engineering Landmark
Myra Canyon is a dramatic 7-kilometre gorge carved into the Okanagan Highland mountains east of Kelowna. In the early twentieth century, engineers of the Kettle Valley Railway faced the challenge of crossing this canyon with a working railway line — the solution was a series of 18 wooden trestle bridges and 2 tunnel sections, built between 1912 and 1914, that carried trains across the canyon walls at an elevation of over 1,000 metres. The railway was abandoned in 1973, and the trestle route has since been converted into a recreational trail.
The wooden trestle bridges were destroyed in the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park wildfire and rebuilt by volunteers between 2008 and 2011. Cycling across them today means riding through a century of BC history on structures that frame views of the Okanagan Valley far below.
- 18 rebuilt wooden trestle bridges spanning Myra Canyon's dramatic gorge
- 2 tunnel sections through the canyon walls — bring a light for the tunnels
- Panoramic Okanagan Valley views from 1,000+ metres elevation
- A UNESCO World Heritage tentative list nomination for cultural landscape significance
Canyon in the Morning, Wineries in the Afternoon
The tour's structure is deliberately sequenced: Myra Canyon cycling in the cooler morning hours when the canyon trail is at its most atmospheric, and Okanagan Valley winery visits in the afternoon when the heat has peaked and a shaded tasting room is the most appealing place to be. This pacing makes the full-day tour feel balanced rather than exhausting — physical exertion followed by leisurely wine tasting.
What You'll See and Experience
The Myra Canyon Cycling Section
The trestle trail runs 12 kilometres in each direction — the tour typically covers the full trail to the far end and back, or a curated selection of the most impressive trestle crossings depending on group pace and the day's weather. The trail surface is compacted gravel, suitable for mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, and e-bikes. Each trestle crossing offers a different perspective of the canyon — some span narrow gullies just metres above the canyon floor, others bridge the main gorge with a 50-metre drop to the creek below.
The tunnel sections are short and well-lit but bring a light. The guide provides historical context at each major trestle and both tunnels.
- 12-kilometre gravel trail across 18 trestle bridges and through 2 tunnels
- Varying trestle heights — some crossings have dramatic exposure to the canyon below
- Canyon pine and fir forest with excellent bird life and occasional deer
- Clear air at altitude — views extend across the Okanagan Valley on clear days
The Okanagan Wine Tasting Section
After descending from the canyon, the tour continues to Okanagan Valley estate wineries for afternoon wine tastings. The canyon section and the winery section cover completely different terrain and character — from dramatic mountain cycling to the warm, golden vineyard landscape of the Kelowna wine trail. Expect tastings at one or two boutique estate wineries, with wine and food pairings that make the most of the afternoon light and the appetite built from a morning of canyon cycling.
What's Included and What to Bring
What's Included
- Expert guide for the full 8-hour day
- Quality trail bike suitable for the Myra Canyon gravel path
- Helmet
- Canyon trail access
- Wine tastings at Okanagan Valley estate wineries
- Lunch (typically a packed trailside lunch or estate lunch at the winery section)
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Not Included
- Transport from downtown Kelowna to the Myra Canyon trailhead (confirm with operator — some tours include transport)
- Additional wine purchases at wineries
- Guide gratuity (optional)
What to Bring
- Layered clothing — mornings in the canyon are cooler than the valley floor
- Light for the tunnel sections (phone torch is sufficient)
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Water — 1.5 to 2 litres recommended for the canyon section
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes or light hiking boots
- Small daypack
- Camera — the trestle views are among the most photographed in BC
Not Allowed
- Dogs or pets on the canyon trail
- Alcohol before or during the cycling sections
- Children under 12 — moderate fitness level required
- Any open-toe footwear
Full Day Itinerary — Myra Canyon & Okanagan Wineries
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08:00
Meet and travel to Myra Canyon trailhead
Meet your guide at the agreed meeting point. Travel to the Myra Canyon trailhead east of Kelowna (confirm transport arrangements with the operator after booking). The trailhead sits at the canyon rim with an orientation shelter and maps.
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09:00
Canyon cycling begins — first trestle bridges
Set off along the Kettle Valley Railway trail. Your guide explains the railway's history as you approach the first trestle bridge crossing. The trail is wide and well-maintained; the guide sets a comfortable pace with frequent stops at key viewpoints and trestle crossings.
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10:30
Mid-canyon rest stop and tunnel section
Rest stop at a canyon viewpoint with panoramic Okanagan Valley views. Continue through the two tunnel sections — short, cool passages through the canyon wall. The guide explains the engineering history of these remarkable structures.
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11:30
Far end of the trail and return
Reach the far end of the trestle trail before turning back. The return journey covers the same bridges from the opposite direction — the perspective is completely different, and morning light on the canyon walls looks spectacular from the east-facing direction.
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12:30
Trailside lunch
Lunch break on the canyon trail or at the trailhead, depending on timing. A packed lunch allows you to eat with canyon views before descending to the valley for the winery section of the day.
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13:30
Travel to Okanagan Valley wineries
Descend from the canyon to the Okanagan Valley floor. Travel to the afternoon winery stops — the temperature contrast between the canyon at altitude and the valley in afternoon sun is striking.
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14:00
Winery visits and wine tastings
Afternoon wine tastings at one or two Okanagan Valley estate wineries. The guide provides context on the Okanagan wine region, the grape varieties, and how the altitude and desert climate of the valley produces such distinctive wines.
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16:00
Return to Kelowna
Return to the Kelowna meeting point. Your guide will make dinner recommendations and suggest the best spots to taste the varietals you most enjoyed during the afternoon winery visits.
Important Things to Know Before You Book
Fitness Level — How Hard Is the Myra Canyon Trail?
The Myra Canyon trail is rated moderate. The surface is compacted gravel — suitable for standard bikes, e-bikes, and anyone who is comfortable cycling on an unpaved trail. The trail is relatively flat along the canyon rim once you reach the start, but getting to the trailhead from the valley floor involves some elevation gain.
The 12-kilometre trestle trail section can be covered comfortably by any adult with reasonable fitness. The tour is not suitable for young children or anyone with significant mobility limitations. The canyon crossing involves sections with open-sided trestle bridges at height — if you have a serious fear of heights, discuss this with the operator before booking.
Best Time of Year for the Myra Canyon Tour
The Myra Canyon trail is best from June through September. July and August offer the longest days, warmest temperatures, and driest trail conditions. The canyon section is cooler than the valley floor at altitude — a light layer is comfortable even on the hottest summer days.
Avoid booking after heavy rain, which can make the gravel sections slippery. The trail closes in winter due to snow and ice.
Location: Myra Canyon, Kelowna, BC
Who This Tour Is For
Perfect For
- Active travelers who want both a physical adventure and wine tasting in the same day
- History enthusiasts interested in the Kettle Valley Railway and BC's railway heritage
- Photographers — the trestle bridges and canyon views are world-class subjects
- Kelowna visitors who want more than a standard vineyard tour
- Those with at least a moderate fitness level who enjoy cycling on gravel trails
Not Suitable For
- Travelers with a significant fear of heights — some trestle bridges have open sides above the canyon
- Non-cyclists or those unable to ride a standard trail bike for several hours
- Children under 12 — minimum age and fitness requirement
- Those primarily interested in wine tasting with minimal physical activity (see the van wine tour or self-guided e-bike tour instead)
Myra Canyon Bike and Wine Tour — FAQ
How difficult is the Myra Canyon cycling trail?
The Myra Canyon trestle trail is rated as moderate. The surface is well-maintained compacted gravel with no technical sections. The trail is relatively flat along the canyon rim once you reach the start. The main challenge is the elevation of the trailhead (approximately 1,100 metres above sea level) — the air is thinner than in Kelowna's valley floor and some guests feel slightly breathless on the climbs. Adults of reasonable fitness who cycle occasionally will find the canyon section comfortable. The guide sets a relaxed pace with frequent stops.
Is this tour suitable if I'm afraid of heights?
The trestle bridges cross Myra Canyon at significant height — the main trestle spans are several metres above the canyon floor, and the widest crossings feel exposed. If you have a mild discomfort with heights but manage reasonably well in high places, most guests find the crossings exhilarating rather than distressing. If you have a serious phobia of heights or acrophobia, this tour is not recommended. Contact the operator to discuss your situation before booking.
What type of bike is provided for the Myra Canyon section?
The operator provides quality trail bikes suited to the Myra Canyon gravel path. E-bikes may be available for the canyon section — confirm with the operator at booking. The gravel trail is suitable for mountain bikes and hybrid bikes with wider tyres. Road bikes with narrow tyres are not appropriate for the Myra Canyon trail surface.
How much time is spent cycling vs wine tasting?
In an 8-hour day, approximately 3 to 4 hours are spent cycling (including breaks at viewpoints) and 2 to 3 hours at the winery section, with the remainder covering transport and lunch. The balance feels well-judged by most guests — the canyon section is stimulating and the winery section provides a perfect recovery and reward.
Can I do this tour if I haven't cycled recently?
Yes, if you are reasonably fit and comfortable on a bike. The canyon trail does not require advanced cycling skills — it is a wide, well-maintained gravel path with no technical features. The guide sets a comfortable pace and the tour is not timed strictly. However, if you haven't cycled in several years or have any joint or cardiovascular concerns, the 8-hour day including canyon cycling may be demanding. The self-guided e-bike wine tour on flat vineyard roads is a better choice for those seeking a lighter physical commitment.
What Guests Say About the Myra Canyon Bike and Wine Tour
The combination of the trestle bridges and the winery visits is just perfect. I couldn't believe we were cycling across 100-year-old wooden bridges with that view of the Okanagan Valley stretching out below us. And then afternoon wine tasting to recover. Absolutely brilliant day.
The most memorable day of our entire BC road trip. The canyon at altitude in the morning, the wine valley in the afternoon — it felt like two completely different worlds in one day. Our guide's knowledge of both the railway history and the Okanagan wine region was exceptional.
I was slightly nervous about the trestle bridges but the guide was so reassuring. By the third crossing I was walking to the middle to take photos. The winery section afterwards felt like the perfect reward for the morning's adventure — great wine, beautiful views, and a real sense of achievement.