Dual Sport Touring Loops around Penticton
PENTICTON – OSPREY – PRINCETON DUAL SPORT LOOP
Distance: 228 km
Approx. Time: 4 – 5 hrs
Follow the track of the famous Kettle Valley Railway through the scenic Osprey Lakes. This route has a long section of well-maintained gravel road. From Penticton, travel north to Summerland and take a left at the traffic lights onto Prairie Valley Road. First round-a-bout, head left, second one head straight ahead toward the KVR Train. Follow PV Road, after the straight stretch will bear right, then left then right again onto Princeton-Summerland Rd. This route follows the valley with some great curves and scenery. There are no services en route so ensure you have adequate range for at least 150 km. The next major stop is Princeton for fuel, food and refreshments. You can either take Hwy 3 and head east toward Keremeos or, immediately at the end of the Princeton-Summerland Rd., take a hard left onto Old Hedley Rd. which follows the north side of the Similkameen River. Take a stop for seasonal fruit in Keremeos, then Hwy 3A back to your start in Penticton or extend your trip on Hwy 3 through Cawston, Osoyoos and back up to Penticton. Note: Cellular service is not available in the backcountry.
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PENTICTON – HEDLEY – APEX LOOP DUAL SPORT ONLY
Distance: 135 km
Approx. Time: 2.5 – 3 hrs
A fun loop for dual-sport bikes only is the Penticton to Hedley and Apex Loop. Use caution as this may be an active road with service and commercial vehicles. The best way experience this loop is to ride to Hedley on Hwy 97 then to 3A. Turn right and take the shortcut past Keremeos (just past Olalla) back onto 3A. Distance to the Hedley – Nickle Plate Rd. turn off is 26 km. This road follows some steep grades with several switchbacks up to the old mine site. Continue past the cross-country ski area and down to Apex Ski Resort. Head back to Penticton along Green Mtn Rd. and reward yourself with a frosty cold beer from one of 7 Penticton craft breweries.
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PENTICTON – OLIVER/FAIRVIEW LOOP DUAL SPORT ONLY
Distance: 130 km
Approx. Time: 1.5 – 2 hrs
A fun and scenic ride through farms and back country. Head south out of Penticton on Hwy 97. Take the White Lake Rd. right turn off just past the Hwy 97/3A junction. Follow this road south to the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory. Stop in and check out the Visitor Centre and learn about this unique station. Just past the observatory, turn left onto Fairview White Lake Rd. to its T end just above Oliver. Stop at the scenic lookout for a great view over the valley and vineyards. Turn right and head up Fairview Rd. over the mountain to Cawston. This is a well maintained dirt road, watch for local traffic on the curves. Take in the amazing view over the Cawston Valley and head down through the orchards and vineyards. Grab a fruit shake at one of many fruit stands in Keremeos, then head back up Hwy 3A to Penticton.
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PRINCETON-TULAMEEN-KVR LOOP (DUAL SPORT ONLY)
Distance: 129 km
Approx. Time: 2.5 hrs on loop
Follow the route of the famous Kettle Valley Railway through the scenic Tulameen Valley. You can make you way to Princeton via a few options. Try the Summerland/ Princeton Osprey Lakes route or Hwy 3, there’s several possibilities. Access the Princeton-Tulameen loop on the north side of the bridge just off the main street in Princeton. This fun, twisty ride goes through the village of Tulameen. You could stop for a quick swim in Otter Lake on a hot day! Fuel is available at the Trading Post General Store. The dirt surface starts a few km north of the village on Coalmont Rd. and follows the KVR north through the valley. You’ll cross the old rail route and head through the gorge to the grasslands. Once you arrive at Hwy 5A, turn right and ride back down to Princeton. From here, your options include a ride back through the Princeton-Summerland Osprey Lakes Rd. or up the Hedley-Nickel Plate road past Apex Ski Resort and back to Penticton
for a well-deserved craft beer and burger!
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PRINCETON-OLIVER-MT. BALDY LOOP (DUAL SPORT ONLY)
Distance: 196 km
Approx. Time: 3.5 – 4 hrs
Take half a day or more to have fun on some great curvy pavement and well maintained twisty dirt road up to Mt. Baldy ski area. Follow Hwy 97 south to Oliver, turn left at the traffic light onto Fairview Rd. Stay right onto McKinney Rd. and follow all the way to Mt. Baldy. You’ll see the option to take a quick ride to the resort area (no services available in the Summer). Continue past the Baldy turn-off onto Baldy Ski Hill Rd. down to Hwy 3 and head to Osoyoos and back to Penticton for a swim or float down The Channel.
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