Tori driving her wheelchair on the myra canyon trestles

Discover the Myra Canyon Trestles: A Spectacular Wheelchair Accessible Hike in Kelowna, BC

tori.hlacey

British Columbia is hands-down one of my favourite places to visit as a wheelchair user. I love that as a province, they have diligently worked to ensure that people with disabilities have opportunities to explore and fully enjoy the beauty of their landscapes. 

I have visited British Columbia a couple of times now, and each time I am truly amazed at how much I can do as a wheelchair user. From the soaring suspension bridge at the Sea To Sky Gondola, to exploring many of Vancouver’s accessible attractions, I truly feel included and like there is so much more to uncover each time I visit. 

Fun fact: Vancouver and Whistler hosted the Winter Paralympic Games in 2010, so these cities re-built a lot of infrastructure to make the games as accessible as possible for the athletes. 

During my most recent visit to British Columbia, I decided that I wanted to go beyond Vancouver and Whistler and check out Kelowna. Kelowna is a picturesque city nestled in the Okanagan Valley, known for its beautiful lakefront setting and thriving wine industry (I mean, common, what more can you ask for?). I will admit that I spent most of my time there getting a little wine drunk and witnessing some of the most beautiful sunsets of my life, but I also found one of the most jaw-dropping wheelchair accessible hikes of my life — the Myra Canyon Trestles. 

What are the Myra Canyon Trestles? 

Located just a short drive from Kelowna, the Myra Canyon Trestles are a must-visit destination for any nature lover, and they are especially great for those looking for a wheelchair-friendly hike. The Myra Canyon Trestles are a series of trestles (small bridges) and tunnels that were originally built as part of the Kettle Valley Railway in the early 1900s. Today they provide a unique and accessible way to experience the beauty of the Okanagan region.

Wide angle shot of one of the Myra Canyon Trestles in Kelowna British Columbia
Pictured here is one of the trestles, each of which have a wooden plank boardwalk. 
Tori driving her wheelchair through a cave at the Myra Canyon Trestles
Along the trail, you will come across two spectacular caves that have been carved into the side of the canyon.
Tori and her friend walking along the trail at the Myra canyon trestles
The trail itself is gravel and compacted soil. I had no issues rolling on it in my power wheelchair.

The trestles, caves and tunnels are part of a 12-kilometer trail that winds along the side of a steep-walled canyon, offering breathtaking views. The trail is wide and flat making it popular among cyclists, but the gentle gradient also makes it easy for wheelchairs, strollers, and other mobility devices to navigate. 

The trestles themselves are also wheelchair-friendly, with wide viewing platforms and plenty of space to take in the spectacular canyon views. There are also some benches on-route for those that need to stop and take a rest. 

Tori and two other people standing at the edge of the canyon and taking photos.
Stopping for a photo opportunity and taking in the breathtaking beauty of the canyon

I do remember seeing a couple of washrooms along the trail, but none that I came across were accessible, unfortunately.

Want to know before you go

  • The Myra Canyon Trestles are a 24-km drive from downtown Kelowna
  • There are two entrances – the Myra Station Entrance and the June Road Entrance. I would suggest the Myra Station Entrance because it has the biggest parking lot and because there are six trestle bridges within the first 2 kilometers (aka you will see more if you don’t think you’re up for the full 12-kilometer trek). 
  • The entrance to get in is very windy and extremely bumpy. Literally … so. many. potholes. Please keep this in mind if you have limited trunk/head control like I do, as you may need help from another passenger to keep you from bouncing around too much. 
  • There is no designated accessible parking. Additionally, the parking lot is loose gravel and might be bumpy and tricky to navigate if you’re a wheelchair user. However, once you get up to the actual trail, the terrain smooths out and you will be good to go! 
  • While the trail is wide and flat, it is important to remember that you are traversing on the side of a canyon and there are no side rails or fencing to prevent falling. Please make safety your top priority by not going too close to the edge, and avoiding this hike during icy weather.

Overall, the Myra Canyon Trestles are a must-visit destination for any nature lover. They are especially great for those looking for a wheelchair-friendly hike in Kelowna, British Columbia.

Do you know of any other wheelchair-accessible hikes in the area that I should check out? Let me know in the comments!

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