Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park

Coquihala Canyon Provincial Park is a nature reserve in British Columbia where a deep granite canyon is carved by the Coquihala River flowing through historic railway tunnels and bridges. These structures were carved into the rock and remain part of the landscape visitors explore today.

The Kettle Valley Railway was built in 1914 by Canadian Pacific Railway through this challenging terrain, requiring five tunnels to cross the mountain ridges. The line served an important role in the region's mining and freight transport at that time.

The railway stations here bear names from Shakespeare's works such as Othello, Romeo, and Juliet, reflecting the engineer's love of literature. Visitors can still spot these names on old signs and plaques scattered along the path.

The park is open from April to October and offers a 3.5-kilometer round trip trail through the tunnels with gravel surfaces. The route is mostly level, but visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for uneven ground and damp areas inside the tunnels.

The granite walls rise about 300 feet above the river and were built using inventive methods such as wicker baskets and cliff ladders during tunnel construction. These building techniques reveal the creativity and courage of workers who faced extreme conditions.

Location: Fraser Valley Regional District

Inception: May 15, 1986

Website: http://env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/coquihalla_cyn

GPS coordinates: 49.37030,-121.36900

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:52