Othello Tunnels is one of those photo-esque locations that we've been wanting to visit for the past year or so. Since COVID-19 and because of landslides in the area, the tunnels have been closed. On a recent trip towards that area of British Columbia, we double checked to see if the tunnels had been opened and sure enough, they had just been reopened weeks before. We took the opportunity to stop at the tunnels and we were glad to have been able to partake in this unique experience!

About the Othello Tunnels

The Othello Tunnels are a series of old train tunnels that have since been converted into a 1.8km walking path for public visitors. This series of five tunnels were constructed in the early 1900's to link the Kootenay Region with the BC coast by rail and takes you through the canyon for viewing opportunities along the way. Attached to the path are hiking opportunities - a hiking trail that takes you around one of the mountains back to the parking lot and another trail (the Kettle Valley Rail Trail) that takes you into Hope. 

The Othello Tunnels have become a popular tourist attraction for the town of Hope and is a great place for viewing, walking, fishing and picnicking opportunities. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and because of landslides (the tunnels are usually closed during the winter months due to falling rocks and ice anyway), the Othello Tunnels have been closed for the greater parts of 2020 and 2021. After renovations and reinforcements to certain areas of the tunnel, the Othello Tunnels have recently opened up to the public again.

The Othello Tunnels Path

• Length: 1.8km

• Traffic: Moderate

• Route Type: Out & Back

The Othello Tunnels Path is a unique experience for dogs and their owners. The beginning parts of the path feels like another trail in British Columbia, but you will quickly find yourself wandering into dark tunnels. This path is split up into five fairly evenly spaced out tunnels - some longer than others - and the experience of walking in the darkness towards the light was a fun one that we would do again.

The path begins from the parking lot, where there are quite a few parking spots and picnic tables under the shade. It's hard to imagine this lot being completely full, but we also came midweek, so perhaps we didn't get the full experience. The path toward the tunnels is mostly flat with some small inclines and it is well-groomed with crushed gravel. Along the way, you will get to walk on bridges where you can look below to see the rushing of water. Once you've made it through the five tunnels, you will see another sign, which marks the end of the trail. From this point, you have the choice to turn around to come back the way you come or continue along on one of the other trails.

The Hope-Nicola Valley Trail Loop

• Length: 5.6km

• Traffic: Low

• Route Type: Loop

At The Markus Project, we're all about those low effort, high reward type of hikes. What we mean is we're really into the type of hikes that end with a great viewpoint, a lake or a waterfall, but doesn't require too much work to get there. For us - who enjoy hiking, but would not classify ourselves as avid hikers - the easier, the better. Another way to put it is that we generally hike for what's at the end and not really for the hike itself (although we also do it so our dog can get some exercise). With all that said, the Hope-Nicola Valley Trail Loop didn't check off those boxes for us.

We saw the Othello Tunnels first, so we started this loop on the tunnel side (you can also start by the parking lot going the other way and end with the tunnels). At the end of the Othello Tunnels Path, we saw a sign for this loop and figured we had already completed 1.8km of a 5.6km loop and had some time on our hands, so we might as well complete it. Big mistake.

Once we got on the Hope-Nicola Valley Trail Loop, we started making our way uphill and quickly realized that it wasn't going to be as easy as the path thus far. As opposed to the wide and well-groomed trail, we were now cutting through overgrown shrubs with a path so narrow that you have to go single file. If you have a reactive dog with you, keep this in mind since it won't be very easy to pass on this trail.

The trail also ramps up the elevation gain quite quickly, so it will be more of an exercise and your heart rate will pick up. It's interesting because when we did our research on this trail, some classified it as easy and others as moderate. Our assessment is that while it's not so steep that you need your hands to propel you upwards, it is steep enough that you'll feel the burn if you're not normally active. Coming down - especially with a dog pulling you forward - was a bit harder.

One of the reasons we were interested in this trail was because there was a viewpoint and a historical landmark along the way. As mentioned, we don't mind doing hikes especially when there's a "reward" at the end. Unfortunately with this hike, we had our mind set on something so grand that we actually missed the viewpoint and walked right past it without realizing. Thinking back, we did pass by a man-made wooden bench that looked out into the woods and it's easy to say now that was the viewpoint, but as far as views in British Columbia go, we've seen better.

We find that ratings and breakdowns of trails are normally fairly accurate, but what we read about this trail compared to our experience of it was too different. It was almost as if a lot of the comments are based on the tunnel part of the trail only (which is extremely easy to do) and not the entire loop, but we can't be sure. It's either that or we're really out of shape, which is quite possible too.

Without disparaging this trail too much, we will say that the incline makes it moderately difficult and that there isn't really a great view along the way or the end (except for the tunnels) that makes it worthwhile. It is a hike up and down a hill and based on that, we likely would not do this trail again.

What we liked

• The experience of walking along the Othello Tunnels Path is very unique and it's worth visiting the trail for that alone.

• The Othello Tunnels Path is wide and relatively flat. It's quite easy to do and not too bad for reactive dogs.

What we didn't like

• We wouldn't recommend the Hope-Nicola Valley Trail Loop that's beyond the tunnels. For us, it was moderately difficult without anything really worthwhile along the way except for the tunnels, which you can access without doing the loop.

• Parts of the trail along the Hope-Nicola Valley Trail Loop were very narrow and you have to walk single file.

• We walked through so many spider webs along the way. A few times a hike is bearable, but having to pull web strands off your face every few minutes was too much.

Our Recommendation for Reactive Dogs

If you're bringing a dog on this trail, the Othello Tunnel Path is wide enough for everyone. Since there are bridges along the path and access to powerful rushing waters, dog owners kept their dogs on-leash (which is the rule, anyways). 

The other thing to mention is that while most of the tunnels are illuminated by natural light, there were parts of the path that were pretty dark. Although we didn't have an issue taking our dog through, some dog owners have mentioned that their dogs refused to go into the tunnel, so just keep that in mind.

In terms of the Hope-Nicola Valley Trail Loop, that one is a bit harder for us to recommend. There are some very narrow parts along the trail where we had to walk single file and we're lucky that we didn't come across other dogs during those stretches. That said, this loop wasn't very busy and we only came across two other groups of hikers with no dogs.

Disclaimer

Markus is a reactive, but not aggressive dog. His instinct is to avoid other dogs and he may growl, bark or lunge if provoked, but will not attack. We normally do not have issues with leashed dogs when both sides are controlled, but we will be on guard when an oncoming dog is not leashed. There are varying levels to a dog’s reactivity and only you can decide if this park, trail or hotel is appropriate for your dog. Our visits generally will not include off-leash areas; most experiences shared on The Markus Project are within leashed or undefined areas.

Please remember that our past experience visiting a park, trail or hotel may not be the same as your experience at the same park, trail or hotel. We have no control of who visits the park and whether they adhere to park rules - like leashing their dogs on leash-required paths - or not. Please use your discretion with the information provided and with your personal knowledge of your dog’s reactivity when visiting these parks, trails or hotels.