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MOUNTAINS & VINEYARDS f ut 1 Begin your journey in Golden. Set on the banks of the Columbia River, this tranquil town offers endless outdoor adventures. Enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River or quietly watch for birds in the world-renowned Columbia Wetlands. For panoramic mountain views, ride the gondola to the top of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and enjoy a memorable meal at Canada's highest restaurant, the Eagle's Eye, which sits at an elevation of 2,346 metres (7,700 feet). The mountain's great hiking, mountain biking and "champagne powder" skiing may also entice you. Just east of Golden on Hwy 1 is Yoho National Park, boasting astonishing landscapes with craggy peaks, glacial lakes and Takakkaw Falls—one of Canada's highest waterfalls. Take the circle trail around spectacular jewel-coloured Emerald Lake, visit the Natural Bridge or view the Spiral Tunnels. These train tunnels were carved in 1909 to avoid steep descents on the treacherous "Big Hill." Stop for a few minutes and you may see the front end of a locomotive emerging from the upper portal, while the back end of the train enters the same tunnel below. 2 Following the Columbia River, drive south on Hwy 95/93 for stunning Rocky Mountain views. Play golf on top-rated, 18-hole championship courses with dramatic mountain backdrops. Stop for a steamy soak in the rejuvenating, mineral-rich hot spring pools at either Radium or Fairmont hot springs. In Cranbrook explore Trains Deluxe – The Canadian Museum of Rail Travel, featuring the only complete set of rail cars from the luxurious 1929 Canadian Pacific Railway Trans-Canada Limited. Continue southwest on Hwy 3, to the orchard town of Creston, and stop by a local winery to taste wine paired with local cheese. Visit the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area—a 6,879-ha (17,000-ac) wetland habitat, home to an estimated 300 bird species with viewing towers and guided canoe tours. 4 Once you reach Salmo, drive north on Hwy 6 to historic Nelson. Be sure to take a self-guided walking tour of 350 restored heritage buildings and homes. Ride Streetcar #23 along the waterfront, stroll down Baker Street and tour the studios and galleries of what is reputed to be Canada's finest small-town arts community. Highway 3A brings you to Castlegar, rich in history and Doukhobor culture; enjoy some time at the Doukhobor Discovery Centre and Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park. Take a short drive south on Hwy 22 to Trail, a town well-known for their award-winning gardens and parks, and Rossland, home to hundreds of kilometres of mountain biking trails. be sure to play a round of golf at one of the area's numerous championship golf courses; the holes are as spectacular as the scenery. In Kelowna, visit the BC Orchard Industry Museum and the BC Wine Museum located in a historic fruit-packing house. Cruise into the Shuswap Lake area, a picturesque houseboat haven. With 1,000 km (620 mi) of shoreline, you'll find ample space to play; whether your activity of choice is swimming, camping, fishing, boating, hiking or biking. 6 Follow the Trans-Canada Hwy 1 to historic Craigellachie. In 1885, the "Last Spike" was driven into Canada's first transcontinental railway, joining the West to the East. Stop in the alpine city of Revelstoke and tour the Railway Museum, a tribute to the workers that built the nation's transcontinental railway through difficult mountain passes. Between Revelstoke and Golden, drive through one of BC's great mountain crossings: Rogers Pass. Marvel at this feat of engineering that forged a path through the mighty Selkirk and Purcell mountains, making way for the railroad and the Trans-Canada Highway. 5 Drive along Hwy 3/3B to Hwy 97, and then north to the Okanagan Valley's orchards and vineyards to savour award-winning wines and where you can take your pick of the season's fresh crops. This warm-weather region is cradled between two mountain ranges, with a chain of blue lakes and sandy beaches 3 From 1917 to 2001 the charming alpine sprawled across the valley floor. Heading city of Kimberley was home to the world's north from Osoyoos, you'll pass through a largest lead-zinc mine. Explore the amazing desert-like climate. In Oliver, a tour of local mining history, including a trip on the wineries is a must—there are more than 25 Underground Mining Railway. Stroll the in the area. Tour the vineyards then sample historical 5-hectare Cominco Gardens, filled your favourite Merlot, Cabernet, Pinot or with thousands of colourful blooms, flower Chardonnay in the tasting rooms. beds and trees. Hike, bike and explore the many multi-use trails that criss-cross the In Summerland, climb aboard the vintage 800-hectare Kimberley Nature Park, one of Kettle Valley Steam Railway, which will the largest municipal parks in Canada. transport you on a 16-km (10-mi) trip. And Mountains & Vineyards DBC-SP-72_CircleRts_Reprint2013.indd 13 13 13-06-13 10:38 AM