British Columbia | 580 km<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This scenic ride could be completed in a day, but with orchards, wineries and great swimming lakes along the way it\u2019s easy to stretch it into a weekend or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Starting in Hope, ride along the Crowsnest Highway through E. C. Manninng Park in the heart of the Cascade Mountains to the ranchland of the Similkameen Valley and on to Canada\u2019s only desert in the Okanagan. It\u2019s worth getting off the bike for the day to sample the award-winning wines in Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turn onto Highway 97 to ride north along the shores of Okanagan Lake. Take a quick detour in to ride up the ancient volcanic dome of Giant\u2019s Head in Summerland, then carry on to Peachland \u2013 where you can load up on some of B.C.\u2019s best peaches and plums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From here the ride heads back west through Merritt, rolling through forests and fields, along rivers, and up to the summit of the Coquihalla Pass on your way back to Hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walk among the stars
<\/strong>In Merritt, the self-styled Country Music Capital of Canada, you\u2019ll find more than 70 original handprint plaques from country stars like Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, Randy Travis and Alan Jackson along the Merritt Walk of Stars, as well as murals of more than 20 country top country artists on buildings around town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n