Hope

The TransCanada Highway and Highway 7 from Vancouver [1], the Coquihalla Highway [2] to Kamloops, and Highway 3 from the Okanagan all meet at Hope (population 6,500). Surrounded by magnificent mountains and rivers, with a couple of great wilderness areas only a short drive away, and an abundance of recreational opportunities, Hope is a great place to spend some time.

Sights

To find out more about the history of Hope, visit Hope Museum (919 Water Ave., 604/869-7322, daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m. May–June, daily 8 a.m.–8 p.m. July–Aug., by donation), in the same building as the information center. The museum’s comprehensive collection of pioneer artifacts is displayed in several recreated settings, including a kitchen, bedroom, parlor, schoolroom, and blacksmith shop. Also don’t miss the tree-stump art scattered through town. In Memorial Park, an eagle holding a salmon in its claws (in front of the district office) was carved from a tree with root rot, and it was one of the original tree-stump works of art.

The five Othello–Quintette Tunnels through a steep gorge of Coquihalla Canyon were carved out of solid granite by the Kettle Valley Railway, but have been abandoned since the middle of last century. Today a short walk takes you from the Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park parking lot to and through the massive, dark tunnels—a popular tourist attraction. To get to there from downtown, take Wallace Street to 6th Avenue and turn right. Turn left on Kawkawa Lake Road, crossing the Coquihalla River Bridge and railway tracks. At the first intersection take the right branch, Othello Road, and continue until you see a sign to the right (over a rise and easy to miss) pointing to the recreation area. The tunnels are closed November–April.

Practicalities

Hope doesn’t offer much hope if you’re looking for upscale lodging. Instead you’ll find a motley collection of roadside motels. The best value of the downtown options is Best Continental Motel (860 Fraser Ave., 604/869-9726, $69–95 s or d), which also has a restaurant. Out on Old Hope–Princeton Way, the much newer Alpine Motel (604/869-9931 or 877/869-9931, $75 s, $85 d) offers large, comfortably furnished rooms, a pool, and a pleasant setting. Along the road up to the tunnels, Othello Tunnels Campground (67851 Othello Rd., 604/869-9448, www.othellotunnels.com [3], $25 unserviced sites, $27 hookups) sits right beside the river. Trees surround some sites, and facilities include hot showers, a covered barbecue area, grocery store, wireless Internet, laundry, and a playground.

Right downtown, the friendly staff at Hope Visitor Info Centre (919 Water Ave., 604/869-2021, www.hopebc.ca [4], daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m., with extended summer hours of 8 a.m.–8 p.m.) can help you decide which of the routes to take out of Hope, but might also convince you to stay in town a little longer.