Midway: Trails, River and Railway History

In Midway, extensive trails, the Kettle River and reminders of railway history come together. This makes the town an interesting destination for different kinds of trips: you can focus on hiking and cycling, make time for the river, or learn more about the railway past of southern British Columbia. Which of these appeals to you most can help you decide whether Midway is the right destination for your vacation rental.

From the Rail Trail to a loop by the river

A notable feature is the meeting point of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail and the Columbia and Western Railway. Together, they form a 240 km section of the Great Trail near Midway. If you like to include longer distances in your travel plans, this offers a different scale from the Riverwalk Hiking Trails: these form a 4.6 km loop that runs along the Kettle River and then follows the Trans Canada Trail back to Midway. The two options differ both in length and in the form described. Consider whether you would rather focus on an extended trail route or a clearly defined loop.

The trail network hosted by Midway is open to hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners. This lets you coordinate your planned activity with your travel group, without implying a particular use or distance for every individual trail. The hills above Midway offer another perspective: well-marked viewpoints provide views of Canada and the United States. If you are especially interested in hiking and views, you can give these features greater weight when choosing a destination.

The Kettle River and recreation in town

The Kettle River flows through Midway and offers opportunities for fly fishing year-round. This adds another nature experience to the trails and viewpoints. When planning, it helps to distinguish between your group’s interests: should an outing focus mainly on hiking or cycling, or would you also like to include fly fishing? The descriptions of the Riverwalk Trails and fly fishing refer to different activities and should not be combined into a single route.

Another recreational option is the 18-hole disc golf course in a 60-acre recreation area owned by the community. Its fairways pass through areas with scattered trees and shrubs, partly open wooded areas and open grassland. If you want to play disc golf, you’ll find a variety of landscapes within the course. The Kettle Spray Park opened in James G. McMynn Park in July 2024. Several water-play features help visitors of all ages cool off. This is a specific point of reference for families who would like to include water play in their activities together.

Railway history in Midway

At “Mile 0” of the Kettle Valley Railway stands the original station building, built in 1900. Today, it houses exhibits about the steam railway era in southern British Columbia and the British Columbia Provincial Police. The Kettle River Museum also includes a yard with historic artifacts, a railway car and a gatekeeper’s house. Visitors can go inside a fully operational Canadian Pacific Railway caboose. The various elements make the museum visit more than a single exhibition space: the station building, yard, car and gatekeeper’s house are all part of the described complex.

The United Church is also one of Midway’s historic sites. It was built by the Great Northern Railway crew in 1905. Along with the station building and museum, it adds another historic location in town to the railway history. If culture and history matter to your trip, these places can be a reason in their own right to consider Midway, alongside its active recreation options.

Discover more places

If you’re planning a trip beyond Midway, this overview also includes Trail, Greenwood, Genelle, Beaverdell, Christina, Fruitvale, Rossland and Grand Forks.

For the broader travel overview: Kootenay Boundary.