Whether you are planning to visit Hope for a few days or are just passing through, check out this list of interesting things to do while you are in the area. There are too many to feature on this page so be sure to also visit Outdoor Recreation, Indoor Recreation, Parks and Events pages to learn more about this beautiful community.
Chainsaw Carvings
In Hope you will quickly notice the 60 plus chainsaw carvings proudly displayed around the town centre. Hope has been appropriately tagged as the Chainsaw Carving Capital. You will find a self-guided walking tour map available at the Visitors Centre (919 Water Avenue). The carvings often feature local wildlife such as eagles, mountain sheep, bears and cougars to name a few. Many of the carvings displayed are the creations of local wood carvers Pete Ryan and Randy Swope. Hope hosts an International Wood Carving Competition in late summer (every two years). Carvers from all over the world travel here to compete. The 2015 winner is on display in front of District Hall on the corner of Wallace and Third. Be sure to visit the Events page for upcoming events such as this when planning your vacation.
Rambo Walking Tour
Most of us are familiar with the blockbuster hit Rambo, but did you know it was filmed in Hope BC? Over 30 years ago, Hollywood came north and transformed our small Canadian town into a small American town. The wildly popular Rambo franchise continues to draw movie fans to Hope for a chance to walk the same streets and wilderness as the ex-Green Beret. When you arrive in Hope, stop by the Visitors Centre to pick up a walking tour guide. Some of the key filming locations are at the Othello Tunnels, Wallace Street, 3rd Avenue and Water Street. The Police Station built for the movie set, was given to Hope and relocated from Wallace Street to Douglas Street where it is now Canyon Golden Age Club.
Hope Slide
In the early hours of January 9, 1965, almost 50 million cubic metres of snow, rock, mud and trees tumbled 1800 metres down the southeast slope of Johnson Peak into the valley below. Outram Lake, located near the bottom of Johnson Peak was completely wiped out and the force of the landslide pushed debris up the slope of the mountain on the opposite side of the valley. This debris then moved back down and up Johnson Peak again, like a sloshing effect. Two miles of highway were covered by this landslide and 4 people were buried. Only two of these four victims were rescued. The other two and their vehicles are still lost under the 60 metres of debris. The slide was large enough that it was registered as an earthquake at a nearby seismic monitoring station. The landslide occurred 19 kilometres east of Hope, BC, hence the name "Hope Slide." Due to the enormity of the slide, Highway #3 was rerouted south and now skirts around the edge of the debris in the valley. The damage to Johnson Peak is visible from the highway. There is a vehicle pull-out area on Highway #3 where travelers can stop, view the slide and read the commemorative plaque and slide information.
The Othello Quintette Tunnels (Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park)
The tunnels are open. Please note that parking at the tunnels is limited and peak times are 1:00-4:30 p.m. on weekends. The Othello Quintette Tunnels, better known as the Othello Tunnels, are one of the most spectacular, man-made attractions in the Lower Mainland. The contrast between the man-made structure against the steep granite cliffs is wild. You and your family will be in awe of this magnificent area. There are five tunnels which were built in 1914 to connect the Koutenay Region with the BC coast by rail. These tunnels were built in a straight line through the granite cliffs. The engineer Andrew McCullough was an avid reader of Shakespearean literature so he named each station of the Coquihalla subdivision after the playwright's famous characters: Lear, Jessica, Portia, Iago and Romeo & Juliet. There are breathtaking viewing opportunities as you walk along the trail, through the tunnels and on the bridges. If you visit the tunnels in late summer, you will likely see spawning salmon leaping from the river as they make their way up the Coquihalla. If you are interested in enjoying a longer walk, you can continue past the last tunnel and walk along the Kettle Valley Trail into Hope. Flashlights are strongly recommended for anyone walking or cycling through the Tunnels. Some are long and dark, and the gravel surface underfoot may be uneven due to erosion caused by dripping water. Features: Picnic tables, fishing, hiking, cycling and toilets. Dogs on leash are allowed. Directions: Traveling East on Highway #1, take exit 170 and turn left at the stop light at end of exit ramp. Turn right at Old Hope-Princeton Highway junction (stop light). Turn left at 6 Ave, then right on Kawkawa Lake Rd and slight left to stay on Kawkawa Lake Rd. Take second right on Othello Rd. and take first right to stay on Othello Rd. You will see the parking area ahead. Park Map Park Brochure
Hell's Gate Airtram
Drive the Scenic Fraser Canyon with its seven mountain tunnels into the historic heart of British Columbia and visit the biggest ‘rush’ on the Gold Rush Trail. You can see this river gorge for yourself as you exchange mountain ranges aboard one of the few descending gondolas in North America. These aerial trams will give you a birds-eye view of this historic landmark where 200 million gallons of water per minute thunder through a 33 metre wide passage. Hell's Gate Airtram is now open for the season.
Spawning Salmon
Salmon spend their early life in rivers, then journey to the Pacific Ocean where they grow and mature. Then once they are mature, the salmon make the journey from ocean to their natal river where they spawn on the gravel beds. The salmon soon die and complete their role in the salmon life cycle. This annual run is an amazing event to witness. The salmon run our local rivers and this activity can be seen in some prime locations such as the Coquihalla River at the Othello Tunnels and Sucker's Creek. Take some time to look for these beautiful fish jump and fly in and out of the stream.
Christ Church
Christ Church (Anglican) is the oldest church in the lower mainland of British Columbia and continues to hold regular church services. It is officially a National Historic Site of Canada. The church was founded by Rev. Alexander St. David Francis Pringle in 1861. Two years earlier, he founded the first library in the lower mainland. The Church is a beautifully crafted, Gothic Revival style structure located at 680 Fraser Street. The building is composed of nave and chancel sections with a side entrance porch covered by a gable roof.
Geo Caching
Geocaching is a modern day treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. The only rules are if you take something from the geocache box, then you must leave something of equal or greater value and you must also describe your find in the log book. There are hundreds of geocache treasurers hidden in beautiful Hope, BC and the surrounding area. Here are a few More Hope Geocaches
Hope Lookout
This is a very popular trail in Hope. It is a fairly moderate hike up the front of Hope Mountain and leads to a lookout over the town of Hope including Kawkawa Lake and the Coquihalla and Fraser Rivers. The lookout is perched on a stable talus slope 500 metres up the mountain.
White Water Rafting
Hope, Cascades & Canyons is home to some of BC's wildest rivers. The Fraser, Thompson, Coquihalla, and Nahatlatch are all rafted by local companies and never disappoint. Few things beat spending a day on the river. Embrace the journey and sign up for a day trip on the Fraser, Thompson, Coquihalla, or Nahatlatch this summer and experience the province from water-level. The Coquihalla and Nahatlatch are paddle-rafted; the Thompson is paddle- or power-rafted; and the Fraser is power-rafted.
Sturgeon Fishing
Anglers travel from far and wide to Hope BC for an opportunity to battle the largest freshwater fish in the world, the white sturgeon. These prehistoric fish can be caught in the Fraser River through out the year, but the best months are April to October. Sturgeon in the Fraser River usually measure between 2 and 6 feet long, but they can be as long as 10 feet and sometimes even longer! Due to their size and remarkable strength, good quality, heavy duty fishing gear is a must. Most of the fishing in the lower/non-tidal part of the river is done by boat since the shores have poor access. Anglers who do not have a boat usually hire a guide who can offer the best service and fishing experience from the comfort of a jet boat. Guided sturgeon fishing tours are widely available, but book up quickly so make sure you book your tour in advance. White sturgeon fishing is truly one of the most powerful experiences you will have. It’s perfect for families, tourists and even corporate groups. Check out the following Sportfishing Guides:
Helicopter Tour
View the Hope area from a different perspective. Valley Helicopter offers impressive tour packages. Take the "Mountain Tour" and enjoy breathtaking views of Mt. Ogilvie and the Upper Fraser Valley. You may even see local mountain goats as they graze on the mountain side. Other packages include Heli-Fishing and a Drop-Off Tour of Mt. Hope where you get to enjoy your own private alpine meadow along with spectacular views. Valley Helicopters also offers an 18-20 minute tour of the Fraser Valley which you can share with three of your friends.
Hang Gliding
For first-timers ages 10+, Hope and Bridal Falls area offers stunning gateways to the best hang gliding in BC.
