He’s got to get away. John runs as fast as can until he reaches a cliff and heaves himself down. Rocks are slipping. His hands are sweating. Looking below, the river is moving so fast, it is mad, it’d suck anything in. He hears the sound of a helicopter. They’re coming for him. Johns toned and muscular military body is sweating. He’s just hanging there. Nowhere to go. Shots fired. His hand slips. They’re getting closer and the gun is pointed right at him, he has to do something… he lets go.
No Rambo nooo!!
Maybe it’s just me, but I happen to think that watching Sylvester Stallone, as fit as he is, hang off anything for dear life is well, actually, quite nice. Thank you Hollywood. It’s one thing though to watch Stallone himself but acting surrounded by some epic landscapes.. thank you Canada. Thank you Hope, BC.
Rambo may have been hanging from cliffs but just over a hundred years ago workers were the ones hanging off ropes and ladders, crossing suspension bridges and chopping out granite by hand to create a series of tunnels to serve as a southern railway on the Kettle Valley Railway.
Not only is the landscape quite epic with the Coquihalla river rapids flowing alongside and steep vertical walls, but in a time where railway development was just getting started, the construction of these tunnels were quite advanced for their time. Unfortunately the railway was short lived, the weather got the best of it.
The vegetation around feels almost rainforest or jungle like and it’s easy for your imagination to take off and envision what is was like back then (not when John Rambo was around but when real work was happening).
There are 5 tunnels and a 3.5km walk giving beautiful views of the river, granite walls and the tunnels themselves. Hope, B.C, home to maybe 6,000 is not very big but certainly a great stop especially if you’re passing through.
You don’t have to truck through like Rambo, this is an adventure to be had with minimal effort but I can guarantee you’ll get the Hollywood theatrics feels!
xo.Lauren
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sofie
Thanks So much for sharing, this is now definitely on my to go list! As is practically everywhere else! Keep it up!
Lauren Korstrom
sofieThanks girl!! Yes it’s one of those not maybe people know about places but it’s worth stopping for! So cool!
Sherrie Fabrizi-Allbritten
First, I just love Canada! And here is a perfect spot to show how much beauty there is in Canada. I think I now need to watch Rambo again, it’s been a few years 🙂 Love the photos!
Lauren Korstrom
Sherrie Fabrizi-AllbrittenThank you! Yes it is so so beautiful and diverse! Its really cool how small towns noone really knows about has the coolest things to explore!
Amy @ Family Globetrotters
What an absolutely beautiful place! Love that the trek is only 3.5km which is totally doable with my daughter. We are thinking of doing Whistler next winter so maybe we can do a bit of a road trip and check this place out too)
Lauren Korstrom
Amy @ Family GlobetrottersYes absolultly! It is very cool! Thinking back in time too and how it all came about is truly amazing!
Nancie
There’s is just so much over the top scenery in Canada. I’ve been to BC quite a few times but not Hope. It’s now on my list for next time.
Lauren Korstrom
NancieSO glad to hear! The scenery here is amazing! Have fun!
daniele
I don’t do lots of trekking but this is worth it. Great shots and great article 🙂
Lauren Korstrom
danieleThank you! Yes the walking is very easy and just cool historical place to take in!
Slavka
Good to know. Next time we go visit our friends who live there in the area, I’ll make sure we go to see these tunnels. They look amazing.
Lauren Korstrom
SlavkaThey’re quite cool and just a beautiful walk 🙂