Lower Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint
Lower Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint
Lower Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint
3.8
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.8
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johnnnita
Napa, CA2,367 contributions
Oct 2022
You may not have this on your major stops unless part of a tour like we had. During our all day "Pursuit" tour, this was one of the places we experienced briefly. It was worth the stop, since we actually witnessed the Canadian Pacific train "spiraling" and winding through these rail tunnels. That was quite a treat! You may not feel it's worth it unless you can view the train itself. From the observation location, it's hard enough to find the tunnels. Fortunately, we had a professional guide to help us. the train was the icing on the cake.
While in the observation area, take the time to read and learn more about why the "spiral tunnels" were constructed and the challenges involved. It's quite a history lesson, especially if you are a train enthusiast (or even not).
While in the observation area, take the time to read and learn more about why the "spiral tunnels" were constructed and the challenges involved. It's quite a history lesson, especially if you are a train enthusiast (or even not).
Written February 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
platypus150
Melbourne, Australia33,302 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
It is less dramatic to see the tunnels from the inside. I came through on the Rocky Mountaineer and we had to wait while a freight was negotiating them. With some freights 2.5km long it is possible to see each end of the train with the middle "missing" inside.
Written September 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GPaCalgary
Calgary, Canada2,354 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Our friends were visiting from the UK. We were on our way to Kelowna, and stopped here to find out all about the spiral tunnels. The signage is very helpful and descriptive. We only wish that we had stayed five minutes longer so that we could witness a train making its was down the mountain.
Written September 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulaDDuck
Toronto, Canada189 contributions
Sep 2021
This is a great stop for the Upper Spiral Tunnel. They have done a great job providing lots of interpretative signage and a 3D model explaining the historical situation that was solved by this upper tunnel in Cathedral Mountain. If you get a chance, also go to the lookout for the Lower Spiral Tunnel in Mount Ogden near the beginning of the Yoho Valley Road up to the Takakkaw Falls.
Written September 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hermann t
Muelheim an der Ruhr, Germany565 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Many people stop here in the parking lot and are disappointed. There are some picture boards with interesting information. However, the view of the railway line is highly unsatisfactory. If there is no train, literally all you see is the green of the trees.
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Written July 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeniorTravelerTF
Fort Atkinson1,249 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
A fascinating and unique feature that is viewable in very few places in the world. A very well detailed set of exhibit signs tell the story, but then you wait for a train to appear (about 25 a day). So it may be a wait. We waited, then found a tour bus stopping and listened to the guide's spiel and, more important, he knew the best vantage points to see the train. So it was probably an hour in total.
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim B
Grapeview, WA1,835 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
We stopped here over 30 years ago and was fascinated by the engineering behind these railroad tunnels. Looked forward to seeing them again and were surprised at how much the trees had grown. Still fun to watch as a train goes through.
There are many descriptive signs showing how they work at the pull off, however down in Field at the Visitor Center, there is a model railroad layout that gives a really good visual of it.
There is also an interpretive hike you can take from the Kicking Horse Campground that takes you up to some of the old rail bed and an abandoned steam locomotive. It is listed as easy, however I would consider it more of a moderate hike due to elevation gain.
There are many descriptive signs showing how they work at the pull off, however down in Field at the Visitor Center, there is a model railroad layout that gives a really good visual of it.
There is also an interpretive hike you can take from the Kicking Horse Campground that takes you up to some of the old rail bed and an abandoned steam locomotive. It is listed as easy, however I would consider it more of a moderate hike due to elevation gain.
Written October 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Poisonivyjc
Calgary, Canada988 contributions
Jul 2020
We were fortunate enough to that we stopped and waiting about 10 mins and the train came. It is very neat to see. I heard that trains go by about every 20 minutes so worth waiting a little. U will hear the train before u see it. Would be nice if the bushes and trees were cut back some what so u could really see the train
Written July 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Merrowmum
Guildford, UK1,410 contributions
Jul 2022
It is very interesting to read the history and story behind this system of tunnels and why they were necessary. There is plenty of well done information as well as a scale model. Sadly we didn’t see a train using the tunnels which would have made the experience so much better!
Written July 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy P
ontario canada352 contributions
Sep 2022
I had read about the Spiral Tunnels before our trip. We were lucky enough to see a long train heading towards the tunnels. We parked and ran only to discover that it still took about 10 mins for the train to go past us (we could only hear it and start the spiral and head back). it was very cool to watch the same long train going in 3 different directions on 3 different levels. Only sad part is the trees are very tall and you are able to only catch glimpses of the train, but still worth watching.
Written October 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The vast majority of trains are cargo trains going through and you can't find those schedules. The only train you can predict is the Rocky Mountaineer, and you can find the schedule for that on the VIA rail website, but that isn't even a daily train.
Written July 8, 2018
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