Eco Retreat Activities

At Kw'o:kw'e:hala eco retreat is an intimate, exclusive, healthful, nurturing eco resort that offers gentle adventure and wholesome lifestyle experiences in nature.

Hiking, Cycling & Outdoor Experiences

Hiking in the unrushed style of "bushwalking" provides many opportunities to enjoy local flora and fauna up close with a mind to stepping lightly on the earth… start off slow and then go slower.

The following trails may be experienced nearby:

Cycling on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail upriver from the eco retreat gives a gives a different perspective of the Coquihalla River eco system. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail is virtually flat, and mostly paved, as it meanders along the Coquihalla River, thereby making it accessible for guests of most fitness levels. There are ample opportunities to view local wildlife, eat wild berries along the way, and drink in the mountain wilderness.

There are mountains of other activities to keep you playing at the eco retreat…bocce, croquet, bubbles, rock-hounding, inukshuk-building, sandcastle building…and on and on and on… only your imagination limits the possibilties.

As you travel through your days on and around the retreat, you will be reminded about how precious our environment is, and you will gently learn new and better ways to coexist respectfully.

From aboriginal derivatives of our namesake through to the early fur traders, on to historic decades of the Kettle Valley Railway, and through to the present day, our area is rich with culture, history, and stunning geography.

Beauty and diversity abound with ample opportunities to view nature up close. Wildlife viewing includes bear, deer, marmot, mountain sheep, birds of many feathers including heron, eagle, osprey, owl, eider ducks, harlequin ducks, wood ducks, merganser, kingfisher, bobbers, woodpecker, mosquito hawk, swifts, hummingbird, junko, etc. and many, many, song birds.

Plantlife surrounds us wherever we go. From giant fir, cedar, and hemlock forests, including a rare section of old growth forest, to chocolate lilies, ferns and "1000 kinds of moss", fauna changes with every passing month of the year.

Exploring the varied geography is fun and fills the mind, body, and soul. Rock hounding along the river may turn into hours looking for just "one more". Identifying birds, mushrooms, plants and trees becomes natural, even to a neophyte, very quickly.

More Nature and Recreation

Combining your eco retreat experience with other activities and places in the immediate area is a frequent pastime, especially for guests from far away.

The following list represents nature and recreation opportunities no farther than one hour away:

Private Recreation Opportunities
Private Airplane tour with our good friend Reg (non-commercial $65 per hour)
Guided fishing (we recommend Great River Fishing)
River Rafting (we recommend REO White Water Rafting)
Hope Golf and Country Club
Vancouver Soaring Association (glider tours)
Helicopter Tours (we recommend Valley Helicopters)

Public Parks
Manning Provincial Park (especially late June-early July alpine wild flower walking trail)
Mountain Biking Trails
Skagit Valley Recreation Area
Sasquatch Provincial Park
Silver Lake Park

Area Attractions
Harrison Hot Springs
Minter Country Gardens
Hell’s Gate Airtram and Salmon Fish Ladder

We strive to assist our guests in any way possible.

Add-on activities

Add-on activities away from the retreat:

• Private - Enjoy a fascinating outing with Naturalist and outdoor educator Kelly Pearce, whose detailed knowledge of natural and human history of the North Cascade Mountains is second to none. Any package of three days or longer may include a day with a Naturalist.
   
• Public – Join any one of the awesome outings arranged by Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning, a non-profit organization providing outdoor education, recreation, and ecological awareness in the watersheds of Southwest British Columbia.