Kamloops travel guide

The sublime Thompson Valley landscape between Cache Creek and Kamloops provides a magnificent setting for this bland city. The endless hills of semi-desert, with their subtle hues and weird shapes, are an unlikely location for the second largest city in BC’s interior, but a chance meeting of valleys has made this an important transport hub ever since the days when the canoe was the vehicle of choice. The Shuswap name, Cumloops, means ‘meeting of the waters’. Today the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railways, as well as two major highways connecting Vancouver, the Rockies and points east, south and north all converge here. It’s a tough place to avoid, but there’s little reason to stop except in August when one of the best powwows in the country takes place .

If you want to explore the surrounding area, a two-hour walk, starting 4 km west on Tranquille Road, leads to the Hoodoos, tall sandstone sculptures carved by wind and water. Alternatively, go hunting for semi-precious stones and fossils with a guided geological tour or visit BC Wildlife Park, (20 Km E on Hwy 1 at 9077 Dallas Dr, T250-573 3242, http://www.bczoo.org, Jul-Aug daily 0930-2000, May, June and Sep 0930-1700, Sep-May 0930-1600, $12, youth $11, child $9.) This 50-ha park contains over 60 species including cougars, grizzly bears, wolves, moose and mountain goats.