Route

With intermediate single-track trails that encompass a wide variety of trail styles, the “Killer King” route will challenge you with its big climbs but also reward you with fun descents throughout, including an extended 14 km single-track descent (some pedaling though) from the high point. The loop includes trails in Kalamalka Provincial Park and on the King Eddy Plateau, near the city of Vernon, BC.

Be prepared! This route should not be taken lightly. It will take 6-8 hours depending on fitness. Take as much water and nutrition as you can carry, you’ll need it! Note that the route is a full 54km and not 48.6km as shown on Trailforks. It has been measured using a calibrated, wheel mounted odometer and the 54km is accurate within plus or minus .5km. Plan accordingly!

Plan to use Trailforks for navigation as provincial park restrictions prevent marking the Killer King route, however, trails are sign posted.

MTB 54km Route – Trailforks

Runner’s Killer King 54 km Route – Trailforks

What some are saying about the Killer King:

“Kudos to the evil mastermind that came up with the idea.” Chris B.

“It’s 54km of mostly single track that takes you through all the best blue trails in Kal Park. It’s a long day. But the views are 🤤 and the dirt is 👌🏼 at the moment.” Cycle Path Kelowna Bike Shop

“I did it twice last summer. It was an awesome route!” SpinningHeel42

“It was a great challenge & beautiful route!” Janice F.

“Ran it with a few friends. Great trails. Awesome route!” Adam H.

See what CanadianMTB has to say.

Check out MountainBikingBC’s blog post! And their Ales Trails video featuring Vernon trails and the Killer King Blonde Ale!

Vernon Morningstar article about the Killer King beer!

Rewards & Prizes

2024 KILLER KING CHALLENGE PRIZE DRAW WINNERS!

Thanks to all the riders and runners who completed the Killer King in 2024!! Our draw prize winners are:

Jeff Palatnick – 2 nights at any PRESTIGE RESORTS BC location!

Jenni Rubuliak – a pair of any in-stock pair of sunglasses (value up to $300) from MONASHEE OPTOMETRY!

Gillian Warner and Kevin Stevenson – $50 gift cards from SKYRIDE CYCLES!

2025 KILLER KING AID STATION DAY

Thinking ahead to riding or running the Killer King in 2025? Stay tuned for details about another fall aid station day.

From out of town?

Stay at the PRESTIGE VERNON HOTEL (with its secure bike room!) and receive a 20% discount off their Best Available Rate from May through October when you use the promo code “KILLERKING” on their room booking website . Or you can call the front desk at 250-558-5991 and request the Killer King discounted rate. This will be valid on all rooms types including standard rooms, loft suites, and kitchenettes.

This is not an event!

This is an informal challenge and not an event. Just another (really big) ride or run for you and your buddies. There is no registration required, no start and finish festivities, no aid stations. You are on your own to plan, support and complete the ride/run. Check out the Trailforks link so you can plan sufficient food and water, it’s long!

Killer King Beer

The Killer King Blonde Ale is no longer in production. In 2022, we had a special Killer King Blonde Ale made and a portion of every 6-pack purchase was donated to the North Okanagan Cycling Society (NOCS) in support of its trail building and maintenance efforts.

The Killer King Blonde Ale is featured in MountainBikingBC’s “Ales Trails” video series.

Read about the beer in the Vernon Morningstar!

Special Thanks To:

Robb Thompson of StudioDialog for designing the logo, t-shirts, stickers and providing a lot of very helpful advice along the way.

Warren Macdougall of GetU2TheTop for building the website.

Skyride Cycles for graciously serving as the pickup spot for t-shirts and stickers since 2021!

Bush Babes & Bros Trail Running Group for getting the word out to all of the trail runners out there, and for help in building new trails and clearing existing ones! Amazing how many runners have done the Killer King since the first year.

Jackson Parker, videographer, for all the amazing footage on this site, and for his enthusiasm and patience in educating me on all things visual and social media.

Niall Pinder, photographer, for all the great photos and for making a long shooting day a whole lot of fun.

Featured riders Ben Byerz and Emmett Hancock for putting in long days and still riding hard the whole time.

And special guest riders, Tayte and Seth Proulx-Royds for showing us average riders how it is done.