Route

The Killer King route, created in 2021, with 26 intermediate single-track trails that encompass a wide variety of trail styles, will challenge you with its big climbs but also reward you with fun descents throughout. The route includes an extended 14 km single-track descent from the high point (with a bit of pedaling though).

What makes this route different than other epic BC rides like the Seven Summits in Rossland or Comfortably Numb in Whistler is that it is a loop ride, no point-to-point logistics required! The loop starts and ends in Kalamalka Provincial Park with trails also on the King Eddy Plateau, near the city of Vernon, BC.

Be prepared! This route should not be taken lightly. The Killer King is a route, not an event, so you are on your own to plan, support and complete the ride/run, no different than any other big ride/run you plan for yourself.

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 to help with navigation.

MTB 54km Route 2021 ORIGINAL – Trailforks

MTB 54km Route Updated with NEW TRAILS! 2025

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

KILLER KING CHALLENGE & AID STATION DAY

The Killer King Challenge is back for the 2026 riding season!

Challenge yourself to ride the Killer King route on any one day in 2026. If you complete it anytime from now until the snow flies (usually end of October), and you would like a free “I Conquered the Killer King” sticker, a t-shirt (available for purchase) and be entered into a draw for free prizes, send an email with your Strava/Garmin/Trailforks ride recording to: KillerKingVernon@gmail.com

Monashee Optometry is offering a choice of a pair of sunglasses (up to $300 in value!) and Olympia Cycles is offering hoodies, t-shirts and socks (will be in several prize bags). How cool is that? Thanks Monashee and Olympia!

AID STATION DAY – OCTOBER 3, 2026

For all riders and runners, there will be another self-catered aid station day this year on Saturday October 3!! The aid station will be up on the King Eddy Plateau so you can refill your water and have some snacks. Your refreshments, provided by you so they are exactly what you want, will be shuttled up to the Plateau to be waiting for you at the half-way point. No other support will be provided other than to drive your provided supplies up to the Plateau.

How it will work: From 8:00-9:30 am on Saturday, October 3, rain or shine, drop off your refreshments at the Kal Park Cosens Bay parking lot (you can also bring a small cooler of your own which will get returned to you). The aid station will be at about the halfway point and you will pass by it twice. No need to sign-up but if you know you are going, send a note to killerkingvernon@gmail.com or use the link below to let the folks who are taking your stuff up to the Plateau know you are coming, or for any questions you have.

From out of town?

Prestige Hotels and Resorts has been a big draw prize sponsor of the Killer King in past years and they have a great set-up for bikes with a secure bike room at the PRESTIGE VERNON HOTEL. At this time, unfortunately, we can no longer offer the 20% discount off their Best Available Rate, however, you can try calling the front desk at 250-558-5991 and tell them you are riding the Killer King. Maybe you can get a discount!

This is not an event!

This is an informal, personal challenge and not an event. Just another (really big) ride or run for you and your buddies. There is no registration or fees 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 and difficult!

Killer King Beer

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. Unfortunately, the Killer King Blonde Ale is no longer in production.

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.