DH2

Video is optimized for broadband access. Wide-angle lenses used to record video straighten the curves out. For a truer sense of twistiness watch the mirror dip .

At a Glance

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Someone should tell this to the Ministry of Highways before they go straightening perfectly good roads. Fortunately, they limited their "improvements" to the final 16.0 km (10.0 mi) of this 128.7 km (79.8 mi) odyssey. What genius thought a multi-million dollar multi-laner was needed on a road where the only access from its western end is a ferry that holds forty cars? This road is so quiet, ranchers herd cattle on it. Despite the Ministry’s misguided efforts, this bridge across the Monashees between the Okanagan and Kootenays remains one of southern B.C.’s finest Destination Highways. An enormously varied riding experience, it ranges from farmland to wilderness, canyon to mountain summit, and tight narrow twisties to long, leaning sweepers. As for the freeway at the end? Like the signs say, that’s your tax dollars at work.

Riders Reviews:

"Man, I love this road! But I really shouldn't. After 25 years of riding, this road is still capable of goading me into anti-social behavior. Like the time I just had to beat those three lads on their sportbikes. Took 'em in the twisty bits. On an Electra Glide. Hanging off. Two-up. I know, I know. That's just wrong. Sweeeet. But wrong. Ah, what that DH2 does to me!" -John Caspar

"I've been riding this road on my Bandit every summer for the last four years since purchasing my copy of DH. I much prefer it to the DH1 because of the light traffic, lack of speed zones, and fewer driveways. I've done it as a round trip from Vernon to Revelstoke etc, and as a ride out to Needles and back. It's a blast and deserves its rating." --L Argent

"The three of us agreed it was the ride of the summer!" –Glenn (1990VFR) Phil (1979 Guzzi V1000) Tom (955i Daytona) read full story

"Just got back home to Washington from BC yesterday. We did this road on the last day of August. I would ride back to BC just to ride it again and again! Traffic was really light and the sun was shining. If this is the 2nd best road in DHBC, I can't wait to come up for DH1! AWESOME! Thanks for the ride! The ZZR-1200 LOVED it!"-John Hurlbut

"Did this DH in poor weather and it was still fun. It was dry getting off the ferry, but started raining just after we got off the new section of road. By the time we travelled 30km it was coming down in sheets and water was literally standing on any flat section of road. We'll be back next year to try it in the dry. I can hardly wait."-Dietmar Sedens

"Found this DH at SBW 2002 and it was a complete joy--traffic and weather were perfect. Lunch after the ferry ride at the Mushroom Addition was nice too (make sure to show your copy of DHBC and get the DH Rider Discount offered). The trip back was even better than the trip there!"-A

"I rode this DH about fourteen or fifteen years ago on a wonderful BMW R100RS. Great ride but rough. I rode it again last summer on a brand spanking new Suzuki TL1000 V-Strom (great ride, silly name). What a road! Twisty on the east end, right off the ferry, with that neat little switch back right out of the chute. Twisty in the middle, with that neat little restaurant that serves somebody's idea of home cooking, and no phone service! Twisty on the west end. Too bad it has to end (in mega-lane civilization). God, I love this sport!"-Dana Lees

"This road has almost everything except straight stretches! There aren't any great vistas of scenery laid out in front of you since much of the trip is down in the valley, so to speak. There are numerous lengthy stretches of tight curves as well as some more laid back stuff. Keep an eye out for cattle and for washboard in some of the tight curves. Several good tourist spots to stop at along the way including a restaurant around the midpoint."-Ken Kibblewhite

"Did this DH at SBW-awesome scenery, excellent variety of road. Could have been a little warmer and sunnier though but still I laughed out loud."
-Frank Hartung

"I just recently purchased my ZX-12, and for it's maiden voyage we decided to head to Nakusp for coffee. I live in Vernon so the round trip ride was about 5 hours with stops and ferry rides (about 400Km return). I have been wanting to do this ride for a number of years ( I used to travel this route for work a number of years back). We left at 6:30 AM on what was to be a 39 degree C day. Not a cloud in the sky, no wind, no traffic. This was like a dream come true. We got to the Monashee pass summit and had breakfast at a little restaurant/campground and to warm up from the 7 degree C temperature. The ride from Angel Camp to the Needles ferry is absolutly amazing. Basically this is a paved logging road along the side of a mountain. I have never seen STCs on this DH because it is so remote. After crossing the ferry one has to be a little careful as you aproach Nakusp due to a STC station located there. I am planning a loop ride to Nelson as this ride will include DH2,DH1 and DH5. How much better does it get than this? And to think that this is in my own back yard, so to speak."-Larry Hogelie

"I rode this the other day in good weather on my VFR800 with a buddy on an FJ1200 and we both agree it was one of the best we've ever ridden in BC. I would suggest riding east to west from the ferry, as the road winds up and is an exciting climb. Traffic was sparse and the sheer number of consecutive corners with above average pavement makes it very worthwhile. For very smooth pavement come south on DH35 from Revelstoke (the corners are good but need to be taken at high speed {+150 kmh} for them to be appreciated). Consider taking DH11 down to Kelowna for an additional challenge, although the pavement is weaker and traffic more frequent. DH2 was a great pleasure and we will ride it again!" -Jason Elliott

"This is a great road but don't tell anyone! Going east, the first 10 or 15 km is pretty plain stuff but soon it just gets better and better. The narrow section near 98.1 km is so much fun that it is worth the trip alone. Just watch for gravel and the drop-offs. The ferry trip is a perfect way to end this great road."-Caesar