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Journey
through the spectacular Inside Passage |
Commence this exciting
seven to fourteen day trip in the lively and bustling metropolis of
Vancouver, with its wonderful array of public gardens, parks
and beaches. One of the most desirable cities on the planet to explore,
Vancouver is awash with outdoor possibilities, from the famous Stanley
Park to the infamous Wreck Beach. Once you've had your fill of art,
shopping and fine dining, and have explored what the city has to offer,
travel south and board a BC Ferry at Tsawwassen for the relaxing 90-minute
scenic ride to Vancouver Island.
In the
capital city of Victoria, you'll discover the Victorian's love
for the natural world in the profusion of gardens, parks and hanging
flower baskets, where totem poles stand as a proud reminder of the
Native heritage, and the Royal BC Museum displays a world-class repository
of historical and Native artifacts.
Cross the Malahat Ridge north of Victoria, and travel through the
lush, rolling Cowichan and Chemainus Valleys, with this pastoral atmosphere
continuing as you make your way north towards Nanaimo and Parksville.
As you drive the island highway, its always a treat to look across
the Strait of Georgia at landmarks on the mainland, as the spires
of the Coast Mountains rise on the eastern horizon.
The farther north you head towards Courtenay and Campbell
River, however, the more the peaks and glaciers of the island's
ranges vie for equal attention, principally the imposing Comox Glacier,
Forbidden Plateau, and Mount Washington. Interesting stops along the
North Island Highway include a short side trip to Sayward,
a small coastal settlement on Kelsey Bay, and Port McNeill.
From here, ferries run to nearby Cormorant and Malcolm Islands, and
the towns of Alert Bay and Sointula, located respectively
on each island. The U'mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay, an inspiring
Kwakwaka'wakw museum, examines cultural origins and potlatch traditions.
Get ready to travel
through the protected waters of British Columbia's central and northern
coastline, and the 507-km Inside
Passage route plied by cruise ships en route to Alaska. BC Ferries'
may not rival the QE ll in size, but is majestic enough to carry freight
trailers, family sedans, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, and touring
bicycles.
Passengers
boarding in Port Hardy for the trip to Prince Rupert include
the usual manifest of adventure-hungry world travellers you'd expect
to find boarding a ferry in British Columbia, bolstered by a contingent
of tree planters, depending on the season. By the conclusion of the
journey, you'll probably be on nodding, if not full-blown speaking,
terms with many of your fellow passengers. Aside from the short stretch
of open ocean between Vancouver Island and Rivers Inlet, where the
Central Coast archipelago begins, the route north to Prince Rupert
leads through a narrow maze of channels, passes, and reaches. Snow
and ice coat the peaks of the mountains, and their shoulders plunge
to the tideline. So rugged is most of this coast that if you were
exploring here by kayak, you'd be challenged to find a welcoming landing
site. Passengers should keep their eyes peeled for a whale or dolphin
in Queen Charlotte Sound. With a bit of luck, you might even see a
white-coated Kermode bear on Princess Royal Island's lengthy shoreline.
Disembark
at Prince Rupert, the gateway to pristine wilderness, nestled
up under the Alaska panhandle. Witness the legacy of oral history,
archaeological discoveries and unique artifacts that depict ten thousand
years of northwest coast history at the Museum of Northern BC, or
visit BC's oldest surviving salmon cannery, now designated a National
Historic Site.
After exploring
the town, board another ferry (summer) for the hauntingly beautiful
Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii), and learn about the
fascinating culture of the Haida people, or visit the Gwaii
Haanas National Park and Naikoon Provincial
Park.
Venture westwards along Highway 16 through the Skeena River Valley
to Terrace, nestled within a forest amidst the Coast Mountain
Range. Host to a myriad of outdoor activities, visitors should break
out their hiking boots and fishin' pole, and keep their eyes peeled
for the elusive 'Great Spirit Bear" - the white Kermode bear.
Visit
K'san Historical Village in Hazelton |
Stop for totem
poles at the small village of Kitwanga and Kitwancool,
to see what are reputed to be the oldest and finest examples of totem
poles in the world. Admire the Hazelton Mountains and the 'Ksan
Historical Village and Museum in Hazelton, with its seven
decorated tribal houses fronted with several totems that stand silently
on the banks of the Skeena and Bulkley Rivers.
In the
picturesque Bulkley Valley, Smithers is known as Little Switzerland,
offering great summer outdoor
recreation, and some of the best snowmobiling in British Columbia
during the winter. Travelling through Houston and Vanderhoof
brings you to Prince George, the hub of northern and central
British Columbia, and the departure
point for brave souls heading up the lonely Alaska Highway. Prince
George sits between two mountain ranges on a dry plateau at the confluence
of the Nechako and Fraser Rivers. For those who get their thrills
under the open sky, Prince George is a paradise. Several parks and
heritage trails are close by, and literally thousands of lakes and
rivers beckon you and your rod, canoe, boat and backpack.
Southbound on the Cariboo Highway 97, you'll follow the old Cariboo
Wagon Road of the 1860s, which led eager prospectors northwards on
the great Cariboo Gold Rush, arriving in the town of Quesnel,
where you can soak up the rich history of the Gold Rush era or try
your hand at a little gold panning. Take a side trip to rediscover
gold country in the legendary and historic gold rush town of Barkerville,
88 kilometres east of Quesnel. Billy Barker found lots of gold here
in 1862, whereupon the town became the largest city north of San Fransisco;
then it became a ghost town; and now it's an exciting place of great
interest to visitors.
Next up is Williams Lake, set in the heart of the Frontier,
amid lakes and rolling ranchland. Williams Lake has been the focal
point and service centre for the ranches of the Cariboo and Chilcotin
regions since the turn of the century, and is home to the famous Williams
Lake Stampede, held in early July.
Welcome
to Hat Creek Ranch |
Check out the 11-metre
Kharu cross-country racing skis, accompanied by a pair of 9-metre
poles, outside the Information Centre in 100 Mile House, the
self-professed International Nordic Skiing Capital. Stop at
the gold rush town of Cache Creek and visit Hat Creek Ranch,
and the 1862 roadhouse that served the teams and passengers of the
B.C. Express Stage Line that travelled the original Cariboo Wagon
Road.
Continue
your journey to Lytton, located where the green waters of the
Thompson
River meet the brown, silt-laden rushing waters of the mighty Fraser
River. Lytton is perhaps best known as the "Rafting Capital of Canada"
- numerous first-class commercial rafting companies guide visitors
through the white waters of these adventurous river routes. Lytton
was also on the path taken by hardy prospectors who made there way
north to the gold fields. Gold rush history and native culture is
evident in the different buildings and activities, such as Remembrance
Day Pow Wow. Definitely a destination of unique and exciting adventures!
Want a closer look at Hell's Gate? Take the airtram for breathtaking
views of the Fraser River as it roars through this famous gorge.
On your way back to Vancouver, visitors will want to spend several
days exploring the lush Fraser Valley. The pretty little town
of Hope holds great appeal for outdoor adventurers. Kawkawa
Lake Provincial Park is nearby, as is Coquihalla Canyon Provincial
Recreation area, and not far away is Manning
Provincial Park, with more lakes and hiking trails. The local
joke here is that no matter which way you are going, the rest of B.C.
is "beyond Hope".
After a hectic day of sightseeing, relax and rejuvenate the soul in
Harrison Hot Springs. Called the "Spa of Canada", Harrison Hot
Springs is a resort town with recreation and health at the forefront.
Complete your circle tour with a stop at Chilliwack, Cultus
Lake, Abbotsford, Langley and Fort Langley.
Towns on or near this Route Click on a town name to learn more
about that town (Clockwise order).
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