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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'
largest vessel, the Queen of the North, 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.
Service aboard the Queen of the North includes
a dining room with a full buffet, a licenced lounge, a
cafeteria, cabins, a children's playroom, public showers,
and a video arcade. Reservations for a vehicle are a must,
as this route is extremely popular with travellers in
summer.
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 the community. (Names are displayed
in order as encountered in a clockwise circuit of the
route).
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