The Bella Coola Valley offers hikers the pristine beauty of the rainforest as well as challenging alpine terrain.
An extensive and varied network of community and wilderness hiking trails has been developed and cater to all ages and skillsets. Most trailheads are easily accessible by car.
Though it may not qualify as a "hike," one quick walk in Bella Coola is easy to reach and reveals a truly hidden gem.
Just a five-minute drive west from town, visitors will find the Clayton Falls Recreation Site, home to a very picturesque waterfall. Depending on the season, the falls can have a thundering apron, or gentle cascading rivulets between the "Thousand Faces" – the name given by the Nuxalk people to the smooth, worn rock faces.
To find the falls, follow the gravel road 2km/1.3mi past the government wharf where the pavement ends. There is a BC Hydro hydroelectrical generating plant in front of the trail, and a parking area just west of it. Signs show the gentle path curving around the east side of the fence. About 100m/328ft behind the building, a viewing platform has been built to& allow visitors to safely view the falls. The recreation site area itself also makes for a nice spot for a wander.
Snootli Creek
On a rainy day, the easy stroll through the ancient cedar grove at Snootli Creek Regional Park is a favourite walk for locals. The park, found just off Walker Park Road 10.5km/6.5mi east of Bella Coola townsite, has four distinct pathways that range in length from 200m/656ft to 2km/1mi long. All are rated easy. The dense, interlocking branches of the massive ancient cedars create an almost impermeable forest canopy layer, allowing walkers to stay relatively dry even during periodic rains.
Saloompt Forest Trails
Saloompt offers another short (approximately 45 minutes to one hour) and easy walk through a network of three interpretive trails, parts of which are wheelchair accessible. Wide and hard-packed paths meander through old growth forest along the Bella Coola River. Strategically placed picnic tables make for great lunch spots.
The Saloompt River bridge, located just a few hundred meters past the park, is a great place to watch salmon spawn during August and September. Saloompt Forest Trails are a 20 minute (20km/12mi) drive east of Bella Coola townsite on Highway 20. Turn off the highway onto Saloompt Road (it only turns one way). A few kilometers down, the road crosses over the Bella Coola River and soon forms a Y. Keep to the left and drive another 1.4km/0.75mi) A large sign identifies the trail head beside the parking area.
Medby Rock Lookout Trail
This is a moderate, yet steep, 2km/1.3mi walk and has a spectacular viewpoint looking towards the lower Bella Coola Valley and up the Saloompt River and Nusatsum River valleys. Signage along the trail is limited, so stop in at the Visitor Centre to acquire the Bella Coola Valley Trail Guide which contains good directions.
Other Highlight Hikes
About 50km/31mi east of Bella Coola is Burnt Bridge Loop Trail, also known as Mackenzie Heritage/Grease Trail. On the western boundary of Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park, this trail is an easy to moderate 5km/3mi hike that is well-maintained by BC Parks. Parking is on the south side of Highway 20. An informative kiosk and trail toilets are also located here.
If visitors have access to a four-wheel drive vehicle, former logging roads leading deep into the mountains offer some of the most spectacular alpine hikes in the area. Blue Jay/Gray Jay Trail to the North Bentinck lookout, M Gurr Lake Trail, Odegaard Falls Viewpoint & Trail, and Purgatory Lookout (an ancient glacier) are among some of the hidden secrets of the Bella Coola Valley. Watch for directional signs on Highway 20 for the more popular sites or check with your accommodation's host or the local trail guides.
Hiking Safety
- Although these trails are well-used and relatively safe, visitors are reminded that even the ones close to town are actually in the wilderness, and thus home to grizzly and black bears, as well as cougars.
- Visitors are advised to keep children close by and pets on a leash at all times. Dispose of any food carefully and in bear-proof containers or lock them tight in the car. Do not leave garbage or food from any picnics.
- For information on Safety and Trail Etiquette and Bear and Cougar Awareness, as well as information on popular trails in the Bella Coola Valley visit the Bella Coola community website under our Related Websites links at right.
Read Less