July 21, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Bella Coola, Sightseeing Tours
The only word to describe the adventure of driving down 'The Hill' is EXTREME! This intense drive is the hardest section of Highway 20, and the steepest drive I have ever encountered. With a steep slope to the valley below on one side and the massive rock cliff towering on the other this dirt packed road reaches hill grades of over 18% and it an adventure all the way down! This
Freedom Highway was built by the community of Bella Coola in 1953 and officially opened up this port community to the rest of the province. As we drove, very slowly, down The Hill into the Bella Coola Valley I was aww-struck by the beauty of this vast valley and breath-taking view, I honestly could not stop taking pictures! Although for some, the drive is filled with terrifying moments where the van got close to the edge, I can assure you that the drive is safer than it sounds. At only a few moments during the decend was there not enough room for passing vehicles...good thing there are very few cars on the road. I highly recommend this drive to any adventurer traveller seeking the joys of the Bella Coola Valley.