Hiking
Two hikers admiring the views (Picture BC photo)
Burns Lake aims to have one of the best recreational trail networks in Northern British Columbia. Hiking is a main activity on these trails, along with mountain biking.
Boer Mountain
Boer Mountain, just a few minutes drive north of downtown, is a well-mapped and easily accessible area popular with mountain bikers. The locale, however, is also a fantastic hiking destination with several trails of varying lengths to choose from.
Hikers can explore the clearly marked mountain biking trails, which encircle a small lake as well as picturesque wetlands. Or they can choose to head farther into the wilderness. Two popular routes are those heading to Star Lake and Kager Lakes.
If heading into this area, pick up the hand out – Trails in the Burns Lake Area Map and Burns Lake Bike Park – from the Burns Lake Visitor Centre on Hwy 16.
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Cheslatta Falls
Another popular but quite steep hike leads to the top of Cheslatta Falls, on the southside of Francois Lake close to the ferry terminal. It takes less than an hour, including the ferry ride across Francois Lake, to get to the trailhead from the northside. The path is 2.4km/1.5mi round-trip, clearly marked, and takes about 2 hours to complete. The trip is worth the roaring view at the summit.
More Trails
Many other trails can be found in and around Burns Lake. Starting from downtown, the easy Rod Reid Nature Trail begins at the Visitor Centre on Hwy 16, and leads to Loch Lomond. The Loch is more commonly known as the Beaver Pond because of a large beaver den still visible at its mouth.
Hikers looking for multi-day excursions can head out to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park south of town, or Ethel F. Wilson Provincial Park north of town. Most of the longer trails around Burns Lake have campsites along the way or at their end point.
For more information about hiking in the area stop by the Burns Lake Visitor Centre, downtown on Hwy 16.
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Things To Do
Outdoor Activities