Bella Coola Mountain, Albert Normandin photo
Tweedsmuir Park , and set within a lush valley and between stunning mountain ranges. Fishing , hiking , bear and wildlife watching opportunities abound here, as does the chance to learn more about the Nuxalk and the history and heritage of the Bella Coola Valley. Townsite and Accommodations While the population of the whole Bella Coola Valley totals 1900, just 135 people actually live in the village that gave the valley its name. Bella Coola is a tight-knit open-hearted community where locals look you in the eye as you drive by – and then wave. (It's okay to wave back!)Despite its small size, the community is a full and active one. The tiny village boasts a thriving commercial centre, cultural and historic sites, government buildings, a gas/service station, a small hospital and tourist services. A variety of accommodations including lodges, B&Bs and hotels can be found within and near the village centre.
Things to Do in Bella Coola Because of its proximity to
Tweedsmuir Park , rain- and old-growth forests, rivers and Grizzly and Black bear habitats, Bella Coola offers a wide variety of recreational activities and adventure tours. While river and ocean sport fishermen have long been attracted to the rich waterways, the valley is rapidly becoming a hiking destination as well. Heli-skiing and heli-hiking opportunities appeal to extreme adventurers and wildlife and bear viewing, mountain biking and 4x4 options are also available. Private boats of all sizes can moor in Bella Coola and BC Ferries regularly travels the Discovery Coast Passage (which runs from
Port Hardy on
Vancouver Island to Bella Coola, between June and September.
The Bella Coola Valley also provides a natural backdrop for adventure films. Several heli-skiing documentaries have been shot here, and in 2007, the production team behind the Hollywood movie The Hulk 2, also filmed segments.
Find out more about things to do in Bella Coola
Aboriginal and Cultural History and Heritage A portion of the First Nation Nuxalkmc's (pronounced
Noo-hawk-mic ) reserve can be found on east side of the village. Here, visitors will find the Band Office, as well as significant cultural landmarks. Less than 800 of the approximately 1500 people of the Nuxalk tribe live on their home reservation. The people here are descendents of the very same people who lived in the community that Alexander Mackenzie dubbed "the friendly village" at the end of his epic, overland journey.
A few minutes east of Bella Coola village along Highway 20 is the Nuxalk community of 4 Mile. The 4 Mile school is close to the highway and is a three-dimensional work of art styled after the traditional long house. Beautiful totem poles stand sentry in front. Also within this community are several art galleries and the entrance to the expansive petroglyph site, which has ancient rock carvings depicting cultural and mythical beliefs embedded in the Nuxalk culture.
Hagensborg Hagensborg is located a quick, 10-minute drive (14 km/9.3 miles) east of Bella Coola, and is home to many descendants of the original Norwegian families that settled the Valley in 1893. Today visitors can see the Augsburg Church and the Norwegian Heritage House, built in those first few years of homesteading. A large grocery store, known locally as Hagensborg Mercantile, offers a wide range of food, hardware and great fishing supplies.
Learn more about the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast .