Hiking opportunities abound in and around Prince George. Beginners can find easy trails for enjoyable walks, while experienced hikers will find more challenging prospects an hour or two away.
Trails in Prince George
The Heritage River Trails network is found along riverbanks and parks throughout the city including Cottonwood Island and Carrie Jane Gray parks. There are also a number of heritage sites noted on the Prince George City website. The 15km/9.3mi Forests for the World Trail, at Cranbrook Hill and Kueng Road next to UNBC, offers an enjoyable walk and educational experience. Trail sites include Shane Lake and a city lookout point. In 2008, the trail closed to remove mountain pine beetle-killed trees. Before hiking this trail, check its status with the Prince George Visitor Centre.
Hike in Provincial Parks
There are many excellent hiking opportunities in provincial parks near Prince George including Bobtail Mountain, Crooked River, Dahl Lake, Eskers, Evanoff, Sugarbowl - Grizzly Den, Three Sisters, and West Lake Provincial Parks. Trails vary in lengths and difficulty. Giscome Portage Trail Protected Area, 40km/24.9mi north of Prince George on Highway 97, near Huble Homestead, offers an interesting 8.5km/5.3mi hike along the designated heritage trail. Named after John Robert Giscome, a miner from Jamaica, the trail was a traditional First Nations route, also used for travel during the gold rush.
The Ancient Forest
The Ancient Forest, 113km/70.2mi east of Prince George on Highway 16, is a truly unique interior BC ecosystem. Surprisingly, this temperate rainforest is found 800km/497mi inland, with towering ancient western red cedars as old as 2000 years. People of all ages and experiences can hike the trail. Parking is available at the trailhead. The 1.4km/0.87mi long Teapot Mountain moderate trail, 50km/31mi north of Prince George on Highway 97, is touted as one of the best day hikes in the central interior. Turn left on Talus Road, and right on the Caine Creek Forest Service Road. Teapot Mountain is a volcanic plug from before the glacial period and unlike many surrounding landforms the hard basaltic rock has barely eroded. The view from the top is a panoramic that takes in Summit Lake.
The 4.8 km Fort George Canyon trail is located 24.5km/15.2mi west of Prince George on Highway 16, 11.3km/7mi along Blackwater Road and left on West Lake Road. This trail is especially interesting because of the area's natural and human history. Imagine the days when explorers and fur traders attempted to paddle, and sternwheelers were pulled, through Fort George Canyon.
Check with the Prince George Visitor Centre for information or pick up its Central Interior Trail Guide for Prince George and the region.