With an area encompassing over half the province, Northern BC offers mountain bikers almost unlimited opportunity to ride unspoiled wilderness, fantastic trails, view wildlife and scenery, and enjoy the friendly atmosphere.
Mountain Biking in Northern BC:
Prince George: offers Scenic trails for all skill levels.
Smithers: Stay close to town or challenge yourself in the mountains.
Terrace: Beautiful scenery and a very friendly biking community await you.
Tumbler Ridge: Sensational scenery and epic, alpine rides.
Mountain Biking Communities
Riders venturing into towns like Terrace, Burns Lake, Smithers and Tumbler Ridge are discovering fast-growing, active and enthusiastic mountain bike communities. The local bike clubs typically build and maintain their own trail networks, and which often feature elaborate jumps, stunts and skills sections. Prince George, the largest city in northern BC, has a growing mountain biking community and an extensive trail network dedicated to both casual and experienced riders.
Bike Rentals:
Bike shops in the larger communities often rent out a couple of bikes, but it's best to phone ahead for availability – or check with your hotel/lodge/accommodation. Rentals are harder to come by on the islands and in more remote communities.
Biking and Wilderness Safety:
- Northern BC's climate can be pretty changeable and although it enjoys remarkably long days during May and June, the weather can be unpredictable and the terrain muddy.
- Be sure to pack warm, layered clothing and rain gear for any long outings.
- As for wildlife that you may encounter on a bike trip, although they may appear friendly and harmless, ALL wild animals are equally unpredictable and can be potentially dangerous. Always keep your distance. Use binoculars or a telephoto lens to get a close-up view. As a general rule, remain at least 100m away from bears, cougars and wolves, and 30 m away from elk, deer, sheep, goats and moose.
- Never make your food available to wildlife.
- Pay attention to animals near the road. Be alert so as to avoid collisions with wildlife, particularly at dawn and dusk, when many animals are most active, and visibility is poor.
- Both bears and cougars, found in most parts of BC, normally avoid confrontation with humans. But be responsible and prepared.
- Although attacks on humans are rare, bears and cougars are wild, powerful and unpredictable. Make these animals aware of your presence by singing, shouting or shaking a tin of pebbles.
- Black and grizzly bears are found in most regions of BC and many can be found in Northern BC during the late-spring and summer months. Respect all bears - they can be dangerous, especially the habituated ones. Never approach a bear; never attempt to feed a bear; never surprise one.
- In the backcountry, food, including packaged snacks and scented products, should be strung high in a tree a good distance from you if you camp. Many popular backcountry parks have bear-resistant food storage facilities. Properly store and pack out all garbage.
Mountain Biking Highlights in Northern British Columbia
Prince George
Prince George has a wonderful network of trails, most of which lead to splendid views of the city, surrounding wilderness, and Fraser and Nechako rivers. The most popular cycling routes include the Otway Nordic Trails, a series of fast, single-track and gravel paths just outside town. They link to the 22-km (13.7 mi) Cranbrook Hill Greenway Trail, which -thanks to numerous access points- allows cyclists to explore the University of Northern BC's network of multi-use trails in the Forests for the World.
The LC Gunn Trail is a meandering rustic route above the banks of the Fraser River, while the 11-km (6.8-mi) Heritage River Trail System is a scenic loop around the city - perfect for the family.
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Smithers
Smithers offers exceptional riding excursions. In and around town, the trail system meanders through alpine country and along pristine rivers. The Perimeter Trail loops the entire town, making for a level and pleasant family ride.
The towering mountains that surround Smithers set the stage for some challenging routes. Intermediate to expert riders can go vertical on the Bluff Trails - 10 technical steeps down Hudson Bay Mountain. For intermediate single track, try the Silver King Basin Trail in Babine Mountains Provincial Park. The 18-km (11-mi) roundtrip takes you through spectacular sub-alpine meadows.
Those riders looking for adventure can find it on the Telkwa Pass Route, a 120-km (75-mi) backcountry bike trek from Telkwa (near Smithers) to Terrace.
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Terrace
As a mountain biking destination, Terrace has really come into its own in recent years. Its trail network currently consists mainly of easy-to-intermediate-level rides but new trails are being developed all the time. The local cycling community is enthusiastic and well organized and, along with the rest of the town, very welcoming to visitors. If you need directions, advice or current information on trail conditions, ask at a local bike shop. Terrace's biking season is packed with events. The Shames Mountain Hill Climb (early May) is an arduous 13-km (8.1-mi) road race straight up the winding road to Shames Mountain Ski Hill. The Red Sand Root Chute (late May) is a long weekend tradition. All Seasons Source for Sports Psycho Cycle (early July) is a multidisciplinary race that starts on the road, requires a hike up Terrace Mountain followed by a technical downhill and a sprint to the finish line. McBike's Eight Hours of Onion Lake, an endurance race, allows people to compete individually or in teams to log the most laps of a 6-km (3.7-mi) course on the Onion Lake Cross Country Ski Trails.
Terrace is located along Highway 16 in the Skeena River Valley. The best weather for biking occurs from May through October.
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Tumbler Ridge
Tumbler Ridge is famous for sensational scenery and epic, alpine rides on old exploration roads. You'll find many trails suitable for mountain biking in its extensive and very diverse hiking trail network. While you're out there, take some time to appreciate the natural beauty of the area, things like waterfalls, caves, unusual rock formations, alpine meadows and the many dinosaur footprints and trackways that have been discovered here recently.
Trails of note include the TR Point Trail (easy), a leisurely ride at the edge of town with a viewpoint overlooking the Murray River Valley; Mt. Spieker (difficult), a steady climb along old exploration roads to the alpine (and spectacular views) followed by a brake-burning downhill; and Core Lodge to Five Cabin Pass (moderate), a ride up to the treeline via an exploration road with views of Roman Mountain. Babcock Mountain/Core Lodge is a very popular recreation area.
Tumbler Ridge is located on Highways 29 and 52, 75 minutes from Chetwynd and 90 minutes from Dawson Creek. Cycling season typically begins in mid-May and runs through October. Bike rentals and trail maps are available.
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