From the earliest First Nations inhabitants to the area's more recent settlers, people of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast have left an indelible mark on the landscape.
Petroglyphs found in Thorsen Creek Valley provide a rare glimpse into the art, life and history of BC's Aboriginal peoples. Take a guided tour through some 40 of these ancient First Nations rock carvings. You'll also want to visit the Xats'ull Heritage Village in Soda Creek to see petroglyphs, as well as visit a sweat lodge and get a taste of the traditional Shuswap way of life.
The dramatic landscape of BC's central coast attracted a group of Norwegian settlers who established the community of Hagensborg in 1894. Today, you can visit a turn-of-the-century Norwegian home and view how these people lived.
Thorsen Creek Valley
Petroglyphs provide a glimpse into the lives of Aboriginal peoples. For BC's First Nations cultures, these ancient rock carvings are also an intrinsic link to the past. More of these extraordinary symbols have been recorded in BC than in any other Canadian province. Locations for petroglyphs were places honouring the power and mystery of nature. Many sites are found near waterfalls, rock formations or caves; almost all sites are near water.
Just outside the village of Bella Coola you'll find the Thorsen Creek Petroglyphs, consisting of over 40 rock carvings. To visit the site, contact the Nuxalk First Nations or enquire at the local tourism office to arrange a guided tour.
Xats'ull Heritage Village
The Shuswap Nation occupied the bench lands north of Williams Lake for more than 5,000 years before fortune-seeking prospectors arrived in this area. A day trip to the Xats'ull Heritage Village includes a tour of the village complete with commentary on the Xats'ull people and interpretation of their ancient petroglyphs. Overnight stays in authentic teepees or pit houses are also available.
Hagensborg
Making their way from Minnesota to the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, a group of Norwegian settlers established the community of Hagensborg in 1894. Today, you can see living testaments to their love of the BC central coast landscape. Sons of Norway Heritage House, built by Norwegian settler Andrew Svisdahl at the turn of the century, is a fully preserved Norwegian period home. Tours can be arranged in summer months.
There are hikes on interpretive trails through old-growth forests nearby as well as The Snootli Creek Hatchery, which raises chinook, chum and steelhead for release into local rivers.
Hagensborg is located along Highway 20, a 15-minute drive east from Bella Coola.