 Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park
The Powell River region stretches along the Pacific Ocean from Saltery Bay in the south to Lund in the north. The area, boasting myriad inlets, islands and lakes as well as the majestic Coast Mountains, is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, who indulge in everything from hiking and rock climbing to kayaking, canoeing and diving.
For those seeking more civilized adventure, the region offers cozy B&Bs and laid-back resorts. Popular destinations include the breathtaking Sunshine Coast Trail, the pristine and remote Powell Forest Canoe Route, Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park, Powell River’s Historic Townsite as well as the coastal community of Lund.
It's impossible to resist the lure of the outdoors in the Powell River region, with its easy access to extensive hiking, biking and horseback-riding trails. Camping options range from full-service RV parks to provincial campgrounds and Forest Service recreation sites. Many hikers journey here for the Sunshine Coast Trail. This 180-km (112-mi) route of towering, old-growth forest, gentle lakes and crashing waterfalls winds from Saltery Bay to Desolation Sound. The 13-km (8-mi) route around Inland Lake, in addition to being fully wheelchair-accessible, offers wonderful wildlife-viewing opportunities.
Recently, Powell River has emerged as a rock-climbing hot spot. The Eldred River Valley in particular, with cliffs rising 600 m (2,000 ft) from the valley floor, provides world-class climbing in a pristine setting.
Golfers will want to tee off at Myrtle Point, an outstanding course designed by Les Furber. Be prepared to share the greens with elk, eagles and deer.
Powell River's Historic Townsite was declared a National Historic District in 1995. The Townsite Heritage Society offers guided walking tours in the summer months. Be sure to tour the Patricia Theatre as well, BC's oldest, continuously operating movie house. You'll also want to visit the Historic Lund Hotel, in Lund.
Powell River has a rich, artistic legacy, as evidenced by its many artists' studios and galleries. Watch for Purple Banners all along the Sunshine Coast. Many local artists of all kinds fly one outside their studio to indicate to the public that they are welcome to come in (sometimes by appointment) to purchase products or browse. There is also a long and vibrant history of the Tla'Amin (Sliammon) First Nation, which is reflected in its artwork and culture, found throughout the Powell River region. Take time to explore Powell River's Historic Townsite, constructed starting in 1910. Now a National Historic District in recognition of the area as a unique example of a well-planned, early 20th century company town, it is remarkably intact, with over 400 original buildings. Lund, a charming coastal village north of Powell River, is the start point for Highway 101, which ends in Chile in South America. Be sure to visit the Historic Lund Hotel, which symbolizes the heart of Lund and the gateway to Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park.
Powell River offers a number of appealing attractions. These include a tour of the Catalyst paper mill, guided walking tours of the Historic Townsite, as well as the Powell River Historical and Forestry museums. The town of Lund, a 20-minute drive north from Powell River, has maintained its charm as a peaceful coastal village. Kids will want to visit the Tla'Amin (Sliammon) Salmon Hatchery, where they can watch salmon swimming upstream to spawn.
Powell River is a thriving, international music centre. It is home to the Symphony Orchestra Academy of the Pacific and the Opera Academy of the Pacific, which bring students to the area from mid-June to early July for intensive courses.
Every even year Powell River hosts Kathaumixw, one of the world's largest, biannual choral festivals. Kathaumixw (pronounced Ka-thou-mew) is a Coast Salish word meaning "a gathering of different peoples."
There are an abundance of provincial and regional parks to choose from in the Powell River area. These include Saltery Bay Provincial Park, a popular swimming area; Myrtle Rocks Regional Park, a haven for seabird watching; Inland Lake Provincial Park, which offers one of the only fully wheelchair-accessible hiking trails in Canada; and the area's crown jewel, Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park. Accessible by air or water only, this spectacular park is internationally renowned for its crystal-clear cruising and kayaking waters as well as numerous islands, bays and coves. Visitors share the area with whales, sea lions, seals, porpoises and dolphins. A 35-minute ferry ride from the mainland brings visitors to Texada Island, an ideal place to cycle or kayak. There are countless wildlife-viewing opportunities throughout the region.
Relax on the patio of the Historic Lund Hotel, taking in glorious views of Lund Harbour. Or try swimming at one of the many beaches near Powell River. You can also take a water taxi or float plane to Savary Island to swim in some of the warmest waters north of Mexico.
As a coastal community, Powell River offers many boating, canoeing, kayaking, diving, fishing and swimming opportunities. The region boasts some of the world's best waters for cold-water diving, with more than 100 unique dive sites. Of particular note is the Emerald Princess, a striking 3-m (9-ft) underwater sculpture anchored off the shore of Saltery Bay.
The eight-lake, five-portage Powell Forest Canoe Route is one of BC's premier routes. The region's marine parks and shorelines also provide an incredible setting for kayaking. Anglers pilgrimage to Powell River for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Guides and charters are available.
A must day trip in the region is to Savary Island. Accessible by floatplane or water taxi from Lund, the tiny island is surrounded by white, sandy beaches and some of the warmest swimming waters north of Mexico.
Thanks to a moderate climate, Powell River is usually snow-free. However, the Knuckleheads Recreation Area, accessible by logging roads southeast of the community, is a haven for winter enthusiasts. Activities include backcountry snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
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