Coast Cariboo Circle Route
This 7 to 10 day trip crosses the landscape of human cultural endeavour and natural splendour. Your scenic adventure will include coastal villages, hiking amid volcanic mountains, fishing well-stocked lakes, and discovering the Gold Rush Trail. About 1,835 km (1,140 mi), excluding ferry distances.
1 In Tsawwassen, south of
Vancouver, board a
BC Ferry to set off on the coastal leg of your journey. In
Victoria, take time to admire the city's
gardens,
parks,
museums and
beaches before driving north to see the world's largest outdoor art gallery--the 36 painted murals framing the seaside community of
Chemainus. Or venture off to the surrounding area and visit one of the many welcoming
wineries and vineyards. In
Nanaimo, take a heritage tour and stroll along the waterfront or head to
Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park where a shoreline of sandstone cliffs, complete with caves and caverns, awaits your exploration.
2 Take a side trip from the route and drive across the island on Hwy 4 to
Port Alberni which offers a variety of discoveries. Stop to wind your way through the ancient Douglas fir trees of Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park, visit Della Falls (440 m) – the highest waterfall in North America, and take the Lady Rose boat trip through Alberni Inlet to the scenic Broken Group Islands. Or, stay at a wilderness lodge in the famous villages of
Ucluelet or
Tofino. While there, experience Hot Springs Cove – remotely accessed only by boat or plane, and leave your footprints on
Long Beach, the longest stretch of surf swept sand on
Vancouver Island's west coast.
Return along Hwy 4 to head north on Hwy 19A and soak in the sandy beaches of
Parksville – ideal for warm, saltwater swimming, and the stunning shoreline of
Qualicum Beach. Continuing north, cast a line in
Campbell River, the Salmon Capital of the World; the fishing and scenery are spectacular. Stop in
Telegraph Cove, a village raised on stilts, and take a whale watching tour.
3 Board a
BC Ferry in
Port Hardy bound for the ocean inlet of
Bella Coola. Depending on your sailing, stop in remote coastal communities such as McLoughlin Bay, Shearwater,
Klemtu and Ocean Falls for fishing, sea kayaking and visits to Aboriginal sites. As you ferry north, keep your eyes on the ocean to see whales blowing up spray or sea lions sunning themselves on off-shore boulders.
4 Drive the celebrated "Freedom Road" (Hwy 20), so named because determined locals built the road from
Bella Coola to
Anahim Lake on the Chilcotin Plateau. (Note: this road is mostly paved, but there is also a well-maintained gravel section; very steep in places with switchbacks, but suitable for all vehicles). Head from
Bella Coola "through" the rugged Coast Mountains to
Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. BC's largest park spans 981,000 hectares (2,452,500 acres), which entrances visitors with volcanic Rainbow Mountains, flowering meadows, glacial-capped peaks and waterfalls. Your journey includes a drive up a steep, exhilarating switch-backed road known locally as "The Hill" to Heckman pass which rises 1,524 metres (5,000 ft) above the sea.
Fly-fishing for trout, camping, hiking, canoeing and horseback riding are all popular activities here. Look out for mountain goat, caribou, black bear, moose and countless bird species. Charter a float plane to fly over Turner Lake and view one of North America's highest waterfalls – Hunlen Falls plunges 253 metres (850 ft) over a sheer rock face.
5 Tatla Lake is the gateway to Chilko Lake, along a gravel road for 80 km (45 mi). Angle for trophy-sized rainbow and bull trout in the turquoise waters of Chilko Lake, the largest natural, high-elevation freshwater lake in North America.
Stop near Alexis Creek, named after Chief Alexis of the Chilcotin tribe, at Bull Canyon and Battle Rock. Here, the Chilcotin defended their lands in fierce battles with the Shuswap and Bella Coola nations. From Riske Creek, detour along Farwell Canyon Road (well maintained gravel road) to see the hoodoos at Farwell Canyon and Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park, home to more than 500 free-roaming Bighorn Sheep.
6 Heading east again on Hwy 20, you'll find
Williams Lake amid rolling ranchland. Williams Lake is home to the
Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin and the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame. A great spot for mountain biking and a jumping off spot for rafting trips on the Chilcotin, Chilko and Fraser rivers. Drive south on the old Cariboo Waggon Road, Hwy 97, to
100 Mile House and see the original Barnard Express BX stagecoach. Continue beyond to
Clinton where you can jump in the saddle for a real cowboy experience at one of the town's many guest ranches. Along with enjoying delicious home-style cooking and western hospitality, you can ride the range and round up cattle. Or explore the countryside by fishing, hiking, canoeing and river rafting. And remember, from May to September rodeo events on the Cariboo Coast are as common as cattle.
7 Heading south towards
Pemberton, stop at Joffre Provincial Park where hanging glaciers crown three turquoise-coloured lakes. Complete the circle tour via the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway. From the mountain encircled village of
Whistler, travel through narrow valleys with mountain glaciers visible in the distance alongside Howe Sound. The Sea to Sky Highway turns a final corner and the mountains give way to a spectacular view of
Vancouver – arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Please note: This route itinerary is only a suggestion. You can begin your journey from any point along the route.