 Lytton Ferry, Karen Massier photo From Hope the distance to Lytton is 108km/67mi; from Cache Creek 193km/120mi, and from Whistler via Lillooet on Hwy 12, 170km/168mi.
Car TravelDriving is the only practical way to explore the Fraser Canyon. A handful of bikers cycle Hwy 1 because with plenty of services en route, it's a safer and less arduous option to reach the Interior than the extremes of the Coquihalla Hwy.
A Route through the Fraser CanyonForging a route through the Fraser Canyon proved to be one of the most difficult highways projects ever under taken in the province, especially the section between Hope and Boston Bar where engineers blasted through canyon rock to create seven tunnels.
Seven TunnelsTraveling north, the first is the Yale Tunnel, 286m/938ft long, located just 1.5km/0.9mi east of Yale. Next come the 146m/479ft long Saddle Rock tunnel, named for the saddle shaped rock in the Fraser River nearby. Sailor Bar (292m/958ft) and the Alexandra (290m/951ft) tunnels are next.
China Bar TunnelJust west of Hell's Gate Airtram are the Hell's Gate and Ferrabee Tunnels, each approx 100m/328ft long. China Bar is the seventh tunnel and takes its name from the gold-bearing sand bar in the Fraser River. Here, hardworking Chinese gleaned a fortune by reworking an area that others believed to be exhausted. At 610m/2,001ft long, China Bar Tunnel is also the longest of the seven.
Air TravelKamloops is the nearest commercial airport and does provide car rentals. Boston Bar has a private airstrip and there's a heli-pad at Hell's Gate, often used by Valley Helicopters out of Hope.
Public TransportationGreyhound Canada operates a daily service through the Fraser Canyon. Formal stops are at Boston Bar, Yale and Lytton though busses will respond to pre-arranged flag-downs such as pick-ups/drop-offs near various rafting outfitters.
Train TravelAlthough the Canyon has a rich railway history, and freight trains pass on both sides of the Fraser River day and night, VIA Rail passenger service is limited to a stop in Boston Bar. Like Hope, stops are in the middle of the night. Trains will respond to pre-arranged flag-downs at selected destinations.
Getting AroundA car is an absolute must; a four-wheel drive is advised if plans include any back-country or forestry roads. There are no taxi services.
MapsThe Visitor Centre at Hope has numerous maps and information guides on the entire area. Lytton Visitor Centre is a terrific resource of Canyon information and brochures. It also operates an historic caboose across the road and a charming Museum next door that's packed with local artifacts and natural treasures. A small public swimming pool is located behind the Visitor Centre – a handy tip if young travelers are feeling the heat.
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