Discover a world of natural wonders hiking in Northern BC, from a trek in the outback to a leisurely stroll along well-marked trails. Babine Mountains Provincial Park is known for its hiking trails with glacier-fed lakes and sub-alpine meadows. Monkman Provincial Park boasts a series of ten rapid waterfalls and the must-see Kinuseo Falls.
Northern BC offers up a number of truly unique guided walking and hiking experiences. In Tumbler Ridge, take an evening tour to view dinosaur footprints and trackways under the glow of lantern light. Visitors to Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Provincial Park can sign up for a guided hike to one of Canada's most recent volcanic eruption sites. Or consider lightening your load on a guided llama trek into the heart of the Northern Rockies wilderness.
Learn more about Easy, Intermediate and Advanced Hiking Trails:
Getting to the Hiking Trails
While Greyhound buses service a number of parks and communities along highways 16 and 97, having a vehicle will allow you to cover Northern BC's vast distances with maximum flexibility. Most of the region's "must-do" hiking trails are situated in provincial parks. Many are road-accessible and well-marked by highway signs, but others are fly-in only. Local bookstores offer an array of books for the self-guided traveler. Trail maps are available from community Visitor Centres and many park entrances.
Hike Amidst NBC's Wildlife
Migrating seals and whales can be viewed from the shores of the Queen Charlotte Islands and wildlife sightings are also common in Stone Mountain Provincial Park and Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park. Naikoon Provincial Park is known for its broad, sandy beaches and the intriguing Pesuta Shipwreck Trail. The fish are jumping in many of the region's lakes, so don't forget to pack your rod.
Practical Points and Hiking Safety
Northern BC is home to the province's most rugged and remote wilderness areas. Remember the following:
- Proper planning, preparation, clothing and footwear appropriate to the conditions, and an adequate water and food supply are essential.
- Leave word with friends or family that you'll be exploring backcountry, as well as an approximate time of return.
- While summer doesn't last long, the days are extremely long. On the summer solstice (June 21), the sun rises in Fort Nelson – one of BC's northernmost communities – at 3:58am and sets at 10:25pm.
- Weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains. Dress in layers.
- Bring long and short-sleeved t-shirts, micro-fleece sweaters, shorts, trousers, light down vests, wind jackets and rain gear.
- Keep a layer between you and the pesky mosquitoes which can be a nuisance anytime except mid-winter.
- Bring wet-weather gear, no matter what season.
- Wear hiking boots with good ankle and arch support and be prepared to get muddy.
- Please leave the area you visit undisturbed and be sure to carry out your garbage.
- Be aware that cougars, bears and other wildlife inhabit the region. Do not get too close to or attempt to feed wild animals.
Choose a Trail
Easy
Naikoon Provincial Park: The Tow Hill Trail offers a pleasant 2km/1.2mi roundtrip ascent with exquisite vistas of the surrounding area
Intermediate
Babine Mountains Provincial Park: The Silver King Basin Trail offers a moderate grade through trees to fragrant sub-alpine meadows.
Monkman Provincial Park: Monkman's Stone Corral Trail leads to fascinating cave formations and limestone cliffs.
Naikoon Provincial Park: A variety of routes, including the river and oceanside trail to the Pesuta shipwreck.
Stone Mountain Provincial Park: Flower Springs Lake Trail is a trek through the flower-strewn valleys of the northern Rocky Mountains.
Advanced
Babine Mountains Provincial Park: Located within the Skeena Mountain Range, Babine Mountains is a land of craggy peaks, glacier-fed lakes and sub-alpine meadows.
Monkman Provincial Park: Experienced hikers can tackle the Monkman Pass Memorial Trail, a spectacular 63km/39mi wilderness adventure, or try a 48km/30mi roundtrip excursion, which ends at Monkman Lake.
Naikoon Provincial Park: The East Beach Route is a five to seven day trek along the beaches of northeastern Graham Island.
Stone Mountain Provincial Park: Your compass skills will be put to the test on the Wokkpash Trail.
Babine Mountains Provincial Park
Hikers of all levels will appreciate the diverse and always scenic trails in this provincial park. Located within the Skeena Mountain Range, Babine Mountains (a 30-minute drive from Smithers) is a land of craggy peaks, glacier-fed lakes and sub-alpine meadows that offers some of the finest hiking opportunities in the region. Many kinds of wildlife such as mountain goats and moose call this 32,400ha/80,062ac park home.
One of the better-known routes in Babine Mountains is the Silver King Basin Trail. A moderate grade through trees gives way to fragrant sub-alpine meadows on this 18km/11mi roundtrip journey. Overnighters might want to get to the Joe L'Orsa Cabin sooner than later, as it's on a first-come, first-served basis for a nominal fee.
- Rated: moderate to difficult
- Approximate time required: six hours
- Best time: July - August
Monkman Provincial Park
Nestled in the Hart Ranges of the Central Rocky Mountains and Foothills, Monkman is a one-hour drive south from Tumbler Ridge, and offers a diverse, inspiring landscape of jagged mountain peaks, old-growth-forested valleys, unique geological formations and crystalline alpine lakes. A highlight of the park is Kinuseo Falls, where a short hike leads visitors to a spectacular view of where the Murray River plunges 60m/200ft over a geological fault to the river bed below.
The Monkman Pass Memorial Trail is an epic wilderness adventure and one of the most spectacular backcountry hikes in British Columbia. Experienced hikers begin this 63km/39mi jouney into the park's backcountry from the Kinuseo Falls Campground. A highlight of the route is the Monkman Cascades – a series of 10 spectacular waterfalls along Monkman Creek that thunder over rock ledges, separated by calm pools.
- Rated: moderate to difficult
- Approximate time required: varies by route
- Best time: June to September
Naikoon Provincial Park
The primary attraction of Naikoon is its broad, sandy beaches. They stretch for approximately 100km/60mi to form the eastern and northern boundaries of this unique and intriguing park located on Graham Island, the largest of the Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii.
Hikers should approach the Pesuta Shipwreck Trail on a low or receding tide to avoid getting stranded. Trekkers can also continue to the base of Rose Spit along the East Beach Route. There's no loop on this 89km/55mi trek, so arrange a ride between the start and end points before starting out. There are two shelters and a number of wilderness camps on the five to seven day journey. Sections of this route can only be traversed at low tide. Hike south to north to avoid prevailing winds and self-register with the Masset or Queen Charlotte City RCMP before departing.
Tow Hill Trail offers a pleasant 2-km/1.2 mile roundtrip ascent. Halfway along the route you can take a side trip to the rocky outcrop known as the Blow Hole.
The Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii are accessed via a seven-hour ferry ride from Prince Rupert. Air service is also available from Vancouver and Prince Rupert.
- Rated: easy to difficult
- Approximate time required: varies by route
- Best time: May to October
- Check tide charts before departing
Stone Mountain Provincial Park
If you're after wildlife viewing, head to Stone Mountain and Northern Rocky Mountains provincial parks. As one of the last tracts of true wilderness located south of the 60th parallel, these adjoining parks are home to multitudes of birds and mammals.
Flower Springs Lake Trail is a 10.2km/6mi roundtrip trek through the flower-strewn valleys of the northern Rocky Mountains. Plan four to five hours for the return trip. If you plan to remain in the area for more than a day, backcountry camping is permitted.
Your compass skills will be put to the test on the Wokkpash Trail, a 71km/44mi trek that should take five to seven days. The trail is almost a complete loop with start and end points along the Alaska Highway.
- Rated: moderate to difficult
- Approximate time required: varies by route
- Best time: July to August
More Hiking Options in Northern BC
Tweedsmuir Park is one of the province's largest, with more than 900,000 hectares of spectacular scenery and dozens of accessible trails. Ootsa-Whitesails Lake reservoir and the Coast Mountains provide incredible views. Red Fern-Keily Provincial Park, located approximately 250 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John, offers several treks with breathtaking views and the chance to spot bears, elk and even wolves or lynx.
About halfway between Prince Rupert and Prince George, the peaceful Bulkley Valley, leads into the Lakes District on the Yellowhead Highway. Francois Lake, Burns Lake and Fraser Lake all feature trails, some taking in extinct volcanos and ancient petroglyphs, drawings made by First Nations people hundreds of years ago on the sides of rocks and cliffs.
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