South Chilcotins
Leave Whistler and head north, past Pemberton, and start climbing. When the road gets a bit bumpier and the landscape ruggedly beautiful, you’ve reached the edge of the South Chilcotins. From Lillooet’s dramatic mountains and wide rivers, to the remote communities of Bralorne, Gun Creek and Gold Bridge, this is a region that has very few communities, but lakes, rivers, and peaks as far as the eye can see.
What to do in the South Chilcotins
Here, it’s all about the outdoors. People come to the Chilcotins to get away from the frenetic energy of modern life by being active in nature. Whether you’re mountain biking, hiking, fishing, or horseback riding, the landscape invites you out of your comfort zone and into the hills.
South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park is a spectacular landscape featuring grasslands, alpine meadows, lakes, and mountains. Its backcountry terrain is popular with mountain bikers, and multi-day horse-packing trips are also a draw. Tyax Adventures offers single- or multi-day trips into the area on bike, foot, or horseback, with access to more remote areas—including the Bridge Glacier—by floatplane.
In the quasi-ghost town of Bralorne, site of one of the richest gold mines in Canada’s history, the few locals still around enjoy life away from it all. The Bralorne Pioneer Museum celebrates the history of Bralorne and the surrounding communities from May to October.
A true diamond in the rugged terrain around Lillooet, the Fort Berens Estate Winery on the banks of the mighty Fraser River makes well-crafted wines that can be enjoyed with lunch on their patio. The staff is friendly and the views are beautiful.
Where to stay in the South Chilcotins
Tyax Wilderness Resort & Spa is by far the crown jewel. There are three basic hotels in Lillooet, two in Gold Bridge, and one in Bralorne. Camping is easily found throughout the region.
How to get to the South Chilcotins
From Vancouver, travel north on Highway 99, the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Past Pemberton, climb over the Duffey Lake Road to Lillooet. From here, it’s a three-hour drive on Lillooet Pioneer Rd 40 to Gold Bridge. You can also charter a de Havilland Beaver floatplane from Tyax Adventures to take you from Vancouver or Whistler to Tyax Resort.
