The province of British Columbia in Canada is a should place to journey. Identified for its rugged shoreline, beautiful forests, outside hikes, and trails, British Columbia is a province that may by no means disappoint.
As well as, we even have to say the small cities, large cities, and island locations which are additionally stunning and distinctive. As somebody who has grown up in BC, I’ll checklist the very best issues to do in British Columbia and probably the most stunning locations there so that you can uncover.
Nationwide and Provincial Parks in British Columbia
These are all the attractive nationwide and provincial parks in British Columbia that many deem stunning. Bear in mind to go away no hint behind; choose up every part you carry, together with your rubbish.
Earlier than visiting nationwide or provincial parks, it’s essential to pay any charges, passes, and reservations.
Garibaldi Provincial Park
Garibaldi Provincial Park, additionally referred to as Garibaldi Park, is barely 70 km (43 miles) North of the principle metropolis of Vancouver. Garibaldi Park is without doubt one of the most stunning climbing areas closest to the town.
Lovely snow-capped peaks and blankets of snow through the winter, pockets of snow keep nearly year-round, and luxurious vegetation grows between rocks and the mountainsides in the summertime.
There are well-liked hikes and backcountry campgrounds when you are in Garibaldi Park. However as a observe, they’re thought of intermediate to troublesome hikes that may take a day or two days to finish.
The 18-kilometer (11.3 miles) is the preferred out-and-back path, which takes roughly six hours to finish to Garibaldi Lake. The Black Tusk is one other well-liked hike with substantial elevation beneficial properties. The 27 kilometers hike will take about eight to 12 hours to finish, and it’s best to camp in between.
Joffre Lake Provincial Park
One other hike round two hours and 40 minutes away from Vancouver is Joffre Lake Provincial Park. It’s one other well-liked climbing spot highlighting three lakes, Decrease, Center, and Higher Joffre Lakes.
You possibly can count on to see blue-turquoise water, ice fields, speeding glacier streams, and jagged peaks. It’s no marvel why many individuals like to discover the attractive park.
The reasonable 9.5-kilometer (5.9 miles) round-trip hike will take round three and a half hours to 4 and a half hours to finish, that’s, with out stops in between.
Glacier Nationwide Park (Canada)
If you’re considering of Glacier Nationwide Park in Montana, no, it isn’t that one however the one in Canada! The Glacier Nationwide Park, Canada, is positioned inside the Rocky Mountains, roughly an hour and 40 minutes from the British Columbia and Alberta province border and 6 hours and 40 minutes from Vancouver.
The attractive alpine surroundings with historical forests and deep valleys is open year-round for anybody serious about exploring the backcountry.
Yoho Nationwide Park of Canada
One other nationwide park close to the British Columbia and Alberta province border positioned inside the Rocky Mountains is the Yoho Nationwide Park of Canada.
This nationwide park is exclusive as a result of it’s dwelling to one of many world’s richest deposits of Burgess Shale fossils which are amazingly detailed and greater than half a billion years previous. Additionally, you need to marvel on the unbelievable views of the Rocky Mountains.
Wells Grey Provincial Park
In Clearwater, British Columbia, Wells Grey Provincial Park is one other location within the Rocky Mountains. The provincial park is called “Canada’s Waterfall Park” due to the 41 named waterfalls contained in the park.
A number of the high waterfalls within the provincial park are Helmcken Falls, Spahats Creek Falls, and Dawson Falls.
As well as, there are different outside actions to do, akin to canoeing on Clearwater and Azure Lake, whitewater rafting, or climbing the Trophy Mountain flower meadow, which solely blooms twice a yr.
Nice Bear Rainforest
The Nice Bear Rainforest is without doubt one of the most stunning areas alongside the coast. It stretches alongside the northern and central coast of British Columbia, protecting over six million hectares (16 million acres) of land.
Exploring the quarter of the world’s temperate rainforest is dwelling to cedar and spruce bushes over hundreds of years previous. It’s also dwelling to the Kermode, or the “Spirit Bear,” a black bear with all-white fur.
The best solution to entry Nice Bear Rainforest is thru Bella Coola by automobile (driving alongside Freeway 20 from Williams Lake), flying on scheduled flights from Vancouver, or departing from Northern Vancouver Island by boat on every day excursions.
Pacific Rim Nationwide Park Reserve
The 511 sq. kilometers (197 sq. miles) nationwide park is on Vancouver Island. The Pacific Rim Nationwide Park Reserve is separated into three areas: Lengthy Seashore, Damaged Group Islands, and the West Coast Path.
The nationwide park has many seashores, rugged mountains, and coastal hikes value testing. It’s also dwelling to small cities akin to Port Alberni, Port Renfrew, and two different areas that will likely be talked about additional on this weblog submit.
Cities, Cities, and Islands
Now that now we have coated probably the most stunning nationwide and provincial parks, we’ll transfer on to probably the most stunning cities, cities, and islands in British Columbia.
Haida Gwaii
On British Columbia’s west coast, the archipelago island of Haida Gwaii is wealthy with wildlife, lush inexperienced vegetation, and tranquillity. The distant island is a part of the Haida Nation, and guests are strongly inspired to take the Haida Gwaii Pledge and discover ways to go to the island respectfully.
Different actions on Haida Gwaii embrace the Haida Gwaii Museum, Gin Okayuyaas – Haida Artwork Studio & Presents, and the North Seashore Surf Store, which has all of your outside water actions like surfboards, stand-up-paddle boards, boogie boards, and extra.
Southern Gulf Islands
The Southern Gulf Islands are between the coast of British Columbia and Vancouver Island alongside the Strait of Georgia. They’re all stunning and identified to have beautiful rugged coastlines and seashores and luxurious inexperienced climbing trails.
Whereas there are a whole bunch of small inlets which are part of the Southern Gulf Islands, there are solely a handful which are populated.
Mayne, Pender, Saturna, and Gabriola Islands are the opposite stunning islands folks reside on or wish to discover. Nevertheless, there are two islands that acquire probably the most foot site visitors of individuals visiting.
Salt Spring Island is the biggest and most populated Southern Gulf Island. Yr-round, folks love to go to the island to concentrate on their well being and wellness, agriculture, the artisan group, and environmental sustainability.
As well as, the island itself has stunning surroundings, pure areas, and beautiful coastlines. Actions like kayaking, paddle boarding, biking, and extra, may help you see the island from totally different views.
The lengthy and slim island of Galiano is thought for its wild west coast seashores, with many entry factors to nearly all of them. There are lots of climbing spots with beautiful viewpoints, wildlife such because the native Black Tail Deer, and residential to a whole bunch of chook species.
Sunshine Coast
The attractive Sunshine Coast covers 180 kilometers of British Columbia’s coast (112 miles). There are hectares of forest and what looks like infinite coastlines. It’s a location the place many small cities and communities in British Columbia are solely accessible by float airplane, ferry, or boat.
Whereas the Sunshine Coast is an attractive location, listed below are a few cities to take a look at whereas exploring the Sunshine Coast.
Gibsons is the gateway to the Sunshine Coast, as it’s the first main city you’ll come throughout. It’s a stunning location, and the waterfront is barely minutes away.
The picturesque coastal city can also be a well-known location in Canada. From the Nineteen Seventies to the Nineties, the city’s background was the setting for the favourite Canadian comedy-drama tv present, The Beachcombers.
Surrounded by the forest and shoreline, Sechelt is a great spot for adventure-goers exploring the colourful artwork scene and year-round actions.
Tofino
Probably the most talked about areas that any native, together with myself, brings up when visiting Vancouver Island is visiting Tofino. It’s also a coastal city within the Pacific Rim Nationwide Park Reserve and total one of many greatest locations to go to in British Columbia.
Tofino is called the surf capital of Canada, and rightfully so, as many surf fans from around the globe journey to Tofino to expertise the massive swells that nature creates.
Whereas the city isn’t solely well-known for browsing however for its beautiful seashores too, akin to Lengthy Seashore, which stretches roughly 16 kilometers (9.9 miles), or Cox Bay Seashore and Chesterman Seashore, the place you may watch the very best storms unfold on the coast.
Ucluelet
Generally Ucluelet is overshadowed by Tofino. Though Ucluelet is barely a 30-minute drive from Tofino, the small coastal city has its personal magnificence and allure.
Whereas a part of the Pacific Rim Nationwide Park Reserve, you may count on Ucluelet to have related breathtaking views of its sister city. Ucluelet has a laid-back surroundings, extra trails and hikes within the surrounding space, and extra rugged black rock shoreline cliffs.
If you’re in search of stunning spots in Ucluelet, I like to recommend testing Huge Seashore throughout sundown; it’s a beautiful photo-op location.
Or the Wild Pacific Path, also called the Lighthouse Loop, the place the Amphitrite Level Lighthouse is positioned, and luxuriate in a unbelievable stroll alongside the coast and into the forest.
Victoria
Victoria is the capital of British Columbia. Whilst you might imagine, is Victoria value visiting? Sure, it’s! The downtown core of Victoria is taken into account stunning due to the Victorian structure, heritage allure just like the Fairmont Empress Resort, and sundown views of the Inside Harbour. And there are such a lot of issues to do in Victoria that may be a giant mistake to not embrace it in your itinerary!
There are different areas exterior the downtown core the place you will be immersed in greenery, such because the Victoria Butchart Gardens or Thetis Lake Regional Park.
It’s no marvel that Victoria was voted because the 2nd most stunning small metropolis in 2022 by Condé Nast.
Prince Rupert
The port metropolis of Prince Rupert was way back often called the Halibut Capital of the World. There is a wonderful mix of rural and concrete experiences and sights, whether or not within the wilderness or the ocean in Prince Rupert.
Many excursions gives you a more in-depth have a look at the wildlife round Prince Rupert. Whether or not seasonal or year-round, akin to grizzly bears within the Khutzeymateen Valley or whale watching excursions, you can be captivated by these majestic mammals.
Kootenay Area
The Kootenay area is stuffed with stunning small mountain cities and outside adventures. Many search backcountry adventures like mountain biking, whereas others like exploring snowy peaks, pristine lakes, and waterfalls.
These are a few probably the most stunning locations within the Kootenay area.
Revelstoke is a well-liked and delightful cease when folks journey from British Columbia to Calgary, Alberta. There may be additionally considerable wildlife that chooses Revelstoke as their dwelling due to the wealthy ecosystem of hemlock and cedar tree, and in reality that it is usually an inland temperate rainforest, a biome thought of one of many rarest on the planet.
In the case of winter, many individuals like to trek to Revelstoke for winter actions akin to snowboarding, nordic snowboarding, heli-skiing, and extra. In the summertime, The Pipe Mountain Coaster, mountain biking, climbing, and extra.
Nelson
Nestled within the Selkirk Mountains, often called “The Queen Metropolis” and one in every of Canada’s gems, is Nelson, British Columbia. Nelson has over 350 heritage buildings within the metropolis, gaining the status of one of many most interesting heritage cities in Canada.
Whereas there are numerous strolling excursions to discover and broaden your data concerning the heritage city, there are additionally many different outside leisure actions year-round, akin to fishing, caving, and backcountry snowboarding.
Okanagan Valley
Whereas British Columbia has over 900 vineyards, the Okanagan Valley, also called the wine area of British Columbia, contributes to producing the second most quantity of wine in Canada.
The Okanagan is assessed as a semi-arid desert, and it’s the solely subcategory distinctive biome that exists in Canada. There are lots of cities and vineyards in nearly each route you flip within the Okanagan.
The Okanagan Valley is a well-liked wine area and lots of locals love to go to, sometimes in the summertime or winter; folks often called snowbirds – a bunch of vacationers that journey to remain in hotter climates throughout winter months.
Though many kinds of grapes are being grown throughout the province, probably the most planted crimson and white grapes that British Columbia produces are for Merlots and Pinot Gris. If you’re a wine connoisseur, love consuming wine, or in search of someplace to chill out, it’s best to take a look at these locations within the Okanagan Valley.
Kelowna is without doubt one of the largest cities within the Okanagan. It’s located on the jap shores of Okanagan Lake and is surrounded by vineyards, orchards, and pine forests. Additionally, it has extra outside leisure issues to do through the winter.
If you’re in search of someplace to remain within the Okanagan, Kelowna would have probably the most choices for locations to remain. Nevertheless, it will likely be a lot busier.
Penticton is one in every of my favourite areas within the Okanagan as a result of it’s the place my household travels probably the most. It’s smaller than Kelowna however a well-liked location with a rising group. There are lots of close by vineyards and orchards the place you may choose recent fruit in the summertime.
Located between Skaha and Okanagan Lake, the canal connects the 2 lakes the place you may trip internal tubes from one finish to the opposite.
If you’re in search of wineries, Naramata, 20 minutes from Penticton, has many award-winning wineries.
One other location that additionally has a particular place in my coronary heart is Osoyoos. It’s a lot quieter than Penticton and surrounded by vineyards and Osoyoos Lake. If you’re in search of extra of a desert surrounding, Osoyoos is far more desert-looking than Kelowna and Penticton.
Now in case you are a wine connoisseur, it’s essential to take a look at Oliver. Whereas Oliver is a small city, some could contemplate Oliver the “wine capital of Canada.” Nonetheless, I feel it’s the “wine capital of British Columbia” as a result of Ontario produces extra wine. Nevertheless, regardless of that debate, Oliver has many award-winning wineries, such because the Burrowing Owl Property Vineyard.
Whistler
Whistler is roughly an hour and 45-minute drive from Vancouver. It’s a world-renowned ski resort – an awesome option to spend a full winter season there! – that has many home and worldwide guests year-round. Surrounded by ski mountains and forests, the summer season months entice many mountain bikers when the snow melts.
Not solely is Whistler stunning, however the drive to Whistler alongside the Sea to Sky Freeway additionally contributes to Whistler’s magnificence. It was voted the most effective scenic routes in Canada.
Vancouver
Final however not least, Vancouver. Simply probably the most, if not probably the most, stunning metropolis in Canada because of the metropolis’s pure environment between the ocean and the mountains, excellent for climbing!
Vancouver blends city and nature seamlessly to the place yow will discover native parks in the course of the town like Queen Elizabeth Park or a park alongside the waterfront like Stanely Park.
You’re additionally not removed from exploring the mountains of Cypress, Grouse, and Seymour — or provincial parks akin to Golden Ears Provincial Park. Nearly all over the place you go, you may at all times count on stunning views from Vancouver.
You’ll want to plan your journey accordingly, as visiting Vancouver through the fall season is very really helpful for day journeys.
Wildfire Assertion From A Native
Dealing with wildfires has been probably the most difficult occasion many British Columbians have to deal with, particularly in rural areas. Wildfire exercise has grown immensely lately as a consequence of local weather change (and irresponsible folks contribute a small share).
If you happen to plan to go to any of those areas in British Columbia or anyplace in British Columbia, please put out your campfires correctly, throw your cigarette butts within the correct disposal bins, hearken to when campfire bans are put into regulation, and report a wildfire for those who see one. Thanks.
Conclusion
As you may see, British Columbia has many stunning areas all through the province. Whether or not you’re in search of beautiful hikes, scenic highway journeys, sipping wine by the lake, or exploring a coastal city, British Columbia is a spot the place you may benefit from the nice outdoor irrespective of the place you go to.
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Kelena is a curious Canadian journey blogger who loves exploring her yard and touring to different international locations worldwide. Sharing her experiences and particulars for others to take pleasure in is what she likes to do by her writing at writtenbykel.com.
