Great Bear Circle Route

In Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver, board BC Ferries 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 – 40 painted murals in the seaside community of Chemainus. Or venture off to the surrounding area and visit one of the many welcoming wineries and vineyards.

Chemainus | Tourism Vancouver Island/Ben Giesbrecht

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.

Harbour Air Seaplanes

Continue north towards Port Alberni.

A side trip across the island on Highway 4 to Port Alberni offers a variety of discoveries. Wind your way through the ancient Douglas fir trees of Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park, or head west and stay at a wilderness lodge in the seaside villages of Ucluelet or Tofino. While there, experience remote Hot Springs Cove (only accessible by boat or plane), and leave your footprints on Long Beach, the longest stretch of surf-swept sand on Vancouver Island’s west coast.

Cathedral Grove | Graeme Owsianski

Return along Highway 4 to head north on Highway 19A, and relax on 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 join a whale watching tour.

Campbell River Whale Watching Tours | Destination Campbell River/Bluetree Photography

From Port Hardy, board BC Ferries Discovery Coast Connector for the two-stage journey to Bella Coola. Catch a connecting ferry in Bella Bella for the final voyage to Bella Coola; stops along the way may include Shearwater, Klemtu and Ocean Falls. As you ferry north, keep your eyes on the ocean to see whales blowing up spray or sea lions sunning themselves on the small islets and along the rocky shoreline.

Great Bear Sailing Adventures | Cariboo Chilcotin Coast/Jonny Bierman

Drive the celebrated “Freedom Highway” (Hwy 20), named for the determined locals who built the road from Bella Coola to Anahim Lakeon the Chilcotin Plateau. The highway climbs a steep, exhilarating switch-backed route—known locally as “The Hill”—to an elevation of 1,524m/5,000ft. (Note: this road is mostly paved, but there is also a well-maintained gravel section; suitable for all vehicles.) Head from Bella Coola past the rugged Coast Mountains to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. BC’s largest park spans 981,000 hectares/2,452,500 acres, and enchants visitors with volcanic “Rainbow Mountains,” flowering meadows, waterfalls and glacial-capped peaks.

Turner Lake, South Tweedsmuir Provincial Park | Kari Medig

Fly fishing for trout, camping, hiking, canoeing and horseback riding are all popular activities here. Look for mountain goats, caribou, black bears, moose and countless bird species. Charter a floatplane to fly over Turner Lake and view one of North America’s highest waterfalls – Hunlen Falls plunges 253m/850ft over a sheer rock face.

Drive from Tatla Lake to Chilko Lake, along a gravel road for 80 km/45 mi. Go angling for trophy-sized rainbow and bull trout in the turquoise waters of Chilko Lake, the largest, natural, high-elevation freshwater lake in North America.

Chilko River | Yuri Choufour

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 First Nations. From Riske Creek, detour along Farwell Canyon Road (a well maintained gravel road) to see hoodoos at Farwell Canyon and Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park, which is home to more than 500 free-roaming bighorn sheep.

Heading east again on Hwy 20, you’ll find Williams Lake amid rolling ranchlands. Visit the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin and the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame for a dose of cowboy culture. Williams Lake is also a great spot for mountain biking and a launching point for rafting trips on the Chilcotin, Chilko and Fraser rivers. Drive south on the old Cariboo Wagon Road, Hwy 97, to 100 Mile House and see an original stagecoach.

Churn Creek Protected Area | Michael Bednar

Continue beyond to Clinton, where you can jump in the saddle for a real cowboy experience at one of the area’s many guest ranches. Along with delicious home-style cooking and western hospitality, you can ride the range and round up cattle. Or explore the countryside while fishing, hiking, canoeing and river rafting. And remember, from May to September rodeo events in this region are as common as cattle.

Head south towards Pemberton and stop to hike along thickly forested trails that lead to views of hanging glaciers and turquoise-coloured lakes. Complete the circle tour via the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway (Hwy 99).

Sea-to-Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler | Destination BC

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.

Last updated: March, 2023