No other place can compete against wilderness adventures in British Columbia. Whether you're looking for the most wicked landscapes to climb, show-shoe traverses, or landscapes to admire, BC has you covered.
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Endless opportunities exist for adventurous travelers to get lost in British Columbia. Our local adventurer, Nomad Jase gives us his top picks to help inspire your next trip:
- Water Adventures in British Columbia
- Finding Off-the-beaten-track Hiking Trails in British Columbia
- Road-tripping Around British Columbia
- Climbing and Mountaineering in British Columbia
- Make the Most of Winter Activities in BC
- Kootenay National Park
- Yoho National Park
Water Adventures in British Columbia
Go rafting on the Elaho River in Squamish/Whistler, the Kicking Horse River near Golden, the Thompson River in Lytton, and the Clearwater River in Wells Grey Provincial Park.
These are all guided day-trips,
You can surf in Tofino, canoe the legendary Bowron Lake circuit, learn how to
Finding Off-the-beaten-track Hiking Trails in British Columbia
Looking for quieter trails? Hiking both Lake Lovely Water or Echo Lake near Squamish will require river crossings, and are quite strenuous. It’s a good idea to do these as overnight trips, which means you’ll need to pack all the right gear.
The hike up to Panorama Ridge will take 11 hours, as will the scramble up to Black Tusk. Both of these difficult hikes will reward you with unreal views of Garibaldi Lake below. There are designated camping areas available along the trail for overnight stays.
In Bugaboo Provincial Park, take the drive up the logging roads to where the tradition of
Road-tripping Around British Columbia
If you really want to see the best of British Columbia, start by renting a truck to drive yourself around. Check out Tumbler Ridge, where you should go hiking in Monkman Park or take a jet boat up to Kinuseo Falls, then continue onto the Alaska Highway.
Driving along the Stewart Cassiar highway is adventurous and remote, but there are a few awesome places to pop in along the way: Check out Hell’s Gate on the Fraser
Take a BC Ferry from Port Hardy to Bella Coola and step into the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest – don’t forget to stop in at Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, close to the community of Bella Coola!
It's possible to do a ‘Grizzly Safari’ near Bella
Or, go mountain biking in the Elk Valley near Fernie, explore the Chilcotin by horseback, or go fly fishing on the Skeena River.
Climbing and Mountaineering in British Columbia
If those hikes weren’t enough for you, and you’re still itching to explore your boundaries, here are a few more extreme ideas. It’s important to note for these routes that unless you are a climber, you will need a guide, and be sure yours is licensed by the ACMG.
Scramble up the North-East Ridge of Mt. Sir Donald – one of the 50 most classic climbs in North America. Climb up the West Ridge of Pidgeon Spire in the Bugaboo’s, for mind-blowing views. Or head to the summit of Mt. Assiniboine, Canada’s Matterhorn, with a certified guide.
World Nomads Travel Insurance doesn’t cover this activity, but don’t let that stop you – just be aware of the risks that come with climbing mountains.
Make the Most of Winter Activities in BC
Looking for other winter adventures aside from the obvious choice of skiing or snowboarding? You can do snowmobile tours in Revelstoke, Golden, Whistler, or Fernie.
Plus, there are many great snowshoe trips in Garibaldi Park, go to the Elfin Lake Hut, do the Garibaldi Neve
Kootenay National Park
Check out Marble Canyon, or do a multi-day hike to catch views of Mt. Assiniboine from the incredible Sunburst Lake. Kootenay National Park is undoubtedly one of Canada’s most scenic parks, so be sure to stop by for a few days.
Yoho National Park
This park is home to some of Canada’s most dramatic scenery. You can canoe on Emerald Lake, check out Wapta Falls and Takakkaw Falls, or hike to the Yukness Ledges trail for views of Lake O’Hara.
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