5 places to discover in British Columbia

Canada is a huge country, a great land with a lot of secrets to discover. This far north country is so big that you cannot visit it whole just in a trip; you may probably need more than four trips to be allowed to say you’ve visited Canada. Because there‘re always new places to discover in Canada.

Here are some of those places, not so know to mass tourism.

5 places to discover in British Columbia, near Prince George, Canada:

Ancient Forrest

Often trekking lovers come across really interesting places. When this happens, the word gets around and the Canadian Government shall make them accessible to everyone, making it possible to explore without risking damage to flora and fauna. This is the case of the Ancient Forrest, a very ancient rainforest, which can be reached driving along Highway 16 for 70 miles from Prince George in the direction of Jasper in Alberta.

Thanks to the placing of the surrounding mountains, the proximity of Fraser River and the air currents from the Pacific Ocean, the humid climate that derives from it, has allowed the development of this wonderful forest, rich in mosses, lichens, streams and huge Western Redcedars (Thuja plicata) or Thuja, evergreen trees that can reach 208 foot in height, but also firs (Abies lasiocarpa).

The plants of this forest, give off a sweet scent very reminiscent, in some cases, of caramel. The interior of the Ancient Forrest can be reached easily on foot, by simple paths of the average duration of 1 to 2 hours.

Info: tourismpg.com

Peyto Lake

Certainly less famous Lake Louise, Peyto Lake is one of the most spectacular lakes you will ever see; Lonely Planet guidebook defines it like “one of the most beautiful glacial lakes of the world”; its shape resembles that of a comet, or at least, the comets that we put on Christmas trees. The waters are of a deep turquoise blue, due to the sediment that, during the summer season, with the melting of snow and ice, are deposited on the lake bottom.

The Peyto Lake is located within Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, in Alberta, about 55 miles north of Banf. A very short walk that begins at the side of the Icefields Parkway, will bring you to a panoramic point of strong impact: it will be a surreal vision, guaranteed!

Maligne Canyon

Located just 6 miles east of Jasper, Alberta, Maligne Canyon is the perfect destination to spend a couple of hours walking through creeks and bridges suspended a few inches on the majestic towering waterfalls and rapids. For a perfect shot, it is almost obligatory soaked with water so it passes near the rapids.

The sandstone gorge reaches 55 yards depth and, at the narrowest point, only 2 yards width.

Info: malignecanyon.com

Barkerville

Barkerville, probably the most tourist destination of the 5, is a town of miners founded in 1862 and inhabited until the fifties, home to some cultural and charities organizations.

Once you go through the gates of the city, you find yourself suddenly in the era of “Race to Gold”, of the frontier, of the Wild West.

The houses, the church, the school: everything as still as it was 150 years ago. To make it even more authentic this dream are some extras, who roam around the city with vintage clothes, practising activities of the Old West; even their language is archaic!

You can get in the stores and shops, wandering around the wood shelves and the creaking floorboard. You can taste the famous Maple syrup Fudge, a delicious dessert, made with local ingredients, all natural. You may attend and participate in outdoor games, the same ones that were practised in 800 such as, for example, the launch of a heavy hammer, or enter Chinatown which at that time was famous for laundries.

I recommend you to look for gold with a pan bent over the river like at the time of the gold diggers.

Personally, I just found some straws, but not enough to extend my stay in Canada.

The old cemetery is worth a visit.

Barkerville is located about 52 miles east of Quesnel, a town 75 miles south of Prince George and is open to the public from May to September, during the winter the roads become inaccessible due to heavy snowfalls.

Info barkerville.ca

Twin Falls

West on Highway 16, 3 miles after Smithers, British Columbia, turn to justify following the signs “Road to Lake Kathlyn Glacier Gulch Road”; is recommended an off-road because the road literally ends up in a forest, between stony paths; of a sudden, you are forced to leave the vehicle and walk down a simple path, short (about 20 minutes) suitable for everyone.

The Twin Falls are, as the name suggests, twin waterfalls, really impressive, making their way between the mountain by jumping in the air for 165 yards. The sketches and the steam generated, make this magical place.

If you are not afraid to get wet with the cold water, I recommend you get as close as possible to the Twin Falls to take the best picture at the point of impact between the falling water and the basin below the falls: beware, it’s slippery!

Info: tourismsmithers.com

On the other hand, to the north of Smithers, continuing along Highway 16 in the direction of Moricetown, the road is flanked by the Bulkley River; where Highway 16 crosses the Telkwa High Road, you can see the Natives fishing salmons and climbing the falls and the rapids of the Canyon, upstream. It’s highly recommended to taste the Smoked Salmon and Fried Bread that is often sold on the roadside, prepared strictly according to the tradition of Native Canadians.

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