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There is more than one way to make it into the Bella Coola valley, usual and unusual ones... and all can bring you to B&B Nusatsm House! |
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- On foot on what was once known as the Westroad and certainly the most demanding... The Grease Trail (aka Alexander Mackenzie Heritage Trail), on which Alexander Mackenzie journeyed with his party and the help of native guides, leads west from Quesnel to the Bella Coola Valley. It is about a three week trek and few people have hiked the entire length of it. The bugs can be a veritable plague. However, what a sense of achievement at the end!
- Highway 20 offers access for any type of wheeled vehicle. It is a hard surface road from Williams Lake to Anahim Lake, and then again from the western low point of Heckman Pass to Bella Coola. A section of roughly 70 km remains as loose surface or gravel road and it includes that 18 km ramp with grades to 18%. Driving it all the way from Williams Lake into the Bella Coola valley and allowing for stops will make it a drive in excess of five hours.
- You can also fly in from Williams Lake with Sharp Wings and get to see the spectacular Hunlen Falls en route.
- BC Ferries from Port Hardy to Bella Coola sailing the Discovery Coast Passage on the Queen of Chilliwack. Maybe not the most comfortable of vessels, if you choose a long route with a night or two on board, but there are direct sailings covering the stretch in one day. The crew of the vessel is of outstanding hospitality. The boat will detour to let you see killer whale pods, should there be any. It is more a cruise than a simple ferry ride.
With the ferry link it is now possible to drive a circle tour from Vancouver to Vancouver Island and up the coast to the Bella Coola valley, across the Chilcotin into the Cariboo and back to Vancouver or the other way round.
Unfortunately BC Ferries put this sea link in limbo by first threatening a discontinuation of service as of 2003, then after vigorous protests by many stakeholders service for another season, maybe two more seasons was granted. The rout will though be altered - possibly served by a larger vessel which connects oneward or from the Queen Charlotte Islands. Add your voice of protest! Send mail to BC Ferries and the BC Government (see BC Ferries link above.
- Pacific Coastal Airlines offers daily connections between Vancouver and Bella Coola.
At some point you may meet with what’s locally known as the Hill. First of all, no need to panic! If in doubt contact BC Road Reports.
Driving up the approximately 18 km or 11 miles of the gradient (at times 18% but not throughout) seems easier to some travelers than coming down this ramp which links the coastal valley with the interior plateau. It was built 1954 by local intiative!
Of course, the way to descend without stressing your vehicles brakes is by forcing it into a low gear. Read the advice to truckers at the summit! Consider yourself a trucker then for half an hour or more. Experienced drivers may take only 20 minutes given fair driving conditions but we recommend to play it safe and stop well to the side or in bays whenever you think it time to take another picture.
Should you tow a heavy load, let your trailer brakes cool off a couple of times.
Tourist buses and big B-trains (trucks with articulated trailer) which bring for instance our food, come in on that route, in short, Highway 20 is a route fit for any type of vehicle! ...and yes, you may have to give it a wash when you drive the gravel section during or shortly after a rainfall.
Any type of vehicle, by the way, does include bicycles too. Bicyclists get multiple night pricing from the first night at our B&B because they care in special ways for our excellent air quality here!
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