Vancouver Travel Forum

We have been considering driving from Vancouver to Bella Coola and then taking the BC Ferry to Port Hardy, non-stop on a Thursday in August. We just assumed that the scenery enroute would be magnificent. But a recent June 2 posting reply concerning the Prince Rupert to Port Hardy ferry route stated that "The scenery isn't as spectacular along that journey as you may anticipate".

This puzzles me. Is the Bella Coola to Port Hardy route scenery also less than spectacular or what? It's not an inexpensive ferry journey. Should we spend our time and money sightseeing elsewhere?

And what about the drive from Vancouver to Bella Coola via Whistler and Williams Lake? Is this scenic and interesting or just boring sameness (rocks and trees someone said) all the way?

Thanks for your help to all who are familiar with these areas.

Ken

I'm not sure what you will be expecting to see. Yes it is alot of Trees and Rocks along with a good posibilities of Whales and othe Sea Life. The topography is exctly like an Alaska cruise without Glaciers, and the food , booze and entertainment.

The drive will take you through coastal rain Forest and High Plateau experiences. From just outside of Lilloet is almost desert like. Make sure you are very well prepared for the Williams Lake to Bella Coola portion. It can be considered remote. Pack food and drinks.

I really like the Cache Creek and Clinton areas.

The drive from Vancouver to Clinton through Whistler and Pemberton is one of the most scenic drives anywhere with mountains, streams, lakes and every other kind of natural beauty you can think of. The portion between Clinton and Kleena is a little less exciting by my standards (lots of rolling hills and trees). The portion from Kleena to Bella Coola is again pretty spectacular. The entire drive has possibilities of seeing extensive wildlife from moose, deer and elk to bears, badgers and mountain lions. I have never taken the ferry back to Port Hardy but I have travelled the waters between Port Hardy and Vancouver a little and that part has fantastic scenery and I can`t see how the part from Bella Coola to Port Hardy could be much different. Hope you have a great vacation what ever you decide.

Vancouver - Prince Rupert by air

Prince Rupert - Queen Charlotte Island by ferry

Prince Rupert - Alaska by ferry

now that's scenic

<<Is the Bella Coola to Port Hardy route scenery also less than spectacular>>

No, the Coast Discovery route is *somewhat* different and passes through the most scenic part of the coast, also docks @ tiny remote communities that see very few visitors.

The Prince Rupert ferry trip uses a lot of long rocky channels to avoid the open ocean, and that's what you see-mile after mile after mile of long rocky channels.

The Coast Discovery route ambles along passing in and out of different passes and channels with constantly changing scenery.

The drive along Highway 20 is-again-one few people make-if getting off the beaten track is important to you this is a trip not to be missed.

The previous mention of the possibility of seeing wildlife right beside the road is 100% accurate-the area can be something of a wonderland in that regard.