

Nelson, the largest (and arguably the prettiest) town in the region, is a gourmand’s must-visit, with tantalizing offerings from coffee roasters to breweries to cantinas to local fine dining.Named the Sculpture Capital of Canada, it would be remiss not to check out Castlegar’s annual Sculpture Walk, followed by a snack break at Lion’s Head Pub. If you’ve travelled from Hope along the Crowsnest (with a break in Osoyoos to visit the incredible Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre ), the Alpine Taxidermy & Wildlife Museum in Grand Forks is a curious and fascinating pit stop that will certainly give you something to talk about when you get back in the car.Renowned for its artistic vibe and world-class skiing, this BC region is ripe for exploration. Get back on the #1 Trans-Canada Highway and make the chill mountain town of Revelstoke your next destination before you trek into the Rockies and beyond.Head north through Vernon, stopping at O’Keefe Ranch for some settler history or beautiful Kalamalka Lake for a swim.Day trip up and down Okanagan Lake, from Peachland to Penticton and everywhere in between, visiting vineyards, orchards and beaches to your heart’s content.With its vast array of wineries, farms and lakes, it would be perfectly acceptable to hunker down here for a while (or for life, as many do once falling under its spell). Taking Highway 97C, you will arrive in Kelowna, the start of your Okanagan adventure.Country music lovers will be on board for discovering the handprints, signatures and murals of famous performers with the Merritt Walk of Stars and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. Make your first stop Merritt to gas up and head straight into town for bannock doughnuts from Indigenous bakery Kekuli Cafe.What is the best road trip route through the Okanagan & Kootenays? Looping back, grab some sustenance in Port Alberni before continuing up to experience the wild and wonderful northern island, truly a world unto itself.


Take the Pacific Rim Highway/BC-4 to the magical beaches of Tofino, the surfing capital of Canada, making sure to spend time in up-and-coming neighbouring town Ucluelet (affectionately called “Ukee” by the locals).Next awaiting exploration are the murals of Chemainus, beaches of Parksville and the goats on the roof in Coombs.Foodies must make the pilgrimage to the Cowichan Valley, replete with farm-fresh produce, cheese-makers, lavender farms, wineries, cideries and breweries. From Victoria, travel north on the Trans-Canada highway, stopping in Cowichan Bay to pick up some of the island’s best bread and authentic pretzels or to cool off with some artisan ice cream.We’ve already published our favourite travel tips here, so keep this link handy if the capital city is on your agenda. Let’s start with our hometown of Victoria - it’s beautiful, eclectic and has endless charms to keep any visitor (or local) captivated.What is the best road trip route across Vancouver Island? This is where you can truly get off the beaten path and uncover the infinite hidden gems in this vast and great country.įor current, helpful information concerning tourism please visit Destination BC. When you make a pit stop, don’t be afraid to ask the gas station clerk, your server at breakfast, the hotel concierge, or anyone else you encounter where they would go if they had a day to drive somewhere. Be open to the locals’ recommendations! The best part of road trips is that you are in control of your itinerary.There will be so many places along your route to spontaneously stop with trails and lookouts that you wouldn’t want to miss just because you don’t have the proper clothing at the ready. Be sure to keep fresh socks, your hiking shoes, a light jacket and water bottle in a small backpack in your trunk.Many places change their hours seasonally. To avoid disappointment and time spent driving, check parks and destinations websites regularly for updates about opening/closing times.Reserve at Parks Canada here or BC Parks here. They do fill up really quickly, however, so make plans early. Planning on camping? While there are many excellent private campgrounds to be found, there’s something special about the national and provincial sites.You can also buy day passes for specific parks if your route is more set. Consider pre-purchasing a 12-month Canada Parks pass to access all 80 national parks so you don’t have to worry about it while on the road.For up to date information concerning tourism in Canada, rules and regulations, as well as helpful tips and information, visit Destination Canada.
