The Great Northern Circle Tour

This isn't called a great circle for nothing. The tour covers nearly 2,600 km (1,560 miles) of spectacular and varying terrain. See Northern British Columbia and never retrace a step. The tour includes the famous Alaska Highway, the remote Stewart Cassiar and The Yellowhead (Highway 16).

Day One

Traveling north from Prince George on Highway 97 (The Hart Highway), the diverse character of the north first offers spiky black spruce trees and muskeg swamps, leading into the spectacular Canadian Rocky Mountains. After climbing the Pine Pass, you descend into the fertile Peace River Valley. Your journey takes you to Chetwynd (watch for the outstanding chainsaw sculptures) and on to Dawson Creek, Mile 0 of the famous Alaska Highway.

Day Two

Travel north through the Peace River Valley to Fort St. John and Fort Nelson. Both these communities offer numerous attractions, shops, restaurants, friendly people and a variety of accommodations, including some great camping. For more, see the Fort St. John and Fort Nelson links under the 'Cities and Region' link in the top right corner of this page.

Day Three

It looks on a map like a short distance between Fort Nelson and Watson Lake, but plan to overnight enroute. The Northern Rockies are spectacular. Stone Mountain, Muncho Lake Park, Liard Hot Springs, Smith River Falls and Whirlpool Canyon are just a few of the spots to stop for a rest, a nice picnic or a peaceful night.

Day Four

Watson Lake, Yukon boasts a unique sign forest, making it a sure stop for photographs. Circle south to the Stewart, Alaska Highway 37 route. The road is sealcoated but there is gravel in some sections. This highway is one of the most scenic and remote routes in the province with Boya Lake, Kinaskan Lake, Mount Ediza and Dease Lake as great locations to stop. Dease Lake will be the first major service centre on this route. Be sure to take some time to visit the jade shops.

Day Five

If your neck gets sore looking around at peaceful, beautiful wilderness, we understand. There's great spots all along this portion of the tour for fishing, hiking and some wildlife photography on many of the lakes that dot the route. Iskut and Meziadin Lake Junction offer fuel and shopping.

Day 6

At Kitwanga Junction, take the Yellowhead (Highway 16) east to Hazelton and stop at the 'Ksan Historical Village and Museum. Take the self-guided totem pole tour near Gitanmaax, the ancient village of the Gitxsan people on the Kispiox River. The alpine city of Smithers is next on the route.

Day 7

The Yellowhead highway boasts spectacular scenery and numerous communities enroute. You'll drive through Smithers, Telkwa, Houston, Burns Lake, Fraser Lake, Fort Fraser and Vanderhoof. Each of these communities offers attractions and services, including great opportunities for fishing, boating and hiking. Houston is home to one of the largest sawmills in the world.

Day 8

Arrive in Prince George to complete the Great Northern Circle Tour.