Bella Coola is such a remote and wild place that most people never get any closer than seeing it on a map! The valley is road access (you can also fly direct from Vancouver) but the drive here has a reputation as being a long drive along the infamous Freedom Highway (although it really isn't that far, but shhhh). 20 years ago it would take 13 hours along gravel roads to get to the first major highway....now it only takes 4.5 hours on a good run.
A friend last year reminded me how special this place is when explaining that around every turn there was another incredible, view, a waterfall, a bear...something equally breathtaking.
On leaving the valley I decided to fish the Atnarko River..a young grizzly bear was happily munching on some berry bushes on the other side of the river while I cast my line, huge salmon continually leaping out of the river. Snow capped mountains in the background, nobody else around, and a few feet from the silent highway, only just under 5 hours from a major centre. At this point my friend exclaimed 'this place is ridiculous!'
For a some of us this place really gets under our skin and keeps pulling us back. We are glad to make this place our home and invite you to join us.
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