Scenic Drive from Terrace to Prince Rupert, British Columbia

Northern British Columbia’s stunning Highway 16 (also called the Yellowhead Highway) between Terrace and Prince Rupert makes for an amazing road trip. The route between these two towns travels 144 kilometers and takes only an hour and a half, but it’s worth lingering along the way and enjoying the scenery, history and culture.

Starting in Terrace, head west and you’ll hug the Skeena River, an important artery for the region. On a clear day, the glacier-capped mountains will have you pulling over every few kilometers to take photographs. On a cloudy day (Skeena means River of Mist in the aboriginal language), the dramatic hillsides are shrouded in fog and drizzle, making for an entirely different type of beauty.

Occasional glacier-fed rivers careen through tight canyons and valleys toward the Skeena. You may also spot black bears or the famous Kermode bears, also known as “spirit bears.” Worthwhile stops include Exchamsiks River Provincial Park, North Pacific Cannery (a short detour from the highway) and Diana Lake Provincial Park.

Prince Rupert at the western terminus is worth spending the day, as well. You can walk the quaint downtown, enjoy the scenery, grab a bite to eat and consider other tours in the area.