Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
post here in 1869. Over in Hagensborg, 15 kilometers (nine miles) inland, the many hand-
hewn timber buildings still standing are testament to the construction skills of Norwegian
settlers, who first arrived in the valley in 1894.
There's plenty of outdoor recreation to keep visitors busy. Unfortunately, most of the
action is out on the water and requires the services of a boat charter company (not cheap).
Fishing is the most popular activity; expect to pay from $180 per hour for four people.
Those with a sense of history will want to visit
Mackenzie Rock,
in the Dean Chan-
nel and accessible only by boat, where Alexander Mackenzie, in his own words, “mixed
up some vermillion and melted grease and inscribed in large characters on the face of
the rock on which we slept last night, this brief memorial: Alexander Mackenzie, from
Canada, by Land, the Twenty Second of July, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety
Three.” In doing so, he became the first person to cross continental North America. For
boat charter information, contact
Bella Coola Sportfishing Adventures
(888/982-0098,
Accommodations and Camping
Right on the river is
Bella Coola Motel
(1224 Clayton St., 250/799-5323,
www.bellacoolamotel.com
,
$115 s, $125 d, camping $30), with clean and comfortable
rooms each with a full kitchen. Between Bella Coola and Hagensborg, the friendly hosts
at
Eagle Lodge
(1103 Hwy. 20, 250/799-5587 or 866/799-5587,
www.eaglelodgebc.com
,
$95-145) will make you feel welcome the moment you step through the front door. Each
of seven guest rooms is configured differently, with the smallest having a twin bed and the
largest a two-bedroom suite complete with a kitchen and fireplace. A breakfast buffet is $5
per person, and guests have use of wireless Internet and an outdoor hot tub positioned to
take full advantage of the rural setting.
Gnome's Home Campground and RV Park
(Hagensborg, 250/982-2504,
www.gnomeshome.ca
,
Apr.-Oct., $15-18) has showers, a cook shelter, and a laundry, and is
the starting point for a short trail leading through the temperate rainforest.
BC Ferries
(250/386-3431 or 888/223-3779,
www.bcferries.com
) sailings from Bella
Coola open a remote section of the British Columbia coastline that would otherwise be in-
accessible. The main route is between Bella Coola and Port Hardy (Vancouver Island). The
direct sailing takes 13 hours, or 31 hours with all stops. Study the timetable (on the BC Fer-
ries website) to see which sailing suits your needs. When the ferry does make a stop, it's
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