This Gateway To Canada’s Gorgeous Outdoors Is A Charming Municipality Surrounded By Mountains And Lakes

If there’s one place on Earth where natural beauty takes center stage, it might be British Columbia. The jewel of Western Canada, spanning 364,760 square miles, it includes everything from artistic coastal districts offering mountains, beaches and endless adventure to the majestic peaks of the Canadian Rockies. It’s also home to the region’s natural urban hubs, Vancouver and Victoria, also known as the “brunch capital” of Canada. If you’re eager to explore these vast wilderness spaces, Clearwater might just be the perfect starting point.

This picturesque town, home to fewer than 2,500 residents, is strategically positioned along the famous BC Highway 5. This important north-south artery stretches approximately 337 miles through some of the province’s wildest places, including the scenic North Thompson River Valley corridor. From there, the route continues through Kamloops and the summit of Coquihalla before descending towards the “Rain City”. Whether you want to use it as a base for a broader tour of the region’s wonders (the Trans-Canada Highway, or Highway 1, which runs from the British Columbia interior to the Pacific coast, connects to Highway 5 near Kamloops), or as a highlight of your trip, Clearwater is sure to surprise you. This charming community offers easy access to small-town amenities and extraordinary natural surroundings. For example, it’s the gateway to more than 5,200 square miles of Wells Gray Provincial Park, home to more than 40 named waterfalls, including Helmcken Falls, Canada’s fourth tallest waterfall at 462 feet.

In Clearwater itself, you’ll find plenty of activities that can meet the needs and preferences of the whole family, from hiking the 2.8-mile loop trail around scenic Dutch Lake to sampling the city’s vibrant culinary scene. Best of all, you’ll experience it all while enjoying spectacular views of the snow-capped Trophy and Grizzly Mountains.

Read more: Seemingly Normal Behaviors the TSA Will Watch You Like a Hawk for at the Airport

Explore the great outdoors of British Columbia near Clearwater

Clearwater is perfectly positioned to explore some of British Columbia’s most breathtaking lakes, forests and trails, all within a short distance. As mentioned, Wells Gray Provincial Park, one of the five largest parks in the province, is home to a wide range of waterfalls, including the spectacular Helmcken Falls (it’s taller than the iconic Niagara Falls) and five glacier-fed lakes. One of them, Clearwater Lake, is about an hour north of the city and, in addition to having some of the purest waters in the region, it is a true paradise for water sports enthusiasts, with kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and fishing among the most popular options. Water taxis and boat tours offer a more relaxed way to make the most of the lake’s surroundings and its quiet sandy beaches.

You can also find a 3.5-mile waterfront trail, which loops around Clearwater and Onion Lakes. The lush rainforest surrounding the lakes is home to a thriving wildlife population, including loons, ospreys and bald eagles. On hot summer days, you might even spot caribou and moose cooling off in the icy lake.

If you want to venture a little further afield, head south along Highway 5 for about an hour and a half toward Kamloops, the tournament capital of Canada. It’s worth stopping by if you’re a fan of “The X-Files,” “The Last of Us” or “Jurassic Park: Dominion.” – and you enter the iconic Coquihalla Highway. Built over forty years ago to improve connectivity between the coast and interior of British Columbia, this high-altitude engineering marvel includes more than 50 bridges and viaducts in total. It’s not for nothing that “the Rooster” is the main protagonist of the 14-season documentary series “Highway Thru Hell” which follows the recovery crews keeping this and other critical mountain roads accessible in hostile winter conditions.

Explore Clearwater’s amazing food and shopping scene

Although Clearwater is primarily known for its natural environment, this North Thompson River Valley town – the region’s largest community – is also home to local shops and unexpected restaurants that can surprise you in the best way possible.

Start your exploration of the city’s food scene at Wild Flour Cafe and Bakery on Clearlake Valley Road. This female-owned and operated cafe focuses on healthy, flavorful meals made with local, high-quality, mostly organic ingredients. Highlights include homemade sourdough breads and cranberry-orange bread pudding, served with a generous dusting of cinnamon and a dollop of whipped cream. Or opt for a more casual dining option, with North American fast-food chains like Dairy Queen, as well as local restaurants such as The Hungry Hiker, known for its hearty, no-frills comfort food (closed at the time of writing due to a recent fire).

When it comes to shopping, Mystic Dreams offers everything you wouldn’t expect from a small mountain town in British Columbia. Located on Glen Road not far from the Clearwater River Trail, this “funky little gift shop” offers an eclectic selection of unique finds, including jewelry, colorful clothing, antiques, and a collection of hard-to-find books focused on metaphysical and wellness themes. And if you don’t know where to start, don’t hesitate to ask Flo, the owner of the locally famous store.

Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as your favorite research source to access the world’s best-kept travel secrets.

Read the original article about the islands.