Driving into Bella Coola is a Spectacular Experience.

From Vancouver, Bella Coola is approximately 1000 km (620 mi) north.

Directions: Follow Hwy 97 to Williams Lake and continue west on Hwy 20 for a 4-hour drive to Anahim Lake. Another 40 min. on a packed, dirt road to the top of what is affectionately known as ‘The Hill’.

The Hill is a 20-minute descent at slow speed, in low gear, to the Valley floor. From there, it’s another 1 hour or so of relatively flat driving to the village of Bella Coola.

Note the distances to Bella Coola from:

Williams Lake, BC: 457 km (284 mi)
Prince George, BC: 693 km (431 mi)
Kelowna, BC: 903 km (560 mi)
Seattle, Washington: 1100 km (688 mi)
Jasper, Alberta: 999 km (620 mi)
Edmonton, Alberta: 1360 km (845 mi)
Calgary, Alberta: 1350 km (844 mi)

Drive BC’s website has Current Hill Road Conditions

More about The Hill
The area of HWY 20 that leads through Tweedsmuir Park is a steep, dirt-packed incline known affectionately as “The Hill.”

The Hill is a series of switchbacks & has grades of up to 18 percent. The road handles all traffic year-round, including semi-trailer trucks & large recreational vehicles.

During steep sections, it’s best to put your vehicle in first gear & just go slow. Remember, uphill traffic has the right-of-way. Some sections are single lane. It’s a good idea to take note of the many pull-offs in case you need to let another vehicle pass. While exercising caution, you’ll find The Hill an exciting & enjoyable part of your Bella Coola holiday. For more information, read ‘Freedom Road’ – A History of the Hill.