Recreational Opportunities in the Terrace Area

The BC Government maintains a variety of sites and trails in the Terrace area. Trails range from easy wheelchair accessible family walks to difficult routes over rough terrain into alpine areas. The following sites and trails are within easy driving distance of Terrace and are 2WD accessible unless otherwise noted.  The trails have been rated for the reasonably physically fit hiker and have been divided into 3 categories, easy, moderate and difficult.

Map of Sites & Trails in the Terrace Area
- 1,755kb 11x17" May 25, 2007

A Guide to Recreational Trails in the Terrace Area
- 922kb Brochure 2007

Thornhill Mountain (Vicki Kryklywyj Memorial) Trail

Access: From the four way stop (junction of Hwy 37 and 16) east of Terrace, drive east on Hwy 16 for about 1/2 km, then turn right on Old Lakelse Lake Road. Drive through the residential area and beyond for 5.8 km and turn left onto the Thornhill Mountain road. The turn off is less than a kilometre past the Thornhill landfill.
Trail description: A moderate hike that follows an old mining trail for 4.8 km to alpine and the old forestry lookout. Once into alpine there are panoramic views of the Skeena and Kitimat valleys. This trail is maintained by the Terrace Hiking Club.

Map of the Thornhill Mountain Trail
- 6,005kb Aug 8, 2008

Google Earth Placemark of the Thornhill Mountain Trail
- 19kb Feb 9, 2009Top

Bornite Mountain Trail

Access: Turn off Highway 16 east of Terrace at Kleanza Creek Park. As you leave the highway do not go into the park but go to the left up the Bornite Mountain road (Kleanza Forest Service Road). At 4.5 km turn left and follow the signs. This road is 4WD access for the last 4 km before the trailhead.
Trail description: A moderate 4.6 km hike following an old mining trail to a sub alpine ridge. An unmarked route continues to the peak giving panoramic views of Skeena Valley and surrounding ranges. Remains of historic mining sites can be found on the ridge.Top

Pine Lake Trail and Recreation Site

Access: From Terrace, drive west along Highway 16 about 200 meters past the Kalum River and turn north onto the first road (West Kalum Forest Service Road). At 11.3 km, turn left and follow along road for approx. 800 meters where a short road leads to the right to the site and the trail.
Site Description: Two small scenic forested sites, with 5 developed camping spaces. Good opportunities available for hiking and canoeing.
Trail description: An easy 6.1 km loop trail around Pine Lakes. The trail offers scenic views of the surrounding mountains, wetlands and lakes. Caution is required during wet periods as trail has extensive board walks and bridges which can be slippery.

Map of the Pine Lake Trail and Recreation Site
- 5,428kb Aug 7, 2008Top

Redsand Lake Demonstration Forest
& Hart Farm Recreation Site

Redsand Lake:
Access: From Terrace drive west along Highway 16, 200 meters past the Kalum River bridge turn right onto the West Kalum Forest Service Road. Drive 26 km until you reach Redsand Lake on your right.
Site description: An 18 unit campground that includes wheelchair accessible camping, a sandy beach and a picnic shelter as well as nearby trails.
Trail descriptions:
Introduction trail: A 1.6 km self guiding, wheelchair accessible interpretative loop trail describing forest values.
Lookout trail: This trail branches off the introduction trail and leads to a lookout overlooking Red Sand Lake and the Kalum valley.
Operations Trail: A 2.4 km loop trail that shows examples of harvesting, planting and stand tending.



Hart Farm:
Access: Located 27 km north of Terrace via the West Kalum Forest Service Road. It's the second road on the right after the turn off for the Redsand Lake Demonstration Forest (see Redsand Lake camp site access above).
Site Description: A medium semi-open 11 unit site on Kalum Lake located in the Redsand Lake  Demonstration Forest. The area offers good boating, canoeing, and hiking opportunities.

Map of the Redsand Lake Demonstration Forest and Hart Farm
- 256kb Jun 23, 2003Top

Maroon Mountain Trail

Access: Follow the Nisga'a Highway north of Terrace for 34.5 km. Turn right onto the Wesach Creek forestry road (1.3 km north of the Maroon Creek highway bridge), and follow the signs for the next 2.5 to the parking area at Hall Creek.  The Hall Creek bridge has been removed so cross the footbridge and walk an additional 1.5 km along the road to the trailhead.
Trail description: A moderate to difficult 7.2 km hike following an old mining trail to alpine. As you reach the sub alpine, the trail splits with an unmarked route leading to the right towards the peak. The left hand route follows along the North side of the mountain to the remains of old mining claims. Once alpine is reached there are excellent views of Kalum Valley and surrounding mountain ranges.Top

Gunsight Lake Trail

Access: Trailhead is located south of Terrace on Highway 37 across from Furlong Bay Provincial Park.
Trail Description: A moderate to difficult 5.5 km route that leads to a scenic alpine lake; route is marked to alpine.Top

Lakelse River Recreation Site

Access: From Terrace, cross either bridge over the Skeena River to reach Queensway Drive. Take Queensway Drive through the residential area until it goes up a long hill. At the top of the hill, the road divides. Turn right onto Old Remo Road. Continue for about 8km until the road divides and turn left onto the Whitebottom forestry road. Continue on the Whitebottom road for 4.5 km until you reach the Lakelse River Recreation Site on your left, just before the Lakelse River bridge.
Site Description: A medium to heavily treed 10 unit camp site with good fishing opportunities in the area.
Caution: Bears frequent this area.

Google Earth Placemark of the Lakelse River Recreation Site
- 12kb Feb 10, 2009Top

Exstew River Recreation Site

Access: From Terrace, drive west on Hwy 16 for approximately 36 km. About 500 meters east of the Exstew River highway bridge is the Exstew forestry road. Turn right (north) cross the railway tracks and go north 5.7 km until the site turnoff on the left.
Site Description: A large, semi-open 11 unit camp site with picnic facilities located on the Exstew River. Very scenic.
Caution: Bears frequent this area.Top

Big Cedar Snowmobiling Trails

Access: Drive 58 km north of Terrace along the Nisga'a Highway. Turn right just before the Cedar River bridge onto the Big Cedar Forest Service Road and follow for approximately 22 km until you reach Branch F33000 on your left. Follow the branch road down to the Cedar River bridge. The road is deactivated just past the bridge. Follow the deactivated road to the top of the cutblock and the trailhead. Road access from Nisga'a Highway to trailhead is dependent upon snow conditions.
Trail description: A 5 km snowmobiling trail that leads into the alpine areas of the Big Cedar range. Excellent views of surrounding ranges from alpine areas.Top

Sterling Mountain Snowmobiling Trails

Access: Drive 67 km north of Terrace along the Nisga'a Highway to the Meadow Creek Forestry Road. Turn right and follow the road for 8 km. Road access from Nisga'a Highway to trailhead is dependent upon snow conditions.
Trail description: 16.5 km of snowmobiling trails that lead into the alpine areas of the Sterling Mountain range. Excellent views of the surrounding ranges and the Nass Valley from alpine areas. The main route is packed and maintained by the Skeena Valley Snowmobile Association, who also maintain the day cabins at Jack's Lake and Sterling Lake.Top

Terrace Mountain Trails

Access: The Terrace Mountain trails are located approx. 3.5 km from the Visitor information centre on Highway 16 in Terrace. The main trailhead is located at the junction of Johnstone Street and Walsh Avenue and a second trailhead is located at the end of Munthe Avenue.
Hiking Trail: A moderate 4.5 km trail with some steep sections. Benches are located at a rock bluff near the top of the mountain where there are excellent views of Terrace and the Skeena Valley.
Mountain Bike Trail: A moderate to difficult single track 7.5 km loop that includes a physically challenging climb and a technically challenging descent. The trail begins with a moderate climb at the Johnstone Street trailhead and traverses the west face of the mountain. It then joins the hiking trail for a short section and then begins to climb more steeply with a series of switchbacks. Riders who want to avoid the more technical sections can turn around at the top and ride back to the start via the up-track. The trail has interesting and varied terrain with beautiful vistas along the way and includes many bridges, boardwalks and berms.

Map of the Terrace Mountain Trails
- 143kb May 2008

Google Earth Placemark of the Terrace Mountain Trails
- 17kb Feb 9, 2009Top