Touring the Birthplace of BC and Fraser Valley
“On the Trade Trails” | Spring, Summer, or Fall | Weeklong Road Trip
Fraser Valley Tulip Festival, Abbotsford | Destination BC/Jon Ross
Kwe'leches (hello in Halq'eméylem)
Welcome to the traditional territory of the Sto:lo Indians. These lands span 100 square kilometres of diverse landscape, home to many of the province's largest and most historic waterways and trade routes.
This week-long Indigenous-inspired road trip tours you from the “Birthplace of British Columbia” to the historic shores of Harrison Lake.
A traveller is one who “immerses themself in the places they visit.” Responsible travellers plan, choosing experiences that leave a small ecological footprint. Our road trips are packed full of culture, and we encourage you to stop in rural or Indigenous communities, stay in locally run accommodations, eat and sip at small shops, and buy from local artisans.
Our trips are all connected, but you can experience them independently or combine to create the adventure of a lifetime!
'Kw'as hoy' (thank you in Halq'eméylem)
The Vagabonds.
Langley Township
2 days, 2 nights
Tucked between the Coast and Cascade Mountains and bordering the Fraser River, The Township of Langley has a legendary relationship with the river's deep and murky waters. Filled with silt and sediment gathered during its incredible 1,375-kilometer journey to the Pacific Ocean, the Fraser is a powerful lifeforce and the longest undammed river in North America.
Langley is an oasis of calm as you depart the bustle of Greater Vancouver. A quick exit off Highway 1 takes you to this land of misty mornings and temperate days. A sub-climate makes the area slightly cooler in the winter and up to 5 degrees warmer in the summer than neighboring Vancouver, creating ideal conditions for lush landscapes and bountiful agriculture.
The Township is a tapestry of fertile farms, rambling vineyards, and grassy meadows - with a few golf courses scattered throughout. Considered the Equine Capital of BC, you'll find plenty of opportunities to horseback ride and explore the local landscape or view a jumping competition at Milner Downs Equestrian Center.
Agri-tourism:
A lot is happening in Langley if you know where to look for it. Hidden gems lie around every bend with agri-tourism an active contributor to the robust farm-to-fork food culture. Area farmers and food artisans participate in the Circle Farm Tour, opening their doors to welcome visitors in an epic farmgate movement. You can do as much or as little as you like on this self-guided experience, but allow yourself time to savour each stop.
One of our seasonally favourite stops is Milner Valley Cheese. The fertile lands of the Milner Valley have been occupied for some 4,000 years with the Kwantlen, Matsqui, and Katzie First Nations being the original inhabitants. Today, the farmhouse is a designated historic site with handcrafted artisanal goat cheese. We love their Tipsy Goat and Caerphilly cheese offerings, but the gelato is the pièce de résistance! Grab your favourite flavour while you watch the goats graze. There is gratification in knowing where your food comes from!
Ralph's Farm Market is a great place to fill your cooler with farm-fresh food. Starting as a seasonal hay wagon in 1992, the family-owned operation has grown to a year-round provider of fresh goods with a growing selection of organic, vegan, and gluten-free options.
A quick stop at the BC Farm Museum adds perspective to the importance of farming to this area. View the province's largest collection of pioneer and agricultural artifacts!
Krause Berry Farms & Winery, Langley | Destination BC/Hubert Kang
Langley is also known as the Fraser Valley's premier wine and libations destination, and no trip to the Township is complete without a wine and ale tour. The region produces excellent whites, a fabulous sampling of lighter reds, and lovely fruit-based wine and mead offerings. Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery includes a u-pick berry stop, on-site market and wine tastings. Festina Lente Estate Winery is one of two meaderies offering handcrafted honey wines in an intimate setting.
We highly recommend a visit to the Fraser Valley Cider Company or a tour of the impressive Fraser Valley Ale Trail. Dead Frog Brewing, a local hangout, pours over 20 taps of preservative-free and unpasteurized craft beer in a “urbanesque” space. The homegrown vibe and free music served at Farm Country Brewing in Downtown Langley is a cool stop in a renovated grocery store with open-air flair. There are plenty of amazing ale stops on this road trip, so hold your horses and stop for the suds!
Fort Langley
Known as the “Birthplace of British Columbia,” Fort Langley is the place where heritage charm meets urban sophistication. In bygone days, the Sto:lo lived in permanent villages on the banks of the Fraser River close to where the modern-day Fort stands. Today, you can travel the distance between the two sites on the Fort-to-Fort Trail by bike, foot, or horse. If you have your bike or can rent one, a ride beside the river on this section of the TransCanada Trail is well worth it.
Fort Langley National Historic Site | Destination BC/Dannielle Hayes
The first written account of European contact with the Sto:lo dates from 1808, when Simon Fraser, an explorer for the North West Company, recorded seeing a First Nations village close to where the Hudson Bay Company built its trading post. Today, the replica of the original fort known as Fort Langley National Historic Site is a significant landmark – but of equal significance is the historical First Nation Exhibits on display within its walls.
You can spend the night in a furnished oTENTik (camp) on the grounds of the Fort, visit the Indigenous-owned Sxwimelə Boutique and Gifts, or dine on contemporary Indigenous cuisine at the Lelem' Arts and Cultural Café.
Leləm' Cafe, Fort Langley | Indigenous Tourism BC/Alicia Haque
Outside of the Fort beside the railway is the contemporary village of Fort Langley. Fighting to retain its quaint character, it remains one of our favourite places to take a leisurely stroll and shop at some of the loveliest and quirkiest independent shops in the Valley. Wendel's Bookstore or the Fort Pub and Grill, opposite the Historic CN Station, are always at the top of our itinerary, along with a stop to refill at Chuckling Duckling Farm.
The best beaches in the Township are found on either side of Fort Langley, at Derby Reach, and Glen Valley Regional Park. Not like the soft sand beaches found on the area’s sand bars, these beaches are wide, gently sloping stretches of compact sand and mud, perfect for strolling.
Langley City
The hidden gem here is Historic Downtown Langley. There’s so much to check out in this eclectic destination, including an amazing variety of thrift stores. The area is perfect for pedestrians, so park your vehicle and set out by foot. Check out Mural Trail – a self-guided artisans’ stroll that threads its way through town.
There are 346 acres of parkland to explore, including Sendall Botanical Gardens, connected by paved pathways that loop through the downtown core. An afternoon at Brydon Lagoon provides a peaceful pause for birdwatching and an afternoon picnic. For the perfect charcuterie or take-out food, try The Raving Gamer Bistro.
Murals in Langley | Destination BC/Hubert Kang
Kwantlen First Nation Cultural Centre includes a longhouse, artifacts, and offers authentic cultural tours led by Knowledge Keepers from the Kwantlen First Nation. An important destination on this part of the road-trip, the Centre helps set the tone for our journey through Mission and the north-eastern Fraser Valley.
Fun Facts:
Nearly a quarter of the bee colony farms in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley are located in Langley.
In the Winter:
Many of the area’s attractions are wonderful in the quieter months. Check ahead for the seasonality of the Wine Trails; many of the larger wineries remain open with reduced hours. Head out on the Ale Trail, tour Fort Langley, and Downtown Langley when all the lights are twinkling, and the displays are up.
Left: oTENTiks, Fort Langley | Destination BC/Local Wanderer
Right: Leləm' Cafe, Fort Langley | Indigenous Tourism BC/Alicia Haque
Where to Eat:
Annora Restaurant – Langley
Naka Bistro – Langley
Little Donkey Food and Drink – Fort Langley
Lelem’ – Fort Langley
The Italian Osteria and Cheesebar – Langley
Mission via Maple Ridge
2 days, 1 night
Golden Ears Bridge takes you across the river to Pitt Meadows where you will pass through Maple Ridge on route to Mission. If you're craving outdoor adventure between stops, you can visit Alouette Lake and Golden Ears Park (with a day pass) before continuing onto Mission and Abbotsford.
The landscape this side of the Fraser is rugged and wilder than the cultivated landscape of the Township. There are three campgrounds in Golden Ears Park that can be booked through a reservation system - but book early as it’s a popular destination! The Park is vast and full of trails that range from easy hikes to multi-day mountain grinds. The East Canyon Trail to the Lower Falls is a 5-kilometer loop that leads hikers to a beautiful waterfall.
The Alouette River is a great spot to float in the high-water months. A popular 3-hour run is Allco Park to Davison Pools and Hot Rocks (but you’ll need two cars to shuttle between the two spots). Tubes often tear on the rocks so you may want to have a repair kit on hand. The end of the float will bring you to the “hot rocks” and swimming hole where you can find a semi-private place to dry off in the sun.
Billy Miner Ale House, Maple Ridge | @miraecampbell
Afterwards, stop into Billy Miner Alehouse for a snack and refreshment. The Brewmasters at the Miner "invite you to come in, sit back with a craft beer and feel the rumble of the freight engines passing by on the same tracks they used over 100 years ago!"
The namesake of this vintage stop is the notorious Billy Miner - considered the last of the old-time outlaws, and a modern-day Robin Hood dubbed "The Gentleman Bandit".
Mission:
The drive from Maple Ridge to Mission takes 30 minutes on the Scenic 7 Highway, but we suggest taking a detour off the highway to Cascade Falls and Suspension Bridge.
The walk to the bridge is a steep climb up a set of wooden stairs. The waterfall plummets into an aquamarine pool of churning water, the sudden contact of the two forces creating translucent rainbows that dance in the sunlight. It’s the smallest of 3 suspension bridges in the Lower Mainland. Rumor has it that there is a hidden pool and natural rock waterslide close by.
Photo Credit: Natasha Pellatt
Mission is the location of Canada's first train robbery and home to the oldest known First Nations' archaeological site in BC – Xay:tem National Historic Site.
Carbon dating traces artifacts back 9,000 years with recent digs uncovering the remnants of a longhouse believed to be around 6,000 years old. This significant find is the oldest known Indigenous dwelling in BC and among the oldest in Canada. The Interpretive Centre is a great resource to guide you through the history of the Stó:lō people and the importance of this find including the significance of the Sto:lo Transformer Stone.
Much of the area’s Indigenous history was obliterated with the introduction of residential schools. In 1861, the original St. Mary's Residential School was built and operated by the Roman Catholic Church. In 1961 it was replaced with a government-run residential school. Remnants of the old school and cemetery are still evident in crumbling foundations, abandoned stairways, and scattered landmarks – scars of a dark but not forgotten past. Between 1963 and 1968, over 2,000 children were taken from their families.
Also of historic significance is Westminster Abbey, home to a Benedictine monastery. The Abbey and surrounding property are an unexpected architectural gem in Mission. Crowning the skyline, it overlooks the Fraser River Valley and City of Abbottsford. You can stop to worship or take in the splendor of the interior of the Abbey. The grounds are a sacred space where guests are invited to discover God's presence in the beauty of creation. Whether you are religious or not, there is a sense of awe found in wandering the paths of the Monastery.
Fun Facts:
The earliest settlers in Maple Ridge were Hawaiians referred to as Kanakas. They were employed by the Hudson Bay Company.
In the Winter:
Many of the area's attractions are wonderful in the quieter months. Head out on the Ale Trail; pack your snowshoes and hit the higher trails. Make sure you have winter-appropriate tires and clothing. Four-wheel drive vehicles are strongly recommended.
Places to Stay:
Camp in Golden Ears Park – Maple Ridge
Brookside Inn Boutique Hotel – Abbotsford
Rolley Lake Provincial Park - Mission
Where to Eat:
Billy Miner Alehouse – Maple Ridge
Hansel and Gretel Bakery – Maple Ridge
Big Feast Bistro – Maple Ridge
Embers BBQ House – Mission
Abbotsford
2 days, 2 nights
The largest city in the Fraser Valley, Abbottsford is nestled between lushly forested mountain peaks and the American border. With world-class downhill bike trails, gorgeous hikes, and the legendary Sumas Mountain, it’s also home to Abbotsford International Airport (which is often a cheaper option than flying into Vancouver).
Photo Credit: Natasha Pellatt
Known for its rich agricultural lands and cultivated fields, the area is a culturally significant community for Punjabi farmers and home to several religious landmarks. Gur Sikh Temple is the oldest of its kind in North America, and the only Sikh temple outside of India and Pakistan designated a national historic site. An active place of worship, the Sikh community encourages people to visit the site, providing guided tours and cultural context to their historic contribution to farming in the Fraser Valley.
The Mennonite Heritage Museum was created to preserve and document the history of Mennonites who travelled to BC from Russia and Poland in the early 1900s. The on-site café and bustling farmers’ market highlight the importance of farm-fresh food and agriculture to the area’s Mennonite population.
The Sema:th (Sumas) and Matsqui First Nations call this land home. The territory was once an important gathering spot for the Coast Salish people. Lightning Rock is recognized by archaeological organizations around the world as a sacred site. The resident transformer rock marks a mass grave where hundreds – if not thousands – of Indigenous people lie buried after a smallpox outbreak. Historians estimate that 80 to 90 percent of the local First Nations people perished to the virus. The site is on private property and currently under consideration for protected designation.
Abbotsford is part of the Fraser Valley Wine Tour. The wineries in Langley Township and the farms on the Circle Tour collaborate, creating a pretty cool agricultural tourism adventure. The three wineries found in and around the city are Seaside Pearl Farmgate Winery, Singletree Winery, and Mt. Lehman Winery.
Maan Farms Market and Estate Winery offers a unique goat yoga experience that pairs perfectly with fruit wine. The farm is a must-see novelty, complete with a petting zoo, corn maze and zipline. Stop into Mama Maans Kitchen for a freshly baked berry pie or u-pick the berries from the farmyard fields yourself.
Fieldhouse Brewing, Abbotsford | BC Ale Trail
Destination BC/Hubert Kang
The Abbotsford breweries are gaining a cult-like following on the BC Ale Trail. There are too many to name, but Loudmouth Brewing Company is one of our faves. Other breweries to check out include Ravens Brewing, an Indigenous focused offering, and the original Field House Brewing.
Take time to wander through the heritage streets and alleyways of Historic Downtown Abbotsford. From murals to quaint, locally-owned shops, restaurants, and cafes, it’s worth spending at least a couple of hours wandering around. The area was once a hub for railway transportation with the Electric Railway running from Abbotsford to Vancouver. The historic Sumas Substation, built over a century ago as a powerhouse, controlled the electricity for one of Metro Vancouver's longest-travelling interurban streetcar lines. It’s now a coveted B&B in the Fraser Valley.
Sumas Mountain. Abbotsford | Natasha Pellatt
Sumas Mountain is one of the city’s most visible and familiar landmarks, and Glen Ryder Trail is a challenging day hike. The lower portion of the trail, the Abby Grind, is a popular hike that requires some stamina. You’ll gain 329 metres of altitude in just 2 kilometres with incredible countryside views at the top. This is where the more recreational hikers stop and turn around, but for those seeking a greater challenge, continue up Glen Ryder Trail to Taggart Peak. If you hike the full distance allow for 6 hours of daylight. Both trails are well-shaded and nicely forested with ferns and vegetation growing close to the pathway.
Fun Facts:
Abbotsford is the northernmost rice-producing region in the world and is home to the only rice paddies in Canada.
In the Winter:
Many of the area's attractions are wonderful in the quieter months. Check for the seasonality of the Wine Trails; several of the larger wineries remain open with reduced hours. Head out on the Ale Trail, pack your snowshoes and explore the higher trails.
Places to Stay:
Brookside Inn - Abbotsford (our Vagabond Pick)
BC Electric Substation -Abbotsford
Camp Mclanlin Girl Guides of Canada Camelot -Abbotsford
bookdifferent.com for more, while being a friend to the planet
Where to Eat:
Loudmouth Brewing Company - Abbotsford
Chef Boss Culinary - Abbotsford
New Saigon Vietnamese Cuisine - Abbotsford
Ann Marie’s Café - Abbotsford
Duft & Co Bakehouse - Abbotsford
Harrison Hot Springs
1 day, 2 nights
Take Highway 7 through Agassiz to Harrison Hot Springs if you can spare an extra 20 minutes. Rambling through lush countryside and pastoral landscapes, it is the road less travelled. If time is of the essence, take Highway 1, and we’ll catch up with you in Harrison!
Hobo Hot Springs, Harrison | Natasha Pellatt
Agassiz/Harrison
These are authentic farmlands; the uncomplicated likes of those homesteaded at the turn of the century. This is where you can stop to watch cheesemakers craft and sell their wares, and honey farmers tend their hives – all experiences offered on the Agassiz-Harrison Mills Circle Farm Tour.
In the heart of Agassiz's Pioneer Park, you’ll find the big trees of Agassiz, specifically a giant Dutch Elm planted around 1860. Sharing space with the park is Agassiz Harrison Museum. Housed in the 1893 Canadian Pacific Railway station, it’s one of Canada’s oldest remaining wood stations. The museum's newest exhibit honors the history and legends of the Sq’éwlets & Sts’ailes people.
Kilby General Store Museum and Farm, also known as the Museum of Rural Life, offers visitors a unique experience to connect with the past. Kilby Provincial Park is located on the Harrison and Fraser Rivers in an idyllic location with soft sandy beaches and a year-round boat launch. A 35-site campground and day-use area makes this a great place to settle in for a night or two.
Salmon were abundant in this area in the early 1800s but over the years, flooding of Weaver Creek created land shifts that disturbed their spawning grounds. In 1965, a spawning channel was built beside Weaver Creek. Replicating a shallow stream with a gravel bottom, it has been instrumental in supporting the restoration of Salmon to the area.
Photos: Natasha Pellatt
Between October 6 and early November, salmon spawn in these waters. The Chehalis Flats Bald Eagle & Salmon Preserve, home of the world’s largest gathering of bald eagles during salmon spawning season, and Harrison Mills, known as the World’s Bald Eagle Capital, are excellent vantage points to view these powerful birds as they soar above the water before diving in for their feast.
Harrison Hot Springs is one of our favourite weekend getaways and a great place to stop for a refresh after the bustle of the Lower Mainland. A significant place of natural wonder revered as the Kwals "healing place" by the local First Nations People, Harrison Lake is one of the most accessible and connected waterways in the province. For thousands of years, Coast Salish and Interior Salish Bands would paddle to this site, which served as a cultural gathering, trading spot and place of medicine.
In Chilliwack, a short drive from Harrison Hot Springs, Sto:lo Tourism leads cultural tours and shares the legends of the land and its people. Visit a longhouse, walk through the Coqualeetza Grounds and tour the Stó:lō Interpretive Centre educational exhibits. Once you understand the stories of the Transformers and the legends of the landmarks, you will see the area through different eyes.
Bosumarne Falls, Chilliwack
The Bosumarne Falls Trail, a 2-kilometre hike near Chilliwack, leads adventurers to two waterfalls. There is a precarious, bouncy bridge on this trail (without railings) so cross it carefully.
Spirit Trail is a stunning 30-minute walk through a fragrant, enchanted forest made for art lovers and casual strollers. Popular with tourists, towering cedar trees are decorated with stunning masks crafted by a local artist. The forest here takes on a mystical life of its own with legends of Sasquatch sightings originating in the area.
The Harrison Grind is a challenging excursion best handled by experienced hikers. The route to the viewpoint is accessed up the side of a steep mountain along the Campbell Lake Trail. It is one of our niece's favorite hikes in the area; she claims that if you have the ability - the reward is worth the burn!
The Rainbow Falls water path takes boaters past First Nations petrographs, burial sites, and the historic "Bubble and Squeak" sunken steamship. Sto;lo tours provides authentic Indigenous water experiences that share the legends and history behind the landmarks.
Experienced paddlers can rent kayaks at Killer’s Cove, but those less experienced with kayaking should take a guided tour of the lake. Harrison Eco Tours launches its boats from Harrison Lake Beach. One of its most popular trips takes paddlers on a kayak down the Harrison River to Harrison Mills and the eagles.
Harrison Lake is ideal for windsurfers, thanks to a predictable thermal wind that blows through the valley every summer. Swimmers, especially children, tend to gather in the man-made lagoon on the shores of the lake so it gets busy at times.
The townsite of Harrison Hot Springs is home to a new park that showcases the area’s Indigenous history. Qwolts Park is located at the Miami River flood pump just past the Harrison Hot Springs Resort. If you want to experience the pools at the Resort you do need to be a guest.
Fun Facts:
The word Sasquatch comes from the Coast Salish word "sasqac". In myth, the Sasquatch is a powerful being that is much larger than a human, is covered in hair, and possesses special spiritual abilities.
In the Winter:
Many of the area's attractions are wonderful in the quieter months. Sasquatch Mountain Resort, formerly known as Hemlock Valley is a great family mountain that offers alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing, and more. There are plenty of hiking trails, so bring your snowshoes and, of course, your swimsuit for the hot springs!
Make sure to pack cold-weather layers and winter appropriate tires, four wheel-drive vehicles are recommended.
Clear Creek Hot Springs | Natasha Pellatt
Places to Stay:
Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa - Harrison Hot Springs
Sasquatch Crossing Eco-Lodge - Agassiz
Hot Springs RV and Camping - Harrison Hot Springs
Where to Eat:
Muddy Waters Café - Harrison Hot Springs
Milos Greek Taverna - Harrison Hot Springs
Black Forest Steak & Schnitzel - Harrison Hot Springs
Rowena’s Inn on the River and Clubhouse Restaurant - Harrison Mills
Rowena's Inn, Harrison | Destination BC / @vancitywild
Need to Know for the Road Trip
COVID 19 restrictions apply to businesses in the Fraser Valley with rules and requirements prone to rapid changes. At this time, we are suggesting that travel in this area be restricted to people who call the Fraser Valley home. We hope that others use our road trip suggestions to explore hidden gems hiding just around the next bend in their home communities. We are working hard to share lived road trips that invest in local experiences and support local businesses.
Please check our Responsible Travel Boxes curated with local artisan wares and the planet in mind. Our boxes offer essential road trip items with a twist – they are naturally good for you, the planet, and our economic recovery.