University Hill is the definition of urban mountain biking. One moment I’m riding through a thick northern British Columbia forest of poplar and spruce, twisting this way and that along an interesting ribbon of dirt—the next, I drop the trees for buildings and dirt for paved paths as I cross the campus of the University of Northern British Columbia. I’m not the first knobby tire visitor: Fresh-faced college students don’t give my mud-splattered lycra a second look.
Sitting on an escarpment above Prince George, the panoramic view from the university exposes a truth about this hidden BC adventure town gem. Nearly 90,000 people live in the area—it’s the hub and gateway to northern British Columbia—but green space is always right around the corner. The downtown is urban and trendy, with funky restaurants, modern cafes and bustling breweries. And within the city limits are expansive parks, trail networks and rivers where you’re more likely to spot a moose or an owl than another person. It’s a city defined by wilderness, sometimes literally, making it a unique adventure and nature destination.
Birding Delights
Take the bird life. Near the geographic centre of the province, Prince George sits on a major migration path, near the foothills of the Rocky and Cariboo mountain ranges, on the southern edge of the great boreal forest and at the junction of two major river valleys. It’s a confluence of habitats. Local birders have checked off more than 200 species just within the city limits, which is why Prince George is on the BC Bird Trail.
Ducks, geese and swans congregate along the local rivers, particularly in the spring and fall. A good place to see them is on the smooth paths of Cottonwood Island Nature Park, where the Nechako and Fraser rivers meet right in downtown. On the western outskirts, Cranbrook Hill is one of the best places in the province to check off the colourful, threatened and aptly named long billed curlew. In the winter, driving the rural roads around the airport is a good place to spot raptors, including goshawks and, at dusk, several species of owls.
Dark Skies
On clear nights, it’s a good idea to keep an eye to the north for a chance to see the aurora borealis. The cosmic shimmering is visible about 65 nights a year in Prince George, mostly in the spring and fall. When forecasts predict a high probability of aurora activity, head to Salmon Valley, Purden Lake or Forests of the World for the best viewing.
Even when the northern lights aren’t active, the area is amazing for stargazing. It only takes a few minutes to escape the city lights and see thousands of stars of the Milky Way, watch a meteor shower or check out the circumpolar constellations. West Lake Provincial Park and Summit Lake Resort are both good spots for an evening of stargazing. The Prince George Astronomical Society regularly opens its observatory to the public.
Biking Trails
The dark skies are such an important part of life around here, astronomy is even reflected in the trail names. One of the best trails for a long mountain bike ride is called Northern Lights. It’s a blue trail at Pidherny Recreation Site, the most extensive of the trail networks around the city. Each area has its own character. Pidherny is more gravity focused, mostly climbing and descending with some banked corners and wooden features. Caledonia Nordic Ski Club, also known as Otway, is the cross-country zone, where the rambling terrain provides seemingly endless loops. To the east of town, Tabor Mountain Recreation Trails is a newer shuttle area with challenging descents. And there’s another network on University Hill that connects into the woods that quickly transitions to real wilderness.
The trails are easy to navigate. You can join the bike club or Gals n Gears for group rides every week during the riding season. It’s a fun way to meet some locals, get a guided tour and, since they often end with a post-ride beverage, experience the welcoming, close-knit, community side of the city, too.
This article was sponsored by Tourism Prince George
Closer than you think. There’s a number of ways to make your journey to Prince George as convenient as need be. Their podcast is a great starting point.
The post Discover These 3 Outdoor Wonders in BC’s Hidden Gem first appeared on Explore Magazine.