British Colombia

The new Bradt Canada: British Columbia guidebook is a detailed standalone guide to the entirety of this exhilarating province. Twenty-three times the size of Switzerland but with only two-thirds the population, British Columbia excels for all manner of outdoor activities, characterful towns and First Nations culture amid stunning mountainous landscapes that include more national parks (seven, with another in the works) than any province.

The new Bradt Canada: British Columbia guidebook celebrates the remarkable range of fascinating things to do in this rich province, whether you are enjoying an extended holiday or simply passing through en route to Alaska:

• enjoy immense hiking opportunities – from day hikes to long-distance treks (including the Sunshine Coast Trail, Canada’s longest hut-to-hut hike), mountain climbs to historic paths (like the Chilkoot Trail);

• in the birthplace of heli-skiing, choose from more ski resorts (87) than any Canadian province or US state;

• hit Tofino’s waves for the best surfing north of California;

• enjoy stellar wildlife watching: Vancouver Island boasts North America’s highest concentration of pumas, ‘spirit bears’ (white variants of black bear) roam British Columbia’s fjord-indented coast, orcas are easily viewed from ferries and bald eagles winter abundantly in Squamish;

• deepen your appreciation of indigenous cultures: British Columbia has more than 200 individual First Nations, with histories dating back millennia; and

• discover the diverse, ever-evolving culinary scene – including what some consider the best Asian food outside Asia – of Vancouver, ranked the world’s joint-seventh most ‘liveable’ city.

Written by vastly experienced guidebook writer Brendan Sainsbury, who has lived in British Columbia since 2004, the new Bradt Canada: British Columbia guidebook bottles the essence of the province, drawing out off-beat attractions and stories – from gold-rush history and First Nations sites to Whistler’s art culture – alongside established places of interest. Deep local expertise enables detailed advice to be provided on a plethora of travel options alongside self-drive. There is also coverage of Alberta province’s Banff and Jasper national parks, included specifically to help those visiting the whole Canadian Rockies region. In short, Bradt’s Canada: British Columbia offers everything you could need for a rewarding, varied trip.