An ambitious trail-building program over the past few years turned the Tumbler Ridge region into a new and attractive hiking destination. There are now nineteen trails to choose from, with a variety of destinations including waterfalls, alpine summits, dinosaur footprints, caves, rock gardens, swimming holes and a new wetland birding site. While two of the trails involve overnight trips, the rest vary from one to ten kilometers (return distance)

If approaching Tumbler Ridge from Dawson Creek (Hwy 52), there are three trails to watch out for. The fairly level Tepee Falls trail begins 35 kms from Tumbler Ridge, and leads for three kilometers (6 kms return) to this spectacular waterfall and canyon. Just a few kilometers further is the start of the interpretive Murray Canyon Overlook trail, also six kilometers long, with a memorable traverse along flower-filled meadows with great views of the Murray River way below. The third trail off this highway is to Quality Falls, 8 kilometers before Tumbler Ridge. It leads for just over a kilometer to a smaller waterfall with a unique ambience.

If coming in from Chetwynd via Hwy 29, watch for the Bullmoose Marshes trail 23 kilometers before Tumbler Ridge. Here two short trails leads through a wetland habitat to bird-viewing platforms. 

Seven kilometers before town is a signposted turnoff for hikers leading on a dirt road for eight kilometers to the Bergeron Falls and Cliffs trailhead. One hundred meter high Bergeron Falls is the highest waterfall in northern BC, and the ten kilometer (return distance) trail leads to magnificent view sites. The Bergeron Cliffs has some sensational moments, leading up the rim of this prominent cliff band to some superb views of the Murray River, Tumbler Ridge, and the Rocky Mountain foothills. 

Once in town, there are a number of local trails such as TR Point and The Bald Spot. A local favourite for swimming is Flatbed Falls. More recently built is the Flatbed Pools trail, to three delectable swimming holes. One of these has on a nearby rock the largest collection of dinosaur footprints in the province, with BC's longest dinosaur trackway visible nearby. These are best visited by guided tour. The same applies to the Wolverine Footprint Site with its rare dinosaur skin impressions (call the Visitor Info Centre at 242-3123 for details on tours.

Approximately thirty five kilometers into the mountains is an area with four exciting trails: Roman Mountain and Quintette Mountain trails lead hikers to the summits of these attractive alpine peaks, with tremendous views of the northern Rockies. Babcock Falls and the Boulder Gardens both offer appealing shorter hikes.

Further still into the mountains is Monkman Provincial Park, with Kinuseo Falls its best known feature. A series of short trails leads to various viewpoints here. While in the park, be sure to hike the Stone Corral Karst interpretive trail. This four kilometer long trail is moderately strenuous, but leads to twenty fascinating features, including two small caves, a remarkable trace fossil wall, limestone walls and an historic site.

Overnight hikes include the Monkman Lake trail with an offshoot to The Cascades, a series of ten consecutive falls on Monkman Creek. Further to the south there is the Wapiti-Onion Lakes trail in Wapiti Lake Provincial Park, with an overnight cabin available on the shores of Wapiti Lake.

Thirteen of these trails have been built by the Wolverine Nordic and Mountain Society, a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to celebrating and sharing the natural attractions of the Tumbler Ridge area. Visit its website: www.pris.bc.ca/wnms

Information brochures on these trails can be downloaded directly from this site

HIKING, TREKKING & HORSEBACK RIDING SERVICES IN TUMBLER RIDGE

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