Bella Coola Valley Road
The Hill—18% grades, no guardrails, pure exposure
Freedom Road, as locals call it, was hand-built by Bella Coola residents in the 1950s when the government refused to connect them to the outside world. The legendary section known simply as “The Hill” descends 5,000 feet in 43 kilometers with grades hitting 18% and hairpin turns cut into raw mountainsides with zero guardrails. You’ll drop through three climate zones, from alpine plateau through coastal temperate rainforest to tidewater, passing Burnt Bridge Creek and the old Hagensborg settlement where Norwegian immigrants tried to farm this impossible valley in 1894.
This is serious mountain driving requiring low gear, good brakes, and steady nerves—RVs and trailers are prohibited for good reason. Highway 20 stays open year-round but chains are mandatory in winter. Stock vehicles handle it fine in good weather, but the exposure and grades demand respect. What you earn is access to wild Pacific salmon runs, First Nations petroglyphs, and the satisfaction of completing one of Canada’s most dramatic descents from plateau to sea.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | Historic, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 280 mi / 450 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5000 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Any vehicle with good brakes |
| Nearest town | Williams Lake, BC |
| Land manager | BC Ministry of Transportation |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | www2.gov.bc.ca |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock sedan or low-clearance vehicle handle The Hill section?
Any vehicle with solid brakes can technically drive it, but low-clearance rigs will struggle on the rougher gravel sections beyond The Hill. High-clearance is a real advantage once you're deeper into the valley. Don't attempt this with worn brakes — the 18% descent will find them out fast.
When does the road typically open and close each year?
May through October is the reliable window. Snow can close the upper sections well into spring and return early in fall. Check BC Ministry of Transportation road conditions before you leave Williams Lake — conditions change fast at elevation.
Do I need any permits or pay fees to drive Highway 20 / Bella Coola Valley Road?
No permits or fees required to drive the road itself — it's a public BC highway maintained by the Ministry of Transportation. If you're camping in parks along the route like Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, normal BC Parks camping fees apply.
How bad is The Hill really — what's the scariest part?
The Hill is a 7% to 18% grade descent with no guardrails, blind switchbacks, and sheer drop-offs inches from your tires. The scariest stretch is the initial plunge off the Chilcotin Plateau — fully exposed, narrow, and unforgiving if you meet oncoming traffic in a bad spot. Gear down, take it slow, and don't trust your mirrors alone.
How far is it between fuel stops, and is there reliable gas in Bella Coola?
Williams Lake to Bella Coola is roughly 450 km with very limited fuel in between — Anahim Lake is your only realistic mid-route stop. Bella Coola has fuel but don't bank on extended hours. Top off every chance you get and carry a jerry can if your rig is thirsty.
Trail track
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