Old Cariboo Highway (Highway 97C)

The Old Cariboo Highway traces the original 1860s gold rush route through some of British Columbia’s most unforgiving terrain. This isn’t the sanitized modern Highway 97 — it’s the old alignment that drops into the Fraser Canyon with grades that’ll test your transmission and switchbacks carved from solid rock. The route connects Cache Creek to Lillooet via Pavilion, crossing the historic Alexandra Bridge suspension span where countless prospectors hauled their fortunes from the Cariboo goldfields.

Moderate difficulty demands high-clearance 4WD for washouts and loose rock sections, especially approaching Pavilion Mountain. Best tackled May through October when snow clears from higher elevations. Fuel up in Cache Creek — it’s 85 miles to Lillooet with limited services. Cell service vanishes in the canyon depths. What you get is pure BC history beneath your tires and views into the Fraser Canyon that few tourists ever witness. Dispersed camping available at multiple pullouts with river access.