Stewart-Granduc Road to Granduc Mine
Glaciers, ruins, and the edge of the map.
Stewart, BC, already feels like the edge of the world — wedged at the head of the Portland Canal on the Alaska border with glaciers hanging off every ridge. The Granduc Road pushes that edge further. Built in the 1960s to service the Granduc copper mine operation high in the Cambria Icefield, the road climbs aggressively north from Stewart through old-growth Sitka spruce and then into raw subalpine terrain where Berendon Glacier and Salmon Glacier crowd the route. Salmon Glacier — accessible on a spur off this general corridor — is one of the largest glaciers in Canada accessible by road and is reason enough alone to make the drive. The upper sections toward the Granduc mine site get genuinely rough: washed-out sections, creek crossings with no bridges, and avalanche debris fields that don’t always clear until late July.
Don’t underestimate this one. A capable 4WD rig with high clearance and a recovery kit is the minimum — the upper sections above the glacier viewpoints demand it. The road is decommissioned and unmaintained past the glacier viewpoints, so current conditions need to be scouted or sourced locally in Stewart before you commit. Fuel in Stewart before departure; there’s nothing past town. Best window is late July through September when avalanche risk is lower and creek levels have dropped. No permit required, dispersed camping available in the lower corridor. The combination of active glaciers, mining ruins, and true isolation makes this one of the most memorable drives in northwestern BC.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61 km |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5800 ft |
| Best season | Late July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Capable 4WD with high clearance and recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Stewart, BC |
| Land manager | BC Ministry of Forests / Natural Resources Canada |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum rig to run this trail — can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle it?
No. This trail demands a capable 4WD with genuine high clearance, a locker or limited-slip, skid plates, and a full recovery kit. A stock Tacoma with all-terrain tires is borderline at best — a lifted rig with lockers is the right call. Running this solo without recovery gear is a bad idea given the remoteness.
When does the Stewart-Granduc Road open each year, and is snow a real issue?
Late July through September is the reliable window — snow lingers well into summer at elevation and the trail tops out near 5,800 ft. Early July can still have significant snowpack blocking the upper sections. Check conditions locally in Stewart before you leave, because there's no one to call once you're in.
Do I need permits or pay any fees to drive this road?
No permit or fee is currently required to access the Stewart-Granduc Road for recreational use. The road falls under BC Ministry of Forests jurisdiction as a decommissioned industrial route — treat it as backcountry Crown land and follow Leave No Trace principles. Regulations can change, so a quick check with the BC Ministry of Forests Stewart office before your trip is worth the five-minute call.
What's the hardest section of this trail and what should I actually expect?
The upper alpine sections past the mid-route avalanche debris zones are where it gets serious — washed-out road bed, loose rock, and shelf road with significant exposure. Water crossings increase in difficulty as you gain elevation depending on snowmelt levels, and some crossings can be wheel-deep or worse in early season. The final push to the Granduc Mine site involves unstable terrain and requires careful line selection.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and should I carry extra fuel?
Stewart, BC is your last fuel stop before the trail — fill up there, full stop. The round trip is 76 miles of hard low-range driving, and fuel consumption in 4-low on technical terrain will hit your range hard. Carry at minimum a 5-gallon auxiliary can; the nearest next fuel beyond Stewart is Kitimat or Terrace, well over two hours away.
Trail track
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