Motor Cycle Touring
To Begin your Tour
Quiet Coastal Byways
Gravel Roads
Drinking and Driving in British Columbia
Main Highway Routes
Distances from Campbell River
North West to Gold River on Highway 28
North to Port Hardy on Highway 19
South to Mount Washington on Strathcona Parkway
“They ride along the Pacific Coast Highway they take off their helmets and scream at the 100 K’s with their heads back and their eyes open they’re free and on their own and it’s cold and dark and the wind is in their faces and they’re in love and they still dream, still dream.”
– Bright Shiny Morning, James Frey
To Begin your Tour
Exercise your passion and enter a world of new and exciting outdoor adventure on motorcycles; enjoy the majestic landscape of Northern Vancouver Island’s 
premier motor cycle routes. Whether you are interested in shorter day trips or a marathon of road warrior activity, you will not only find the amenities you need within these pages but you will enjoy the local flavour no matter what community you stop to rest in.
Quiet Coastal Byways
For the motorcycle enthusiast there is no better way to explore the vast beauty of the countryside. We will lead you through routes through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Through Provincial parks, along lakes and rivers, over mountains and along sea coasts, northern Vancouver Island has it all. Visit rain forests and vast beaches, towering old growth and alpine ridges, small communities or bustling metropolitan centers, we have it all.
Each destination offers entirely different riding experiences and Vancouver Island North is no exception to the high quality experience you will enjoy here.
Gravel Roads
Vancouver Island’s Terrain is very rugged and the quality of many gravel roads reflect this, some roads such as the Zeballos Highway are gravel from the connection just north of Woss on Highway 19 all the way to Zeballos, the road to Telegraph Cove only has a short gravel connector while Holberg has several hours of well packed gravel travel.
Drinking and Driving in British Columbia
In British Columbia the blood alcohol limit is .05 or higher, (50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood). Drinking and driving on BC highways is considered a criminal offense.
With roadside screening, police can now issue an immediate roadside prohibition to any impaired driver with a blood alcohol limit of .05 or higher. The costs related to these offenses can add up to an estimated $600 – 4,060 – even if it’s the first time a driver is caught. Failing or refusing a breathalyzer test could also result in criminal charges. For more on drinking and driving visit the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia’s direct link.
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia - Impaired Penalties
Police roadblocks are frequently employed on major highways and connector routes.
Main Highway Routes
suitable for motor cycle travel from Campbell River are:
- North West to Gold River on Highway 28
- North to Port Hardy on Highway 19
- South to Mount Washington on Strathcona Parkway
North West to Gold River (Highway 28)
Link to Google MapsDescription: This route is rated among the top in Canada as a destination highway. As you exit the city of Campbell River it quickly becomes apparent that you are entering a new world. The vistas that follow are spectacular and never abate the entire route.
Before you encounter Strathcona Park you will already be in awe of the magnificence of the mountainous relief. From the summit of Kings Peak to the confluence of the Elk River into Buttle Lake, there is definitely something at every turn of this highway to capture your attention. Those facts in addition to the excellent condition of the highway, the twists and turns at very corner, the well maintained surface of the road and the distinct lack of traffic rate this route as second to none in the province.
Click on the picture to see a
You-tube video on touring the Gold River highway
The town of Gold River itself presents a wealth of opportunity, a clean modern riverside community proposes a multitude of outdoor pursuits with easy access to the world’s best salmon and halibut fishing.
If your passion is caving then Upana Caves is the place to start, or note the quick access to Strathcona Provincial Park’s unique Crest Creek Climbing Crags to practice the art of Rock Climbing or take as stroll along the excellent pathways just watch the climbers. There are dozens of trails in the Park to explore and if you would like a relaxing day out try for an ocean cruise aboard the MV Uchuck to Nootka Sound, the historically famed landing site of Captain Cook.
Gold River has a number of excellent accommodation properties, the food is excellent at the local pub and they have one of the best recreational facilities I have ever seen for a community of this size.
Access: From the northern intersection of Highway 19 and Highway 19A head west to Gold River.
Distance: from Campbell River: 88.4 kilometers, 1 hour 37 minutes
This is one heck of a great ride, with a curvy but well maintained paved highway, incredible vistas and very little traffic.
Hazards: Watch for fallen rocks on the road, there are often small landslides and debris. Winding roads and blind corners are everywhere and it is not unusual to have surprise encounters with the local wildlife including 1500 lb Roosevelt Elk and numerous Black Bear.
This highway is also the main artery for the NVI mines and Quints Coal Mine, beware of heavy ore trucks traveling south east to Campbell River.
North to Port Hardy (Highway 19)
Link to Google MapsAccess: Leaving Campbell River and heading north to Highway 19, takes you on the scenic ride to Port McNeill, along the way the village of Sayward, the turnoff
presents itself about 40 minutes north of Campbell River. There are several small and remote communities that present themselves on the route north.The entire stretch of Highway 19 north of Campbell River is an undivided two-lane configuration, is paved and stage well maintained washroom facilities and rest stops along the way.
Distances from Campbell River:
- Sayward - 73.9 kilometers, 1 hour 15 minutes
- Woss - 129 kilometers, 1 hour 50 minutes
- Zeballos (Gravel Road) - 192 kilometers, 3 hours 33 minutes
- Telegraph Cove (Some Gravel Road) - 202 kilometers, 3 hours 10 minutes
- Port McNeill - 196 kilometers, 2 hours 53 minutes
- Port Hardy - 233 kilometers, 3 hours 27 minutes
- Port Alice - 245 kilometers, 3 hours 48 minutes
- Holberg (Gravel Road) - 278 kilometers, 4 hours 53 minutes
Hazards: Beware of wildlife, especially Roosevelt Elk and Bear who are frequently seen in these areas, there are certain areas such as the Nimpkish Valley that are famous for their frequent and unpredictable winds. Also in late season some areas especially around the Eve River can be particularly slippery when wet or frozen.
History: This highway was initially built in 1912. Originally, gravel and rough, the highway was an essential link to the North Island combined with the E & N railway. In 1953 the highway was first opened, and then in 1970 the highway was paved and completed.
Sayward (Highway 19)
Link to Google MapsDescription: This is a worthwhile side trip. this unique coastal community is nestled between high mountain peaks and is the site where the Salmon River meets Johnstone Strait.
Many would say that the beauty of this British Columbia rain coast paradise is matched only by the warmth of the people who live there. With outdoor recreation galore, Sayward offers many opportunities in and directly around the village, including sport fishing charters, killer whale watching tours, wildlife viewing, world class caving and more.
There is also a variety of great places to eat, clean accommodations and a couple of pubs for relaxation. This makes for some great salmon fishing but also presents a golden opportunity for some excellent bird watching should you be interested.
Access: From highway 19 turn east on the Sayward connector
Distance: from Campbell River: 73.9 kilometers, 1 hour 15minutes
Hazards: The Salmon River is famous for its flash flooding, when the weather is inclement and you are riding close to the river keep your eyes out, river levels can increase so dramatically as to catch people off guard. Also watch for Roosevelt Elk, this is their prime territory and keep in mind when you see one you are likely to see a whole herd.
Woss (Highway 19)
Link to Google MapsDescription: Located in the Nimpkish Valley; Woss is a small community with a small contingent of residence, a restaurant, a pub and a motel. Woss Lake Provincial Park was established in 1995. A 66.34 kilometer square park whose landscape includes the southern portion of Woss Lake as well as very steep forested slopes above the lake and the permanent snowfields and north facing slopes of Rugged Mountain.
Access: From highway 19, turn right on the Woss connector, the town centre is a brief 1/2 block from the turnoff.
Distance: from Campbell River: 129 kilometers, 1 hour 50 minutes
Hazards: Wildlife.
Zeballos (Highway 19)
Link to Google MapsDescription: The discovery of gold in Zeballos in the 1920’s set off a massive influx of miners and adventurers.
Traveling from Campbell River the turnoff to Zeballos is a couple of kilometers past the Woss turnoff on the west side of the road. The 40 kilometers of gravel logging road is well maintained and continues past Zeballos to Fair Harbour.
The forest cloaked mountains surround the community at the head of Zeballos Inlet, gateway to Nootka Sound. This quaint community to this day carries the ambiance of a turn of the century gold mining town but presents a myriad of opportunity for the outdoor enthusiast and the sight seer alike.
Access: On the left hand side of the road a few short kilometers from the Woss turn off, there is a well marked sign on a gravel road.
Distance: from Campbell River: 192 kilometers, 3 hours 33 minutes
Hazards: Gravel roads, windfalls and after heavy rains rock slides, road washes and rocks on the road, wildlife.
Telegraph Cove (Highway 19)
Link to Google MapsDescription: This community only has 20 permanent residents, however; in the summer the numbers swell to hundreds if not thousands of visitors. Located 210 kilometers (130 mi) northwest of Campbell River, Telegraph Cove is a former fishing and cannery village.
There are charming historic cabins for rent, Vancouver Island’s only Whale museum and kayaks and Canoes are available for rent in the Cove. The local Marina offers excellent meals (seasonal) and you can engage in a Grizzly Bear or Whale Watching tour during early summer to late autumn months. Telegraph Cove is a must see for visitors wanting to view the splendid beauty of Vancouver Island, including the Broughton Archipelago.
Access: Approximately 40 minutes north of the Woss turnoff there is a well marked side road on the right, that leads to a nicely maintained paved road.
Distance: from Campbell River: 202 kilometers, 3 hours 10 minutes
Hazards: Possible windfalls, wildlife.
Port McNeill (Highway 19)
Link to Google MapsDescription: Considered the central hub for the North Island Port McNeill is the access point for the villages of Alert Bay (Cormorant Island) and Sointula (Malcolm Island) via BC Ferries which run daily. A popular tourism destination during the summer for the population of resident Orcas, a large population of black bear, cougar and dear, the town also features the world’s largest burl.
With a population of over 2500 people, Port McNeill is surrounded by two million hectares of forested land; this richly endowed region is home to a multitude of opportunities for recreation and considered a prime location for tourism
development, boasting some of the best cold water diving in the world just for starts.The active small business sector includes a number of well appointed restaurants and accommodation products as well as dive charter companies, fishing companies and whale watching companies.
Access: Considered a major intersection, the turnoff to Port McNeill is approximately 25 minutes north of the Telegraph Cove turnoff on the right hand side of the highway.
Distance: from Campbell River: 196 kilometers, 2 hours 53 minutes
Hazards: On route high winds and wind tunnels, wildlife.
Port Hardy (Highway 19)
Link to Google MapsDescription: Known as the last bastion of civilization on the wild north end of Vancouver Island. The town has a fascinating blue-collar history and a bright green ecotourism future. The arrive and departure point for BC Ferries service to Prince Rupert and the ferry/highway system leading north to Alaska makes Port Hardy an excellent destination for motor cycle touring as the intrepid explorer may continue on to the circle route of the entire province from this point.
With restaurants, art galleries, accommodations and a with rich aboriginal cultural attractions Port Hardy also has the added advantage of being the designated gear up point for the famous Cape Scott Provincial Park trail.
As a motor cycle enthusiast you could spend a great deal of time just exploring the highways and byways from this vantage point.
Access: Continue to follow highway 19, which ends at the Port Hardy government dock.
Distance: from Campbell River: 233 kilometers, 3 hours 27 minutes
Hazards: On route high winds and wind tunnels, wildlife.
Port Alice (Highway 19)
Link to Google MapsDescription: A picturesque community with a unique history continues to transition from a booming forestry town to a small and friendly rural community. This well maintained paved highway is a sight to behold with wildlife encounters and magical vistas at every turn.
The town itself is primarily supported by the Fulida Group Holdings Cellulose Mill, whose owners are committed to growing the industry within the town for the prosperity of all and Western Forest Products whose stronghold in the industry breaches decades. A vibrant industry presence equates to a strong local service sector, including health care, accommodation and tourism related enterprises.
Access: From highway 19 a well marked intersection on the right hand side of the road.
Distance: from Campbell River: 245 kilometers, 3 hours 48 minutes
Hazards: On route high winds and wind tunnels, wildlife, and mudslides after heavy rain.
Holberg (Highway 19)
Link to Google MapsDescription: This rainy, isolated little known community boasts its survival on the Cape Scott Provincial Park and the San Josef Bay trail. Difficult to reach, the destination that is Holberg is a slow several hours along a gravel road. But if you prevail you will find the hospitality second to none anywhere else in the world. Make sure your tires are good and you have a well functioning spare tire. You might need it.
Access: From Highway 19 turn down the first left after Coal Harbour Road, immediately after Bear Cove Highway.
Distance: from Campbell River: 278 kilometers, 4 hours 53 minutes
Hazards: On route high winds and wind tunnels and wildlife. this route is particularly known for its mudslides and road wash outs after heavy rain.
South to Mt Washington (Highway 19A to Strathcona Parkway)
Link to Google MapsDescription: This cruise offers vistas of the Georgia Strait that you could not get anywhere else. With the elevation gain you have the opportunity to see the Coast Range of Mountains in a way that is not available anywhere else. You can see as far south as Nanaimo, north to Campbell River and east to Powell River, the islands scattered along the coast and the marine traffic that passes through the discovery passage.
Mount Washing Alpine Resort itself offers a myriad of activities for all seasons.
Access: This road is 19 kilometers in length from the highway 19 connector at exit #130. the highway gains about 3500 feet in elevation in its entirety and ends at the parking lot of the Mount Washington Alpine Resort.
Distance: from Campbell River: 42.6 kilometers, 1 hour 4 minutes
Hazards: Twisty road, very steep in spots, may be lots of traffic.
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