“The Winter Trail” is an essential piece of Nuxalk history. Sutkalhta is how people got in and out of our valley in the winter when the ocean was too rough to travel safely. If you guys wonder what the Nuxalk word is for the trail, it is “Sutkalhta.” This trail was used regularly before driving into Bella Coola became an option. Driving into Nuxalk Territory is a spectacular Experience.

From Vancouver, Bella Coola is approximately 1000 km (620 mi) north.

Directions: Follow Hwy 97 to Williams Lake and continue west on Hwy 20 for a 4-hour drive to Anahim Lake. Another 40 min. On a packed, dirt road to the top of what is affectionately known as “The Hill’.

The Hill is a 20-minute descent at slow speed, in low gear, to the valley floor. From there, it’s another 1 hour or so of relatively flat driving to the village of Bella Coola.