Imagine yourself overlooking a spectacular valley, the mountains in the distance and no crowds to distract you from being surrounded by nature and truly experiencing how awe-inspiring the landscape surrounding Terrace is. Adventure touring is a unique way to explore some of the most untouched wilderness in Canada. For locals and visitors alike, this rugged region is a gateway for those seeking solitude, discovery, and the freedom of truly getting off the beaten path.
“It’s all about the freedom of pitching a tent wherever you are and being totally self-sufficient,” says Golnoosh Namazi, an avid adventure bike rider and Terrace local.
Namazi is drawn to the lure of exploration, self-sufficiency and the opportunity to explore places that adventure touring offers.
Equipped with dual-sport adventure bikes—machines with beefy suspension, knobby tires, and room for essential gear—riders tend to head out prepared for anything. Whether navigating remote forest service roads or cresting mountain passes, the sense of exploration is an incredible draw.
One of the most unique aspects of adventure touring in northwestern BC is the sheer number of backroads and trails waiting to be discovered.
“A lot of the roads aren’t really well-traveled—it gives a bit of a final frontier vibe,” Says Namazi. “Sometimes, nobody has been down that road all season.”
The Cranberry Connector, a local favorite, links Highway 37 to Kispiox via Mitten Forest Service Road. The unpaved road takes you through the lava beds in the Nass Valley – a landscape like no other. Weaving its way through kilometers of lichen and moss covered lava left from an explosion 175 years ago, you can’t have this kind of an experience anywhere else in BC.
Terrace experiences long summer days – with the sun rising before 6 a.m. and at the peak of summer, the sun sets as late as 11 p.m. The long days gives riders the opportunity to explore vast distances in one day.
“You can keep riding until 11 o’clock at night with a little bit of light,” says Namazi. “I’ve done days where I rode up to Stewart, had lunch, and came back. And sometimes, I don’t know where I’ll end up—it’s the freedom of an open-ended day.”
Adventure touring here is as much about the journey as the destination. Riders regularly encounter wildlife such as bears, moose, lynx, and wolves, and each trip can bring unexpected surprises.
Surrounded by big mountains, towering cedar and spruce trees, the landscape is a love letter to adventure and solitude. Even when touring in a small group, the serenity you can find on area backroads is something special to share.
“I’ve gone for sunset rides where I’m on top of a mountain, completely alone. The nearest human is 150 kilometers away. It’s an experience you can’t get in many other places.”
Adventure touring is also something incredible to experience with friends. But it takes experience and preparation. Riders often carry camping gear, water filtration systems, and tools for fixing flats or other breakdowns. A GPS and an InReach device are essential for navigation and emergency communication. Riders should only take on what is in their comfort zone, have a backup plan, and always tell someone where they are going.
The riding season in the Terrace area typically runs from June to August, with higher elevations still snowbound until late spring. Forest service roads lead to remote camping spots and recreation sites, offering both structured and wild camping options. And for those looking to venture even farther afield, this region is a gateway to legendary rides like the journey to Alaska.
Adventure touring truly is about embracing the journey, not just the destination. Terrace is the hub of the northwest and located in a region that has a long history of forestry. Between roads leading toward the coast, up to the Nass Valley or further north to Alaksa, and the vast network of forestry roads, Terrace is ideally located for endless adventure touring opportunities.
Adventure bike riders are a friendly bunch – if you another adventure bike on the road, don’t hesitate to connect—you’re sharing a bond of exploration that knows no boundaries.
