Bicycling the Trans Canada Trail in Northeast BC along the Alaska Highway

Entering from Alberta near the small community of Clayhurst, the trail follows rural roads south for 67 kms, crossing the Peace River, passing through Rolla, and arriving to Dawson Creek. At this point, the TCT joins Dawson Creek’s Rotary Trail through the city, bypassing all the city traffic. The trail route joins the Alaska Highway for most of its 968 km – through Fort St John, Fort Nelson, and various other communities before arriving to the Yukon border between Lower Post and Watson Lake – the only exception is a short detour at Kaskatinaw Provincial Park between Dawson Creek and Fort St. John; the highway bridge is narrow and the route uses the original highway bridge which lies further north.

The Alaska Highway was constructed during World War II for the purpose of connecting the contiguous U.S. to Alaska through Canada. Though the highway was completed in 1942, it was only opened to the public in 1948. The surface is now paved along its entire length.

Canada’s great open wilderness lines the road and travelers are sure to encounter some interesting wildlife. Be sure to rest up along the beautiful shore of Muncho Lake and even take advantage of the opportunity to explore some of the abandoned stretches of the “old Alaska Highway” which have been bypassed as the current highway continues to be improved and straightened over the years.

When you finally reach the border after about 1000 kilometres, there’s no doubt you’ll realize why Yukon’ers refer to the rest of the country as “the Outside”!