The unpaved road to Telegraph Creek is a Canadian classic
Canada, north-america
110 km
849 m
hard
Year-round
Telegraph Creek, a small, largely indigenous settlement, sits pretty on the Stikine River in British Columbia. Getting there? Let's just say the road is an adventure in itself!
Built way back during the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1860s, the Telegraph Creek Road (Highway 51) is steeped in history. Telegraph Creek, home to the Tahltan First Nation, got its name from a planned telegraph line connecting Canada to the Yukon.
This 110km (68 miles) stretch winds east-west from Dease Lake (right off the Stewart-Cassiar Highway) to Telegraph Creek. Hugging the Stikine River, keep an eye out—it's known for washouts and the occasional rockslide.
Tucked away in northern BC, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Expect a narrow, steep mountain road that can hit a maximum gradient of 20%! Pavement gives way to compacted dirt and gravel at Km 4.7, offering a wilder experience. It can get slick when wet, but nothing a moderately experienced driver can't handle.
Topping out at 849m (2,785ft), be ready to test those brakes. The switchbacks have caused headaches for truckers over the years. Not ideal for large RVs or trailers, but most vehicles should be fine. Much of the road is a single track, so be prepared to use those tiny pull-outs.
Factor in 2-3 hours for the drive, without stops. The reward? Stunning views of the Stikine River. With sheer cliffs plunging down to the water, photo opportunities are everywhere. In town, you'll find old buildings dating back to the gold rush era, some restored, some abandoned. Photo by Ken Welte.
Where is it?
The unpaved road to Telegraph Creek is a Canadian classic is located in Canada (north-america). Coordinates: 56.0683, -103.0403
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 110 km
- Max Elevation
- 849 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 56.0683, -103.0403
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