Western Canada Road Trips

The Tetsa and Toad Rivers carve a path through through northern British Columbia's densely forested mountains on the Alaska Highway (PR 97), creating pretty storybook valleys. Drive by Muncho Lake: It's so clear you can see pebbles on the bottom and so smooth it mirrors the surrounding mountains. Aspen and spruce march up the mountainsides in a deep green procession.

The silvery-blue Skeena River, known as the "River of Mists," glides close to Yellowhead Highway (Trans-Canada Highway 16) past steep cliffs and rocky outcroppings. Your drive cuts through the coastal rain forest, framed by mountains draped with dense forests and crowned with white peaks that melt to form towering waterfalls.

The sound of the wind sweeping through wheat fields greets you like a whispered hello on this byway, while canola fields filled with yellow blossoms interrupt serene green farmlands. Stop at a pullout to absorb the calming beauty of farm country along Saskatchewan's Scenic Yellowhead Highway (TCH 16).

Seasonal route: The road is subject to closure in winter. A few miles from the Yukon River ferry, ascend to the top of mountain ridges above the timberline on the Top of the World Scenic Highway (PR 9). Enjoy this expansive mountainous panorama on the well-maintained paved and gravel roadway. Although the trees remain green in the Yukon's early arriving fall, the brush explodes with color. Note: The road opens from mid-May to September, closing after the first snowfall.

Lower Okanagan Scenic Highway (PR 97) hugs mountain slopes as you journey through the Okanagan Valley. The steel blue Okanagan, Skaha and Vaseux lakes slide up next to the byway, connecting the route to the distant, rocky cliffs. Small towns, orchards and vineyards adorn the highway. Turnouts offer breathtaking views of mountains and sparkling ripples of water.