The Stewart-Cassiar Highway one of the most scenic, under-the-radar destinations when it comes to long distance motorcycle journeys. Cutting its way through British Columbia for 543 miles, from the town of Kittimak to the southern border of the Yukon Territory, the highway showcases some of the most beautiful stretches of paved road in Canada.
The highway came as a result of a series of roadway extensions in the late 60’s and early 70’s, with the first section being a spur route from the Alaska Highway to the mines surrounding Dease Lake . Further extensions were constructed to provide access to the prime logging areas further south until finally reaching the existing highway network at Meziadin Junction in 1973. The Stewart-Cassiar now provides an interesting and less trafficked alternative to the Alaska Highway.
Planning your Ride on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway While almost all of the highway is paved (there’s roughly one mile of gravel along the whole route), you will still need to take some precautions. The weather in this part of Canada can be quite variable, so it’s important that you come prepared for fluctuating temperatures and unpredictable rain showers.
There’s also some lengthy stretches between towns – triple check every part of your bike before setting off in the morning. If something goes wrong, it might be a while before another motorist passes by (and a good chance they won’t be able to transport your ride to the mechanic). Knowledge of basic motorcycle maintenance is critical when riding an isolated route like the Stewart-Cassiar Highway.
Fuel As this is some fairly remote territory, you’ll want to be especially careful with your fuel consumption. You can top off at Meziadan Junction (169km), Bell II Lodge (249km), Iskut (405km), Dease Lake (480km) and the Yukon border (727 km). If something should break down the sole mechanic on this route is located at Dease Lake. Only the final section from Dease Lake to the Yukon Border is far enough to necessitate carrying extra fuel, but you’ll want to be cautious for the entire length of the trip and carry a reserve jerry can.
Accommodations and Food A warm bed and meal can be hard to find along the Stewart-Cassiar Highway. The best places to spend the night are probably at the Bell II Lodge and Dease Lake. The former has rooms for just over $200 and the later has a few options for less than $80. If you’re looking for something less expensive and have all the gear to be self sufficient, the provincial parks at Kinasakan Lake, Meziadin Lake, and Boya Lake are probably your best bet.
Sights Despite its isolated position, the Stewart-Cassiar Highway has a surprising number of attractions, the famous of which is the Gitanyow Historical Village , about 25km from the start of the highway. The village is an excellent place to learn about the Gitanyow First Nations people and it’s home to one of the largest collection of totem poles in British Columbia.
Riders interested in jewelry will definitely want to make a stop at Jade City , 115km north of Dease Lake. The area around it has significant jade deposits and the town’s store has some incredibly knowledgeable gem experts who can talk to you about the area’s history and their shiny wares. Nearby is the ghost town of Cassiar , an asbestos mining town in its heyday, but now it’s just a cluster of abandoned cabins that are well worth a couple hours of exploration.
Near Watson Lake – Photo Credit: Adam Jones / CC BY Black Bear – Photo Credit: Murray Foubister / CC BY Watson Lake – Photo Credit: Adam Jones / CC BY Featured Image of Stewart-Cassiar Highway – Photo Credit: Bruce McKay / CC BY
