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Activities
All trail users should be alert for other trail users and for wildlife. Please be courteous - everyone is out there to have an enjoyable experience. This is wild country, not a manicured park. There is no cellular phone coverage in the area. All trail users should be knowledgeable in backcountry skills and should be equipped with emergency equipment and adequate food and clothing. Be prepared for rough conditions, including weather which can change rapidly. Leave a detailed itinerary with a responsible person before embarking on any backcountry trail adventure.
Hiking
All of the trails shown on these maps can be hiked, and you should base your hiking decisions on how much time you have available and what type of area you would like to see. You are encourage to peruse the areas to get a sense of the type of route you would like to experience.With the great new Mountain Trails Network there is something for every skill level.
For shorter hikes try Cornish Mountain, the Cariboo Waggon Road to Richfield or the Mountain Valley Trail. For a full day of alpine meadows and scenic vistas try Two Sisters Mountain, the Yellowhawk or Jubilee Trails up Mt. Murray, or one of several loop routes possible in the Mt. Agnes/Groundhog Lake area including the newly opened Cow Mountain Ditch trail.Remember that Wildlife is abundant in our area, and trail users users should be familiar with wildlife encounter procedures. It is recommended that bear spray is carried and that you are familiar with its use. In order to avoid surprise encounters, make noise and travel in groups.Keep children and pets close to the group.
Cornish Mountain Hiking trails
Wells-Barkerville Hiking trails
Stanley-Barkerville Hiking trails
Outskirts Hiking trails
Mt. Biking
The Wells Mt. Trail Network has a large number of professionally built Mt. Biking Trails. Read over the trail descriptions to get an idea of what type of trail you would like to ride on. Some trails are huge loops that take you into the remote backcountry, while others are shorter family-friendly rides close to town. The 17 kilometer Cornish Mountain loop is a good morning workout or a great way to finish the day. The Sugar Creek loop provides 45 kilometers of mixed technical double track riding, while the Atan-Chisel Lake Loop is 62 kilometers of non-technical back road cruising with excellent views. With numerous lakes and rivers in the area the Wells, Barkerville, Bowron Lakes region has endless opportunities for canoeists and fishers. Exercise caution on all trails, and respect other trail users. Cyclists should keep their speed in control, especially when approaching blind corners and rises where you can't see if there are hikers, on-coming cyclists, motorized users, or wildlife on the trail. Wildlife is abundant in our area. Trail users should be familiar with wildlife encounter procedures. It is recommended that bear spray is carried and that you are familiar with its use. In order to avoid surprise encounters, make noise and travel in groups. Keep children and pets close to the group.
Cornish Mountain Mt. Biking trails
Wells-Barkerville Mt. Biking trails
Stanley-Barkerville Mt. Biking trails
Outskirts Mt. Biking trails
Skiing
Winter is a magical time here in the Cariboo Mountains. It is not unusual for us to get over 20 feet of snowfall during a season. The Cornish Mountain Non-Motorized Trail Network includes 25 kilometers of groomed and ungroomed trails for all ability levels. The network travels through an interesting wetland where moose, ptarmigan and wintering swans are sometimes seen and then climbs the forested slopes of Cornish Mountain for fabulous views of the surrounding mountains. Some of the trails are track-set in the winter. Track-setting is done on an as-needed basis by volunteers, and depending on recent weather conditions, track-set trails may be in less than perfect condition. Be sure to make your way up for the annual Wells Snowman Gourmet Ski Tour, a fantastic family-friendly event that involves skiing and eating in the local trail network.
With all that fluffy snow, the powder hounds take to the mountains. There are several popular areas for backcountry skiing, telemarking and snowboarding, including Mt. Agnes and Mt. Murray. The Cariboo Ski Touring Club operates huts in the Mt. Murray area, and both areas are easily accessible for day trips from Wells and Barkerville. Click here for current skiing conditions.
Cornish Mountain Skiing trails
Wells-Barkerville Skiing trails
Stanley-Barkerville Skiing trails
Outskirts Skiing trails
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a great way to explore the Mt. Trail Network. Whether you are interested in sticking on the marked routes or venturing through a short cut, with all the snow that we get up here, put on a pair of snowshoes and you can go almost anywhere! Remember to leave a detailed itinerary with somebody if you are planning a backcountry adventure.
Cornish Mountain Snowshoeing trails
Wells-Barkerville Snowshoeing trails
Stanley-Barkerville Snowshoeing trails
Outskirts Snowshoeing trails
Dog Sledding
One of the most interesting winter time activities in the area is Dog Sledding. Take advantage of the miles of groomed trails to tour the winter backcountry in this enduring sport.Dog sledders from right across the world come to Wells to take part in the prestigious Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run, scheduled annually for the fourth weekend in January on a trail that starts in Quesnel and ends in Wells.
Cornish Mountain Dog Sledding trails
Wells-Barkerville Dog Sledding trails
Stanley-Barkerville Dog Sledding trails
Outskirts Dog Sledding trails
ATVing
For multi-use summer/fall trails be sure to check out the great quading and 4x4ing activities that are available throughout the area. The Sugar Creek Loop is a great choice for a backcountry tour. This 39 kilometre loop provides a scenic day trip through the mountains and valleys surrounding Wells, and the route is easy enough that riders from all skill levels can participate.
Please be aware that on any of the trails, you may encounter other trail users, so keep speeds under control and approach blind sections cautiously.In the past, ATV use has caused significant damage to trails and the surrounding environment. Although it is the minority of ATV riders who cause this damage, ATV use has been restricted in some areas because of this problem. In particular, ATV use has caused significant damage in alpine areas, where the ability of the natural environment to recover is very limited.
ATV riders should ensure that their machines carry proper licensing.
Cornish Mountain ATVing trails
Wells-Barkerville ATVing trails
Stanley-Barkerville ATVing trails
Outskirts ATVing trails
Snowmobiling
Snowmobile use is permitted on many trails in the area. By using the specially designated snowmobile corridor through the community snowmobilers can gas-up and reach their accommodation without having to load up their snowmobiles. Riding opportunities include hill climbing at Mt. Agnes, alpine riding at Bald Mountain or Yanks Peak and trail touring from Prince George, Likely or Quesnel. Our area is home to red-listed Mountain Caribou. Snowmobilers must familiarize themselves with Caribou Closure Areas and avoid these areas and any Caribou that you may encounter outside of these areas.
Trails are groomed on a regular basis and trail passes are available at local outlets in Wells as well as at a specially designed snowmobiler check-in near the entrance of Wells. For more information, including up to date snow conditions be sure to check out the Wells Snowmobile Club website. The Wells Snowmobile Club has more detailed information on snowmobile use and services in the area. Snowmobiling is a great way to get into the back country that would be difficult to access in any other way. Remember that many of the trails are shared use - please be courteous to other trail users such as skiers and snowshoers.
Cornish Mountain Snowmobiling trails
Wells-Barkerville Snowmobiling trails
Stanley-Barkerville Snowmobiling trails
Outskirts Snowmobiling trails
