Gold Bridge

Gold Bridge is a small town nestled in the Bridge River Valley in British Columbia’s Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region, among the towering peaks of the South Chilcotin Mountains.

Outdoor activities abound in the area – hiking, fishing for Rainbow Trout, Eastern Brooke Trout, Kokanee & Bull Trout, mountain biking, horseback riding and more. Gold panning still attracts visitors to relive a small piece of the Cariboo Gold Rush. Touring bikes, ATVs and Jeeps, this is your playground! Several circle loops are available on a mix of paved and dirt roads. Hundreds of 4×4 roads and trails are found in the valley.

There are lots of winter activities in the area in addition to snowmobiling. Ice skating on a frozen lake when weather permits can be fun or try Ice Fishing for Brooke and Rainbow Trout. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the network of trails and logging roads is popular. Bralorne is the Sled HQ and many areas can be accessed directly from town. The Taylor Basin also offers great sledding. All destinations offer spectacular views and riding experiences.

Location

Gold Bridge is located in the Bridge River Valley, 105 km (65 mi) west of Lillooet and 300 km (186 mi) north of Vancouver. The valley is accessible by car, snowmobile, float plane and helicopter.

A Step Back in Time

The South Chilcotin has a rich and fascinating history, full of railways, ghost towns, flooded valleys, old mines, and trails. Since 1859, when gold was first discovered on Bridge River, this region has been home to miners and their families.

The big gold rush began in the 1930s at the Bralorne-Pioneer Mine near Gold Bridge. It was the richest gold claim in Canada, producing more than four million ounces of gold before it closed in 1971 and prompted the construction of a complete town. The mine has been abandoned for many years but recently there has been new mining activity in the area.

History buffs still find plenty of old ghost towns and abandoned mines to poke around in.