A Journey Beyond Time: Ancient Forest

Last weekend, my friends and I went on a small hike that brought great peace to our souls. Our route was the Ancient Forest / Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park, located about an hour north of Prince George, British Columbia. We spent a day in this magical forest where time seems to slow down and the trees stretch endlessly toward the sky. And honestly, I’m still under its spell.

We set out early in the morning. With laughter, music, and lively conversations in the car, the one-hour drive passed quickly. As we slowly parked in the lot at the forest entrance, we noticed there weren’t many cars around. Either we were a bit early, or the cloudy weather kept others away that day.

As we made our way toward the entrance, the main topic of our conversation was whether we might encounter a bear. Given the season, the chances of running into one during the hike were quite high. While discussing this among ourselves, we also asked people returning from their hikes if they had seen any bears. Thankfully, everyone said no, which helped ease our nerves a bit.

We were now at the forest’s entrance. And from the very first step, we were enchanted by the towering cedar trees that greeted us. Some of these trees are said to be over 1,000 years old! Truly a fitting name for an “ancient forest.” The entire trail was covered with a wooden boardwalk to make walking easier. Everything had been thoughtfully designed with care, without harming nature.

As we walked among the gigantic trees and lush greenery, it felt as if our footsteps were reaching back thousands of years. The only sounds we heard were birdsong, leaves rustling gently in the breeze, and the occasional murmur of water.

If you choose to take the longer version of the trail, you can also see the waterfall hidden within the forest. Naturally, we went for that option. To reach the waterfall, located roughly in the middle of the trail, you need to make a short climb. It wasn’t too difficult, and at the end of it, a powerful stream of water cascading down rocks awaited us.

It was truly a breathtaking sight. The sound of the water crashing down the rocks drowned out all the noise inside our minds. We stopped, watched, took photos, and rested. Also, it was noticeably cooler near the waterfall compared to the lower parts of the trail.

On the way back, we encountered a thrilling surprise: a massive bear footprint! Yes, a real, huge print left in the soil. At first, we were a little alarmed, but then we reminded ourselves that this is simply part of the forest’s natural ecosystem. After snapping a few photos, we continued on, making a bit more noise as we walked.

After the waterfall, the trail mostly went downhill. Alongside the majestic standing trees were fallen giants that had succumbed to the passage of time. Eventually, we reached the section that intersects with Nowell Senior Universal Boardwalk, a specially designed path for individuals with disabilities. This shorter route is accessible by wheelchair and quite easy to walk. We explored that part as well and completed our hike.

The trail is very suitable for hikers of all ages; families, children, seniors, nature-loving young people. We saw people from all walks of life during our walk.

The few hours we spent in the Ancient Forest reminded us not only of nature’s beauty, but also of its peaceful, healing power. When lost in the rush of modern life, sometimes just going to a forest is enough. Time slows down, thoughts quiet down, and you can truly breathe again.

If you’re heading to Ancient Forest from Prince George, keep in mind that there are no rest stops along the way. So be sure to bring water and snacks. If you forget, there’s a place called Joe Boo’s Fast n Fresh Mobile Eatery about 10 km east of the forest entrance on your way back. It may not look very inviting from the outside, but it’s an affordable spot where you can get a decent meal. If you’re unsure what to get, try the burgers!

For the latest information, trail updates, and tips for visiting the Ancient Forest, click here!