The Murray Canyon Overlook Hiking Trail is well signposted thirty kilometers north of Tumbler Ridge on the Heritage Highway. It is an out-and-back trail, three kilometers each way. An interpretive booklet available at the trailhead identifies twelve points of interest on the way.
For the first half the trail leads through a variety of forest types, then it unexpectedly breaks out into the open with an expansive view of the Rocky Mountain foothills, with peaks in the distance and the Murray River flowing through its canyon over 300 meters below.
The second half of the trail is an improved elk trail, a sensational traverse along open grassy slopes filled with wildflowers in summer. Rest points allow one to savour the varying views of the canyon of one of BC's remaining untouched rivers.
The trail was built by an E-team in 2000. It is mostly level; only those with a severe difficulty with heights or balance problems may want to avoid the exposed second half.
For more trails in the Tumbler Ridge area, please reference "Tumbler Ridge, Enjoying it's History, Trails, and Wilderness", by Charles Helm. You can also use the trailpeak search engine and type in "Tumbler Ridge" in the "near city" field to find a few other samples.
