Telkwa

Telkwa is located along British Columbia Highway 16, about 15 kilometers southeast of Smithers. People started settling here around 1904, originally in a townsite called Aldermere up on the hill. But by 1907, folks began moving down closer to the water and where they thought the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway would go. The name Telkwa might be an Indigenous term meaning "meeting of the waters," which makes sense with the Bulkley and Telkwa Rivers meeting right here.

According to the 2021 census, Telkwa had a population of 1,474 people, which was an 11.1% increase from 2016. If you're interested in the town's history, you can check out the Telkwa Museum or tour the old Aldermere town site. Every Labour Day weekend, there's an annual barbecue and demolition derby. There's also Eddy Park by the river, with a gazebo right off the highway if you want to sit and watch the Bulkley River. You can also find four trails here, including the 8 km Hunter Basin Road and the 51 km Telkwa Pass Trail. The Via Rail train also stops at the Telkwa railway station multiple times a week.