Experience Farm-to-Table at its Freshest from Rainforest To Rockies

One of the world’s most iconic journeys, Rainforest to Rockies is a trip of your own making across the province by train, hiking, biking or driving. The routes lead travellers past the ocean into temperate rainforest and valleys ascending to mountain vistas. Within this dynamic ecosystem, sprawling agricultural lands beckon visitors with charming farm stays, field-to-fork culinary experiences, and spectacular wineries.

Below are three enticing itineraries centred on sustainable, must-try food and wine experiences exploring different sections of the Rainforest to Rockies route. Each journey promises a leisurely pace, locally sourced cuisine, and opportunities to learn from stewards of the land. Cheers to savouring every moment.

What you need to know about BC’s epic Rainforest to Rockies cross-province journey:

• Traverse the province west to east, immersing in nature and culture, from the ocean to the mountains
• Three main driving routes start in Vancouver, averaging seven to 10 days
• Pre-made itineraries make it easy to pick and plan!

Rainforest to Rockies: North to Mount Robson

Journeying up to Whistler, Cache Creek, Kamloops, and Clearwater, this regional adventure follows the Sea-to-Sky Highway, leading travellers from sea level to summit, canyons to cacti—all accompanied by a hearty dash of terroir-driven cuisine at local farms.

Farm and Food:

• New – Unique Slow Rise Bakery in Squamish serves authentic Hong Kong-inspired eats, including dim sum and baked goods, at a cozy outdoor café. Menu items span pillowy pineapple and coconut buns, veggie and meat dumplings with unusual ingredients (think black fungus and jicama), and milk teas.
• Bee Wild Paradise Valley Farm near Squamish is a permaculture-inspired apiary that nurtures happy honeybees, plants flowers for pollinators, and produces raw, unpasteurized BC honey. New – Guests can step into protective suits, inspect the beehives, and taste the apiary’s handcrafted honey.
  Where to stay: A laid-back lodge at Sun Wolf Cabins. On the banks of the Cheakamus and Cheekye rivers, this laid-back rustic lodge features cabins with vaulted ceilings and gas fireplaces. Located 3.3 km from Squamish Airport and 14 km from the town of Squamish.

• Xwísten Experience Tours, located north of Lillooet and owned and operated by the Bridge River Indian Band, invites guests to explore two sites of historical significance to the Xwísten (Bridge River) People: fishing grounds still used by the St’ t’imic People to harvest salmon, and an archaeological village site. Participants learn about the importance of fish to this nation while tucking into a salmon BBQ feast with Bannock and whipped berries (sx sum).
• Sample the seasonal bounty of the Harrison River Valley, encompassing Agassiz-Kent, Harrison Mills, and Harrison Hot Springs. The self-guided Circle Farm Tour showcases regional farm experiences and farm-to-table cuisine, including the new Harrison Lavender, a boutique farm famed for its refreshing lavender lemonade; Cedar Cider, a farm-based cidery; and Wells Farm Market, whose quality produce is grown onsite.
  Where to stay: Bramblebank Cottages welcomes travellers to choose their home-away-from-home from a collection of upscale cabins and jacuzzi suites.

Wineries:

• Step into the backwoods beauty of Cliff and Gorge Vineyards in Lillooet, where adventure pairs perfectly with a generous pour of 100 percent Lillooet-grown wine. Situated on the historic Texas Creek Ranch, the vineyard features gorge trails, vineyard views, and peaceful picnic spots. After your tasting, wander two nearby walking trails to soak in the ambience of the land.
• Fort Berens, Lillooet’s first winery, is tucked amid sagebrush-covered benchland along the Fraser River, framed by the Coast Mountains. Inspired by the St’át’imc People—the original stewards of the land—the winery is guided by a commitment to sustainable farming. Visitors can take a guided tour and tasting, or tuck into locally sourced, wine-paired dishes at the seasonal restaurant.

Rainforest To Rockies: Along The Trans-Canada Highway

Winding along the Trans-Canada (Highway 1) from Vancouver to Hope, Lytton, Kamloops, Golden and finally Revelstoke, this scenic roadtrip is a feast for the senses. Travellers pass through big cities and canyon towns, lakes and forests, and sweeping valleys—all while experiencing a symphony of culinary delights.

Farm and Food:

• Sweláps Market in Kamloops, owned by the Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc Nation, was established to provide locals with better access to fresh, diverse groceries. The market incorporates Secwépemc language and culture, and sources products from local suppliers and Indigenous producers. The store also offers catering services, from charcuterie and grazing platters to hearty soups and sandwiches.
• Maan Farms in Abbotsford was founded in 1977 by Jawahar and Gurbachan (Grandpa and Grandma) Mann. Today, their children carry on the family legacy, growing juicy produce and offering farm-favourite activities like goat yoga, a Barnyard Adventureland for children, and wines and seltzers crafted from berries grown onsite.
• Set in a third-generation certified organic orchard, Cambium Cider Co. in Vernon presses, ferments, and bottles all its ciders onsite. Guests can order hearty bites inspired by seasonal, whole ingredients, including seafood chowder, wood-fired beets, and margarita pizza.

Wineries:

• The Kamloops Wine Trail in Kamloops leads travellers to family-owned wineries Monte Creek, Privato, and Sagewood, as well as Woodward Cider Co. Wine glass in hand, visitors can wander scenic gardens, explore ancient hoodoos, or tuck into a picnic while watching the sunset over the valley.
• Mission Hill Winery in West Kelowna has a long tradition of organic, regenerative farming. The winery supports its sustainable practices with technological advances, aging its varietals through new and old world techniques that produce varietals echoing the terroir of the Okanagan Valley. New – The winery’s 2025 Summer Concert Series (July 31 and August 21) features acclaimed artists like Blue Rodeo and Jann Arden, perfectly paired with a Private Balcony Suite Experience that invites guests to gather in the estate’s loggia for a three-course feast starring seasonal cuisine with sommelier-led wine tastings.
• Quail’s Gate Winery in West Kelowna is raising a glass to 25 years of culinary excellence at its Old Vines Restaurant, where Executive Chef Roger Sleiman—who was recently inducted into the 2025 BC Restaurant Hall of Fame—incorporates seasonality, sustainability, and storytelling on every plate. After savouring memorable wines and cuisine, visitors can linger in luxury at The Lake House, which sleeps up to 14, or The Nest, ideal for gatherings of up to seven.

Rainforest to Rockies: Crowsnest Highway 3 to the Canadian Rockies

Travel along the Crowsnest (Highway 3) through Abbotsford, Hope, Osoyoos, Castlegar, and Fernie, where the landscape shifts from dramatic canyons to sun-drenched desert, culminating at the base of the Canadian Rockies.

Farm and Food:

• Did you know Keremeos in the Similkameen Valley is known as the “Fruit Stand Capital of Canada”? Here, travellers can load up on fresh produce at Dave’s Farm Fresh Fruits & Veggies, where a colourful array of pears, plums, watermelon, and other produce are offered alongside homemade jams, apple chips, and ice cream; Gerry’s Fruit and Veg, where visitors can browse an enticing assortment of produce with fresh coffee in hand; and Peach King Fruit Stand, whose fruits and veggies are served alongside ciders, honey, and fruit vinegars.
• Over the years, sustainable farm Klippers Organic Acres, near Cawston, has expanded to cover 60 acres. The farm features a restaurant called Row Fourteen, a marketplace, a craft cidery, and guest suites. Bonus: Cawston is home to the highest concentration of organic farms in Canada—earning its claim as the “Organic Farming Capital of Canada”—which means visitors have no shortage of juicy produce to sample. New – After a hiatus, Row Fourteen head chef Brandon Frederick has returned to the kitchen, bringing a seasoned resume that includes renowned establishments like Pourhouse and The Acorn in Vancouver.
• Located in an idyllic valley in Fort Steele with the Kootenay River running through it, River Valley Ranch is an old-world mixed farm that embraces biodynamic practices and runs on alternative energy. Visitors can stay overnight with options to fish in the river, observe a friendly family of Highland cows, and soak in the commanding views of the Rocky Mountains.
• Honey Bee Zen in Creston is the passion project of beekeepers Amanda and Jeff Lee, whose award-winning honey is a testament to responsible agricultural practices that respect the bees. The shop sells a range of wildflower honeys—including a fireweed variety made from plants in the Selkirk and Purcell mountains—alongside honey-based lip balms, salves, and other handcrafted goods. In 2024, the Lees’ dedication to quality and care was recognized with a first-place win at the American Honey Show.

Wineries:

• Orofino Vineyards in Cawston is a family-owned, solar-powered winery that serves delicious organic wines. Notable Where to stay: The winery’s luxurious suites overlook the vineyards and Orofino Mountain beyond, complete with full kitchens and private decks. The Guest House offers a three-bedroom escape within the vineyard, ideal for travellers seeking an immersive wine country experience.
• The first Indigenous-owned winery in North America, Nk’Mip Cellars in Osoyoos represents more than 500 members of the Osoyoos Band. Here, visitors can discover internationally award-winning wines while learning the remarkable history that inspired them. Don’t miss Sweetgrass, the winery’s restaurant, which hosts an elevated dining experience that marries Indigenous and contemporary cuisine.