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Fraser Valley
The Fraser Valley is a geographical region in southwestern British Columbia, Canada and northwestern Washington State. It starts just west of Hope in a narrow valley encompassing the Fraser River and ends at the Pacific Ocean stretching from the North Shore Mountains, opposite the city of Vancouver BC, to just south of Bellingham, Washington. In casual usage it typically describes the Fraser River basin downstream of the Fraser Canyon. The term is sometimes used outside British Columbia to refer to the entire Fraser River sections including the Fraser Canyon and up from there to its headwaters, but in general British Columbian usage the term refers to the stretch of Lower Mainland west of the Coquihalla River mouth at the inland town of Hope, and includes all of the Canadian portion of the Fraser Lowland as well as the valleys and upland areas flanking it. It is divided into the Upper Fraser Valley and Lower Fraser Valley by the Vedder River mouth at the eastern foothills of Sumas Mountain, although the Lower Valley section upstream of McMillan Island and the Salmon River mouth (at Fort Langley) used to be called the Central Fraser Valley up until 1995 (see Central Fraser Valley Regional District). Administratively, the Fraser Valley comprises parts of the regional districts of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District. The main population centres in the Fraser Valley are Greater Vancouver, Abbotsford and Chilliwack.
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WBP almanac
From Wikipedia
4,040 words · source ↗WBP editorial
Food‑and‑wine on the farm front
Beyond the river’s floodplain, the valley’s temperate climate nurtures a surprisingly dense network of craft producers. Small‑scale vineyards around Chilliwack and Abbotsford are gaining recognition for cool‑climate pinot noir, while the region’s orchards supply farm‑direct cideries and berry jams that rarely reach international markets. A weekend itinerary that strings together a farmer’s market, a boutique cellar door and a heritage barn‑to‑table dinner offers a tactile sense of the land’s bounty, far more personal than a generic winery tour. Look for seasonal pop‑up stalls on Saturday mornings; they often showcase experimental products that disappear after the harvest.
Cycling the river corridors
The Fraser’s meandering course creates a series of low‑gradient trails that link towns without the traffic of the highway. Starting at Cultus Lake, a rider can follow the paved Greenway past marshes, through historic mill towns, and onto the bustling urban fringe of Vancouver. The route’s modest climbs are offset by sweeping river vistas and opportunities to stop at community-run cafés that double as bike repair stations. For a deeper dive, detour onto the gravel‑surfaced branches that trace former logging roads, where the forest canopy opens to surprise you with wildflower carpets in early summer.
Indigenous perspectives on the landscape
The valley’s geography has long been shaped by the Sto:lo peoples, whose place names and oral histories are still evident in the toponyms of rivers and hills. Guided walks led by local First Nations members focus on traditional plant uses, seasonal fishing practices, and the cultural significance of the river’s salmon runs, offering an angle that standard guidebooks overlook. Participating in a seasonal salmon ceremony or visiting a community art centre provides a nuanced understanding of how the land’s stewardship continues to evolve, tying the present‑day scenery to centuries‑old stewardship.