Nellian Lake Trail (Old North Road Trail) is an easy, level hiking route following red square tree markers while exploring the meadow, the rivers and the forest backcountry regions located west of the community of Burns Lake, British Columbia, Canada. The route is a trip down memory lane passing through old mill sites and "tie hacker" camps looking for "tie hacker cabins" overgrown with trees.

The hike was first used by the First Nation people as a trading route between villages. Today, the hike is used as a recreation route by hikers, horseback riders and fishermen heading out to Nellian Lake, the Fraser River and/or the Skeena River. Some complete the entire trail and connect to Pinkut Lake and the Ethel Wilson Park on the northeast end of the trail.

Although the 15 kilometre trail is an easy-grade, one-way trail it is long and takes up to 4 -7 hours to complete. The forest trail is lined with mainly pine and spruce trees and the underbrush and the regeneration of the forest sometimes infringes on the trail. Mud, on the other, hand infringes on you, your gear and/or your horse. It can get pretty muddy on this route in sections during some seasons.

The Nellian Lake Trail was first created as a trading route connecting the First Nation Villages of the Wet'suwet'en people (House of Tsayu Namox - Beaver Clan) and the Ne'duten people (House of Guis ta Gil Lantan - Caribou Clan). The arrival of the Grand Truck Railway and the fertile farm fields surrounding Burns Lake attracted the European settlers to the region.

In the winter time the settlers would work for the railroad for extra income. The pine trees in the Nellian Lake region were ideal for the railway ties. Every year until the late 1940's men would cut ties. And... every year men would have to travel deeper into the forest building "tie hacker cabins" along the route for accommodations during the winter months.

Today remnants of the cabins and forestry mill sites are still evident along the trail although the remains are worn down by nature. Two cabins are located on the west side of Nellian Lake and one is located close to the Palling Road trailhead. There are pine plantations near each trailhead and a scout camp on the west side of the lake with picnic tables. The backcountry route is situated in deep wilderness country so there may be an opportunity to view some wildlife while enjoying this hike like bears, deer and moose.

How to get to Nellian Lake Trail: There are two trailheads.
From west of Burns Lake: Travel Hwy 16 west of burns Lake for 17 kilometres. At West Palling Road take a right and continue driving for another 4 kilometres. The paved road turns to gravel. Just before the yellow 1 KM road marker there is a small opening on your left with the trailhead sign and parking area.
From north of Burns Lake: Travel Hwy 16 east of Burns Lake and look for Old Babine Road and take a left onto the road. Continue down the road and at the Augier Main Junction take a another left and continue down the gravel roads until the 40 KM marker sign. Park where North Road meets Augier Main Road. Walk up North Road for 1.5 kilometres to the trailhead.