Birken, British Columbia
| Birken | |
|---|---|
  Birken Location of Birken in British Columbia | |
| Coordinates: 50°29′00″N 122°37′00″W / 50.48333°N 122.61667°WCoordinates: 50°29′00″N 122°37′00″W / 50.48333°N 122.61667°W | |
| Country |
 Canada |
| Province |
 British Columbia |
| Area code(s) | [604) |
Birken is an unincorporated community, located at Birken Lake in the Gates Valley of the Lillooet Country in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada, approximately midway in the route known as the Long Portage or Pemberton Pass, which connects the Pemberton Valley to the Fraser Canyon via Anderson and Seton Lakes via the Seton River. Birken, and Birken Lake (officially Gates Lake), are at the summit of that pass, which was part of the important Fraser Canyon Gold Rush-era route known as the Douglas Road.
Birken's name is derived from that of the Birkenhead River and adjacent Birkenhead Peak (a.k.a. Mount Birkenhead, or Mount Birken), which overlooks the settlement and lake from the northwest.
Located at Birken are the Birkenhead Lodge, just by the lake and adjoining train station, and the Whispering Falls Resort, just northeast.