Hike Mt. Brunswick
8.75 Miles
5100 Feet
Snowshoeing, Hiking
Intermediate
Year Round
Out-and-Back
The summit of Mt. Brunswick Amazing views of the Howe Sounds and Vancouver Island.
Driving north from Vancouver along the Sea to Sky Highway (HWY 99) turn off at Lions Bay exit and park at the end of Sunset Dr.N 49.470653225392105, -123.23479324579239 W
The trail begins on a gravel service road which winds up for 30 minutes. Take a left at the fork where a sign on the tree reads “Mt. Brunswick”.
The trails flattens out on an overgrown service road for 20 minutes. Shortly after crossing Magnesia Creek, take the fork right. The trail continues up a series of inclined switchbacks.
The service roads ends at a vista point. This is a good spot to rest up before the big slog up the ridge. This final 1 km / 0.6 mile accent is very steep (class 3 sections) and the trail is rugged.
The breathtaking views of Howe Sound, Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland are second to none in the Vancouver area. Celebrate your stoke with a fist pump, have lunch and head back down.
Safety Note:
At about a 0.5 km / 0.3 miles from the summit, you get a good look at the route to the summit. This section is exposed and steep. In months of snow and ice, this a good spot to put on crampons or snowshoes. If you do not have the gear to safely summit in these conditions, it is not recommended to continue this final accent.
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations.
Reviews
Overall rating:
Tough hike, amazing views!
This hike is a constant elevation gain for all 1550m to the top and takes about 5-6 hours if you are taking lots of breaks and enjoying your time. The view at the top is absolutely phenomenal! It is the highest peak in the region and you have panoramic views of Squamish inlet, the islands and the Lions. Be warned, the saddle to the highest point is very dangerous and should not be attempted by those with no scrambling experience. A mistake could lead to death.
This was my first scramble :).
Great hike and amazing views. The logging roads at the start are a bit of a slog, but well worth the views. I've heard on a clear/non-hazy day, you can see as far as the Queen Charlotte islands.
