Tunnel Bluffs hike from Lions Bay
The Tunnel Bluffs trail is a popular hike near Vancouver. Previously you used to be able to access it from the highway at Tunnel Point pullout but this is now no longer the case. If you park here you’re very likely to be towed as you can only park there for 30 minutes now.
The best way to complete the Tunnel Bluffs hike is to hike Tunnel Bluffs from Lions Bay. This also means you can get to Tunnel Bluffs by bus if you don’t have a car.
This Vancouver hiking guide will give you all the details you need to know about hiking Tunnel Bluffs; a beautiful Vancouver hike!
AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.
Tunnel Bluffs hike from Lions Bay
Tunnel Bluffs is a steep hike near Vancouver, BC with beautiful views of Howe Sound.
How to get to Tunnel Bluffs, Lions Bay
Wondering how to get to Tunnel Bluffs hike?
The best way to hike to Tunnel Bluffs now is from Lions Bay. This is because new parking restrictions at the old trailhead for Tunnel Bluffs now only allow for 30 minutes’ parking and the hike cannot be completed that quickly.
The issue with starting the trail from Lions Bay is that parking here can also be a pain. Lions Bay are very, very hot on giving out parking tickets and they’re expensive too (in excess of $150).
You can see all the places to park in Lions Bay here. If you’re parking at the parking lot at Sunset Trailhead, you’ll need to pay $24 for the day, or $3 an hour.
Getting to Lions Bay from Vancouver is easy, simply follow the Sea to Sky highway north towards Squamish and Whistler and come off at Lions Bay Avenue Exit.
Drive uphill to the stop sign, then turn left onto Cross Creek Road. Cross over Harvey Creek to the 2nd stop sign.
Turn right, then left onto Bayview Road and continue uphill to Sunset Drive. Take a left and drive to the parking lot.
Alternatively, you can get public transport from Vancouver to Lions Bay.
Know before you go
- Tunnel Bluff parking in Lions Bay is tricky and fines can be HUGE. See where to park in Lions Bay here.
- Camping at Tunnel Bluffs is NOT permitted. Just because someone on Instagram did it, doesn’t mean you should
- Always practice leave no trace ethics. Not sure what those are? Get a refresher here.
- Carry bear spray with you on all BC hiking trails. Get more bear safety tips here!
- Wondering what to pack for Vancouver day hikes? Here’s a hiking packing list!
- Refresh your memory about hiking safety with BC Adventure Smart.
- Don’t leave home without your 10 essentials. They could save your life!
The Tunnel Bluffs trail hike
From the parking lot at the Sunset Trailhead in Lions Bay, pass the gate and begin the hike on the service road. This is the same road you’ll take if you’re hiking Mount Brunswick, the Lions or Mount Harvey.
The first part is quite steep, but not too bad! You’ll pass a water reservoir on your right and then come to a junction, stay right here to keep on the trail.
There are about 6 switchbacks before you come to a junction with a sign to Mount Brunswick straight ahead, or to Mount Harvey and the Lions on the left. Take the pathway towards Mount Brunswick. At this point, you’ve already done most of the elevation!
There’s a small wooden log bridge running across Magnesia Creek that you’ll need to cross and then continue on the trail until you reach another junction with two blue signs.
One sign points left for Tunnel Bluffs, and the other points right towards Mount Brunswick. Take the path on the left and enjoy a long flat stretch with a few creek crossings.
After a second crossing with a bridge, you’ll come to another junction where the old Tunnel Bluffs trail and this one meet up.
Continue straight and go left at the Hat Mountain junction to stay on the flat trail towards Tunnel Bluffs.
There are a few rocky sections to climb up before the final descent to the viewpoint of Howe Sound. Unfortunately, the only time I’ve done this trail the views were of clouds and nothing else!
But, on a clear day, you can see Bowen Island and Keats Islands and the Sunshine Coast.
After you’ve taken in the views, head back down the way you came.
Tunnel Bluffs hike statistics
Know the essential hike details for hiking Tunnel Bluffs:
- Tunnel Bluffs hike difficulty: Moderate (some steep sections on uneven terrain)
- Distance: 11.5km
- Elevation: 470m
- Duration: 4 hours
What to pack for the Tunnel Bluffs hike
What to pack for this hike depends on what season you’re hiking in.
- Check out my day hike packing list here.
- If you’re hiking in summer you should pack sunscreen, sunglasses, layers, water and bug spray as well as everything in the 10 essentials for hiking list.
- Here is what to wear hiking in hot weather
- Check out this post on the best leggings for hiking or what to wear hiking in summer for more details and my gear recommendations.
- If you’re hiking in winter after the snow has started falling you’ll need microspikes at the very least. If there is a lot of snow you will probably need snowshoes.
- You should also take plenty of layers including a fleece layer, a puffy insulated jacket and a wind and waterproof outer layer. Hats and gloves are also necessary as well as a good backpack to keep everything in.
- You should also pack water and some snacks too to keep you going as they’re part of the 10 essentials for hiking!
- Planning a hiking date? Check out what to wear on a hiking date but still look cool.
More Lions Bay hikes
Check out these other Lions Bay hikes with amazing views near Tunnels bluff!
Last Updated on June 15, 2023 by Hannah
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.
