Hiking Brunswick Mountain near Lions Bay
Contents
Brunswick Mountain Hike Information
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Distance: 15.1Km
Elevation Gain: 1,555m
Highest Elevation: 1,788m
Average Gradient: 20.60%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Very High / Very High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 8 – 10 Hours
– Moderate: 6 – 8 Hours
– Fast: 5 – 6 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: ~July – October
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: Steep scramble at the end with one brief, exposed “no fall” zone.
Brunswick Mountain Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 49°28’16.1″N 123°14’04.5″W
Brunswick Mountain Overview
Brunswick Mountain is the highest peak in the North Shore mountains, standing high above other nearby peaks and the Howe Sound below. During the summer it is one of the most popular hikes on the North Shore, thanks largely to the incredible panoramic views from the top, particularly of the Howe Sound but also of the nearby iconic peaks like the Lions and Mount Harvey.
Thanks to the near sea level start point and high elevation summit, most hikes beginning from Lions Bay are very steep and physically challenging, and Brunswick Mountain is no different. While it’s not quite as steep as Mount Harvey, and only slightly steeper than the Lions, this hike is an endless ascent that will probably leave you aching for days.
As well as its famous summit photo with the Howe Sound backdrop, Brunswick Mountain offers exceptional views of the Lions, Mount Harvey, Mount Hanover Brunswick Lake, Hanover Lake, Deeks Lake, Coburg Peak, Gotha Peak and Hat Mountain to name a few. On a sunny, clear day it’s hard to find a better view this close to the city.
This is typically a summer only hike for the vast majority of people, as in the winter this hike covers significant avalanche terrain, with massive cornices a constant concern.
A hike up Brunswick Mountain is not only steep there are also some technical steps, with some exposed scrambling at the summit where falling is not an option. The “no fall zone” is very brief though and unless you have a distinct fear of heights most people are fine tackling it.
Due to the popularity of this trail as well as the small parking lot in Lions Bay, it is strongly recommended to arrive at the trailhead no later than 7am on a sunny summer weekend, preferably earlier. While dogs are allowed on this hike I can’t say I would encourage taking one along the scramble unless you have a way of carrying them across.
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Is Brunswick Mountain worthwhile?
Brunswick Mountain offers some of the best views you will find anywhere on the North Shore. While the hike itself is obviously a challenging one, at just 30 minutes outside of Vancouver the payoff of this hike is frankly incredible. The views from the top are panoramic and varied. This should be high on your to-do list if you haven’t done it yet.
How difficult is the hike to Brunswick Mountain?
With over 20% average gradient Brunswick Mountain is a very steep and physically demanding hike, with what feels like an almost endless ascent. It’s certainly not the longest hike by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s a constant grind basically the entire time. Coming down is also a challenge due to the steepness, poles will help the knees for sure.
From a technical standpoint the trail is fairly easy to follow but you should take a map to make sure you’re on the right path. Towards the end of the hike you will be scrambling up a steep slope with loose rock, and briefly scrambling over a “no fall zone”, with obvious repercussions. Still, it’s very brief and most people handle it okay, so don’t let this put you off unless you have a debilitating aversion for heights. After this no fall scramble section you reach a sub-summit, with the true summit another scramble ahead. Some people don’t bother go to the true summit, but the remaining scrambling is easier than the no-fall zone you already got past, so I encourage you to go for it and you can always turn back if desired.
Brunswick Mountain Route Information
As with the trail to Mount Harvey, Tunnel Bluffs and the Lions, the trailhead for Brunswick Mountain is at Sunset Trailhead parking lot, which is paid parking in the summer, and typically free in the off season. With very limited parking, and few overflow options, it’s strongly advised to get there very early (before 7am on a sunny weekend) to ensure a parking spot. If the parking lot is full, there is more parking about 1km away from the trailhead near the elementary school. This obviously adds time and more elevation to an already challenging day, so I’d encourage getting the trailhead parking.
This hike begins on the Magnesia Creek trail, which starts as a wide open gravel road. Zig zagging through the forest you will gradually climb, passing a concrete structure and a metal fence. The trail is wide, rugged and rocky, but it’s a mellow gradient so you can usually go at a good pace to begin with.
After around 2km the trail splits. Continuing on the same trail will lead to the Lions and Mount Harvey and turning left, onto the narrow trail, will lead to Brunswick Mountain. There should be a small sign to let you know but it’s best to check your map as well.
After a few hundred meters on this trail you will cross a small creek, then shortly after that you’ll have to cross Magnesia Creek. This will have a bridge composed of logs and a rope to hold onto for crossing and it’s easy enough. Shortly after crossing this bridge the trail will split again, where going straight will take you to Tunnel Bluffs. You’ll need to go right and follow the signage to Brunswick Mountain.
The trail now arrows significantly and begins climbing at a fairly modest gradient for the next kilometer or so, before steepening somewhat as the trail begins a few switchbacks. A little further along you will reach your first excellent viewpoint over the Howe Sound, which is coincidentally also a good place to rest as the gradient is about to get serious.
Over the next kilometer you will climb steeper and steeper through forest until eventually you reach a junction in the trail. The Howe Sound Crest trail will cross with the Brunswick Mountain trail. Turning left will go to Fat Ass Peak and Hat Mountain, while going right will be a long trip to the Lions, Unnecessary Mountain, St. Marks Summit and ultimately Cypress Bowl.
The good news is you’re now only about 700m from the summit, the bad news is this is the steepest part of the hike, ascending almost 300m more at an average gradient of 43%. The rest of the hike will be on a combination of loose and solid rocks while marked with the occasional orange paint patch. It’s hard to go wrong but refer to your map just in case. As you climb higher it gets steeper and steeper. You’ll need to navigate your own route and will likely need to use hands at times to steady yourself, but it’s straightforward nonetheless.
Eventually you will reach a saddle just before the first scramble, which now requires you to cross a short “no fall zone”. If you are worried about footing/balance you can optionally crawl this part of the hike and it’s so short it will be over in seconds, just take your time and be careful. On the other side of this is the sub-summit that many people choose to stop at (likely because they’ve been shaken from the no fall scramble). If that’s the case, no worries as the views are already incredible, but the true summit is still further ahead.
From this sub-summit you will now drop down the ridge slightly before scrambling up again, passing by another section where you wouldn’t want to fall. This time it’s much easier though, with comfortable holds and exposure only on one side. Soon you’ll reach an old helicopter pad and the true summit will lie just on the other side of a short ridge. The scrambling is over now, you can just walk along this ridge to the summit.
At the summit you will now have 360 degree views of the Howe Sound, Mount Harvey, the Lions, Mount Hanover, Coburg Peak, Gotha Peak, Brunswick Lake, Hanover Lake, Sky Pilot, Mount Garibaldi, Vancouver Island and much, much more.
After resting up at the top you simply retrace your steps back to the car to return. Somehow the scrambling seems much easier on the return leg, likely because you’ve already done it once and you know what you’re getting yourself into. In no time you’ll be back at the saddle where the remainder of the descent, while steep, is straightforward. The descent will be rough on the knees but you can make pretty good time as it’s not that far.
When should I hike Brunswick Mountain?
The typical season for Brunswick Mountain is relatively short for the average hiker, July-October approximately. You want a definitively clear day as the North Shore is famous for clouds even if the city is sunny. Some people do complete this hike in winter, but this should be left to experienced and capable parties only, requiring crampons, ice axes and favorable avalanche conditions.
Top Tip
Be at the trailhead before 7am on a sunny weekend otherwise you may not find (legal) parking.
Poles will be very useful on the descent especially.
When scrambling, focus on your hands and feet and not what is below you. The scrambling is only short and will be over in seconds.
