Hat Mountain

Hat Mountain is one of the most serious slogs in the North Shore backcountry, and it’s not actually in West Vancouver proper, but accessed from Lions Bay just up the road. The route is about 14.3 km out-and-back with roughly 1,588 m of elevation gain, topping out around 1,643 m, so it feels steep almost the entire way. This is an extreme hike that’s more of a mountaineering-style mission than a casual day walk, and it demands fitness, route awareness, and a full day, not the 3–4 hours some apps suggest.

The first half follows the popular Tunnel Bluffs trail from near Highway 99, then splits off and quickly leaves the crowds behind. From there, Hat Mountain turns into a sustained grind through forest, then into more open alpine terrain with expanding Howe Sound views and a rugged, rocky summit area. The final push above about 1,450 m is a class 3 scramble with hands-on climbing, loose sections, and some exposure, so expect crawling, pulling, and careful footwork rather than simple hiking.

Current reports mention lingering snowpacks into late July, so traction like microspikes or crampons and poles are smart, and you should be comfortable moving on snow. The route is mostly flagged with yellow markers, but the last 1–2 km near the top can be sporadically marked with orange or pink tape, which makes navigation tricky in fog or low light. Do not start this late in the day; many strong parties take closer to 8–10 hours round trip, and you don’t want to be picking your way down that scramble in the dark, so bring a headlamp, extra layers, and treat Hat Mountain as a full committing objective in the Lions Bay area.