Wettin Peak, Hat Mountain and Fat Ass Peak Loop

Wettin Peak, Hat Mountain and Fat Ass Peak Loop is one of the burliest hikes near West Vancouver, pushing out about 19.2 km with roughly 1700 m of gain and a high point around 1644 m. This loop is rated very difficult for good reason: it’s long, steep, and demands solid fitness and comfort on rough terrain, but the payoff is a full day in the high country with huge Howe Sound views.

The route usually starts on the popular Tunnel Bluffs trail, then breaks off into much quieter terrain as you work toward Wettin Peak and across to Hat Mountain and Fat Ass Peak. Expect sustained climbing, some hands-on sections, and big open viewpoints from each summit looking over Howe Sound, the Lions, and the Sea to Sky corridor. Once you leave the Tunnel Bluffs area, the crowds disappear and it feels like a remote alpine mission until you rejoin the Howe Sound Crest Trail on the way down.

Recent hikers report a marked shortcut off Wettin that skips some re-climbing but turns into a steep scramble with exposure, so stick to the standard AllTrails route if you’re not confident on loose, airy terrain. This loop is best tackled in the summer window, typically July and August, when snow has melted and daylight is long enough for a 9-hour push. Bring plenty of water, layers for fast-changing weather at elevation, a map or GPS track, and treat this like a serious backcountry outing rather than a casual West Vancouver walk.