Brewis, Crossover and Baden Powell Trail Loop

Brewis, Crossover and Baden Powell Trail Loop in West Vancouver is a short but punchy grind. At just 3.7 km with about 309 m of gain, it feels tougher than the stats suggest, thanks to a steady climb right out of the gate and some rough, poorly marked sections. Expect about 1 hour 45 minutes of focused hiking rather than a casual stroll.

The Brewis Trail climbs as a narrow, natural path through classic North Shore forest, weaving around roots, rocks, and old logging remnants. The big draw is the Hollyburn Fir, an enormous old-growth tree near the Brewis–Crossover junction that makes the effort worth it. From there, the loop along Crossover, the Baden Powell, and Millstream fire road eases off a bit, with quieter forest, a few creek crossings, and the odd relic like the abandoned truck adding some character.

Recent hikers report fallen timber, missing markers near the start, and sections where you’re basically route-finding through cut logs, especially in the first mile if you go clockwise. In spring and early summer, expect deep or slushy snow higher up, high creek levels, and very wet, muddy stretches, so waterproof boots and poles are smart. The loop around Cypress and Hollyburn sees bears, so bring spray, make noise, and don’t treat this like a casual city park walk; this is a challenging, often quiet route best tackled in the drier months from late spring to fall, with extra caution in shoulder season or after heavy rain.