Tunnel Bluffs

Tunnel Bluffs is actually above Lions Bay, just north of West Vancouver, and it has a reputation that matches the stats: about 7.4 km return, 684 m of gain, and every bit of that “Difficult” rating feels real in the first stretch. Most people take around 3.5–4 hours, and almost everyone agrees the viewpoint over Howe Sound, Bowen Island, and the islands beyond makes the grind worth it. If you’re looking for a short, sharp climb with a classic Sea to Sky payoff, this is it.

The hike to Tunnel Bluffs starts with a steep, rocky road or trail depending on your chosen access, then settles into a more relaxed forest walk once you’ve knocked off the first 2 km of switchbacks. You’re in the trees almost the whole way, with the main reward saved for the bluff itself, where a wide rock shelf looks straight out over the water and islands. There’s a bit of light scrambling and boulder-hopping to reach the best vantage, and it can get crowded on clear days, but the wide open view feels like a balcony over Howe Sound.

Recent hikers report the lower section as very steep, loose, and slippery on the way down, so poles and real hiking shoes are smart, and anyone with bad knees should think twice. Expect overgrown, brushy sections and some mud, plus hornets and bears are not unheard of, so stay alert and keep dogs leashed. Parking is the biggest headache: 30-minute spots at the highway, limited paid parking, and strict enforcement around Lions Bay, so arrive early, consider parking by Lions Bay Elementary in summer, and budget extra time to walk up to the Tunnel Bluffs trailhead.