Sep 19, 2024 4 min read Hiking Guides

📗 Hiking Guide for The Lions

The Lions, Vancouver's iconic twin peaks, offer a challenging hike with rewarding panoramic views of Howe Sound, the Coast Mountains, and surrounding wilderness. Popular with experienced hikers, this trail showcases stunning alpine scenery, making it a must-do adventure in British Columbia.

The Lions view from Unnecessary Mountain

Vancouver’s most iconic summit hike

⛰️ Overview

The West Lion is one of the most iconic peaks in the North Shore Mountains near Vancouver, offering breathtaking views of Howe Sound and the surrounding landscape. This hike is challenging and involves significant elevation gain, with the final section requiring technical scrambling. The last ascent is dangerous and is only for experienced climbers.

So, how hard is it?

🍒 Don’t forget to Save + Share this Hiking Guide with your hiking buddy to coordinate when to take on Manning Park's scenic fall summit 👊

💪 Trail Difficulty

Distance: 15 km round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,280 meters
Time: 7-9 hours
Difficulty: Difficult

How do you get there, park, and navigate the trail?

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As with all of my Hiking Guides, feel free to send me a DM on Instagram if you have questions that aren’t answered below

🚗 Driving Instructions from Vancouver

From Vancouver, take Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) west towards Horseshoe Bay.
Merge onto Highway 99 north towards Squamish.
After about 12 km, take the Lions Bay Avenue exit.
Turn left onto Oceanview Road and follow it up the hill.
Continue on Oceanview Road, which becomes Mountain Drive.
Turn left onto Sunset Drive and follow it to the trailhead parking area.

Note that parking is limited, and you'll need to pay for a parking spot. Arrive early, especially on weekends, as the area can get crowded.

🥾 Trail Instructions

1. Starting the Hike: Begin on the gravel path that features several switchbacks

2. First Fork—Tunnel Bluffs: After 1 km, you’ll reach a fork, keep right to continue on the Lions Trail; the left leads to Tunnel Bluffs.

3. Second Fork—Brunswick Mountain/Lions: After another few kilometers, you’ll reach a second junction, take the right fork marked for The Lions; the left leads to Brunswick Mountain.

4. Mt. Harvey Junction: Continue straight past the junction where the trail to Mt. Harvey branches off to the left.

5. Approaching the Alpine: The trail becomes steeper and less maintained as you gain elevation. You’ll pass through alpine meadows

6. Base of the West Lion: After about 7 km, you’ll reach the base of the West Lion.

7. Final Ascent (Extreme Caution Advised): The scramble to the summit involves exposed climbing over loose and narrow rock faces. This section is dangerous and should only be attempted by experienced climbers.

👇 Trail Tips, Summit Photos + Video of St Marks Summit, continued below...

💡Tips

Start early: The trail is long and challenging, so it's best to start early to give yourself plenty of daylight.

Be prepared for a tough climb: The trail is steep, especially near the West Lion summit, and requires some scrambling. Ensure you’re in good physical condition.

Bring sufficient water and snacks: There are no water sources on the trail, so bring plenty of water, especially on hot days.

Wear proper footwear: Hiking boots with good ankle support are recommended for the rocky and uneven sections, especially for those looking to scramble the summit

Parking: Arrive early to secure parking at the Lions Bay trailhead, as it’s limited, especially on summer weekends. It's tough to get a spot at the trailhead after 8am during peak season. There is parking further down the bay, but will require adding a bit of extra time and effort to your hike.

Summit with caution: The West Lion scramble is technical and exposed. Only attempt it if you have experience and proper gear, and avoid it in wet conditions.

Leave no trace: Pack out ALL trash and respect the environment, and for the love of god, do not litter toilet paper.

Timing: Expect the round trip to take about 7-9 hours depending on your pace.