Tunnel Bluffs
Table of contents
Route Description for Tunnel Bluffs
Embark on the Tunnel Bluffs hike from the parking lot, heading towards a gravel road, just past the yellow gate. Prepare for a gentle uphill climb towards the first junction, continue on straight, past a water station on your right-hand side.
At the 1.0 km mark, you’ll arrive in a big clearing. The road splits here with a gated area blocking off the path heading straight. You’ll veer right, heading further uphill and over multiple switchbacks—tackling most of the elevation early.
About half-an-hour into the hike, you’ll reach a junction, head left following the Brunswick Mountain Trail, heading into a forested area. Cross over a stream, until you reach a makeshift log bridge over Magnesia Creek.
Shortly after the Magnesia Creek bridge, keep an eye out for markers tacked onto stumps reading ‘Brunswick Mountain’. Pay attention here, as you’ll want to find a trail that splits to the left reading ‘Tunnel Bluffs’.
Leave behind the Brunswick Trail, onto the Hat Trail heading north on the easy pathway. At the 4.0 km mark, you’ll have to cross another creek, but you’ll be rewarded with your first views of Howe Sound to your left.
Cross over M (Yahoo) Creek, with a rope handrail to help you cross.
You will soon come to another junction which is clearly marked. Go left at this junction, towards Tunnel Bluffs, for another 500 m.
Experience a jaw-dropping moment as you reach Tunnel Bluffs, with an expansive view of Howe Sound. You can see Bowen (Mount Gardner), Gambier, Anvil and Vancouver islands (to name a few).
There is plenty of space here to kick back and relax. Enjoy lunch here and rest tired muscles before retracing your steps back to the parking lot.
Insider Hints for Tunnel Bluffs
- As of March 2020, a 30-minute parking restriction has been placed at the Tunnel Point viewpoint parking area. This effectively makes it impossible to complete this hike from the trailhead on the Sea to Sky Highway. It is also illegal to park on the shoulder and to walk along the side of the highway. That’s why our guide describes an alternate route, beginning at the trailhead on Sunset Drive in Lions Bay.
Getting to the Tunnel Bluffs Trailhead
Take the Lions Bay Ave exit. Merge onto Oceanview Road and take a left onto Crosscreek Road. Take a right onto Center Road and a left onto Bayview Road. Follow Bayview Road all the way up to its end and turn left onto Sunset Drive. At the end of Sunset Drive, you will find a limited number of pay parking spots.Route Information
When to do:
March to November
Backcountry Campsites:
No
Pets allowed:
Yes - On Leash
Family friendly:
No
Route Signage:
Average
Crowd Levels:
Moderate
Route Type:
Out and back
Tunnel Bluffs Elevation Graph
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