Vancouver Hiking Trails RatingUnnecessary Mountain gets its peculiar name from the fact it once was part of the route to reach The Lions whereas now the route avoids it.  This now, unnecessary mountain, no longer needs to be climbed to reach The LionsUnnecessary Mountain is part of the amazing Howe Sound Crest Trail in Cypress Provincial Park and is one of the many beautiful peaks to be climbed if desired on the 29 kilometre trail.

  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ProVery challenging & rewarding hike!
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ProShort, but steep trail
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ProSensational views at the summit!
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ProOn the Howe Sound Crest Trail
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ProDogs & camping are welcome
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ProRelatively quiet, yet beautiful hike
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ProAccessible with snowshoes in the winter
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ConUnmaintained trail from Lions Bay
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ConEasy to lose the trail due to few signs
  • Vancouver Hiking Trails ConToo challenging for most hikers

Vancouver Hiking Trails

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Among the hiker friendly mountains (from Cypress north) on the Howe Sound Crest Trail are: Mount Strachan, St Mark's Summit, Unnecessary Mountain, The Lions, Mt Harvey, Mount Hanover, Unnecessary Mountain and finally Deeks Peak.  As Unnecessary Mountain lays in the middle of the Howe Sound Crest Trail, it has its own trail from Lions Bay which makes it a manageable day-trip.  The trail is well marked but very steep and overgrown.  It is sometimes compared, as so many other North Shore trails often are, to the Grouse Grind.  Harder, better views and no people, is the usual description.  Unnecessary Mountain is comprised of three summits, all three are reachable without technical skill.  The summit furthest north is where the original trail to The Lions is located.  The Howe Sound Crest Trail now goes around the east side of Unnecessary Mountain.  The trailhead to Unnecessary Mountain is in the cute little town of Lions Bay.  From downtown Vancouver the drive takes 35 minutes with light traffic and can take an an hour with busy traffic. From Vancouver head north on Highway 99 towards Lions Bay and take the Oceanview Road exit (2nd Lions Bay exit you will see).  Follow Oceanview Road until it ends at a gate near a water tower.  There is a small parking area here.  Walk past the gate up the old road that curves to the left.  Look for the trail on your right, that is the Unnecessary Mountain trail that rises steeply.

Unnecessary Mountain Hike in Vancouver

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