Hike Rating 7Unnecessary 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 Lions.  Unnecessary 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

Hike in Vancouver

Moderately Difficult Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverBlack Mountain Difficult and Steep Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverBrunswick Mountain Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverBurnaby Lake Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverBurnaby Mountain Difficult and Steep Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverColiseum Mountain Difficult and Steep Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverCrown Mountain Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverCypress Falls Difficult and Steep Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverDeeks Peak Moderately Difficult Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverDeep Cove Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverDeer Lake Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverDog Mountain Moderately Steep Pay Use Trail - Hike in VancouverGoat Mountain Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverGoldie Lake Steep Trail - Hike in VancouverGrouse Moderately Difficult Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverHollyburn Mountain Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverKitsilano Beaches Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverLighthouse Park Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverLynn Canyon Difficult and Steep Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverLynn Peak Difficult and Steep Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverMt Elsay Moderately Difficult Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverMt Fromme Very Steep Technical Terrain - Hike in VancouverMt Hanover Very Steep Technical Terrain - Hike in VancouverMt Harvey Difficult and Steep Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverMt Seymour Moderately Difficult Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverMt Strachan Moderately Difficult Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverMystery Lake Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverPacific Spirit Easy Trail No Dogs - Hike in VancouverRice Lake Moderately Difficult Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverSt Mark's Easy Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverStanley Park Moderately Difficult Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverThe Lions Difficult and Steep Dog Friendly Trail - Hike in VancouverUnnecessary

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, Mount Harvey, Mount Hanover, Brunswick Mountain and finally Deeks Peak.  As Unnecessary 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.

Unnecessary Mountain View of Howe Sound

Unnecessary Mountain View of Howe Sound

Trailhead Directions to Unnecessary Mountain

Driving - Vancouver Hiking TrailsThe 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.

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