Baden Powell Trail - West Vancouver Section

• 22.3 km epic traverse from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove

• 1,300m total elevation gain across the North Shore mountains

• Traverses Cypress, Grouse, and Seymour mountain areas

• The ultimate North Shore day hike for experienced hikers

A 22.3 km point-to-point traverse from Horseshoe Bay to Cleveland Dam, crossing through Cypress Provincial Park. The route climbs steeply from sea level through forest and scree slopes to Eagle Bluffs (1,094m) and Black Mountain (1,217m), then descends through the Hollyburn Ridge cross-country ski network and British Properties to Cleveland Dam. The most technical section of the entire 48 km Baden Powell Trail.

The Route

1. Horseshoe Bay Trailhead

2. Whyte Lake junction

3. Cypress Provincial Park boundary

4. Scree slopes — technical scrambling

5. Eagle Bluffs (7 km, 1,094m) — major viewpoint

6. Alpine lakes and ponds

7. Black Mountain summit (9 km, 1,217m) — highest point

8. Cabin Lake

9. Cypress Bowl / Ski Area

10. Cross-country ski trail network

11. Hollyburn Ridge

12. Brothers Creek crossing (16 km) — bridge damaged, detour required

13. British Properties descent

14. Powerline corridor

15. Cleveland Dam

Along the Way

• Eagle Bluffs — panoramic views of Georgia Strait, Howe Sound, Vancouver Island, and Mount Baker

• Black Mountain summit (1,217m) — highest point on the West Van section

• Cabin Lake — pristine alpine lake between Black Mountain's two summits

• Alpine ponds with lily pads between Eagle Bluffs and Black Mountain

• Old-growth forest on Hollyburn Ridge

• Cleveland Dam viewpoint over Capilano Canyon at trail's end

• Part of the annual Knee Knacker ultramarathon course (48 km race since 1989)

• Orange metal trail markers guiding the entire route

Best Times to Visit

Insider Tips

• 💡

  This is a FULL DAY — start at first light

• 💡

  Arrange car shuttle or transit for point-to-point logistics

• 💡

  Resupply water at Lynn Canyon and Grouse Mountain

• 💡

  Most people break this into 2 days — no shame in that

What to Bring

Not Available

The Baden Powell Trail was built in 1971 by Boy Scouts and Girl Guides to celebrate British Columbia's centennial. Named after Lord Robert Baden-Powell, founder of Scouting, the 48 km trail spans the entire North Shore from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove.

Source · dnv.org, westvancouver.ca