Lions Bay-Britannia Beach

Howe Sound corridor of steep coast, mining history, parks, and Sea to Sky viewpoints.

Lions Bay-Britannia Beach is the steep, scenic stretch of Howe Sound between West Vancouver and Squamish. Most people see it through a windshield on the Sea to Sky Highway, then keep going to Whistler. That is a shame, because the road here passes some of the easiest short escapes from Vancouver: pocket beaches, dark forest trails, mountain viewpoints, and the old Britannia copper mine.

This is not a single town in the usual sense. It is a chain of small communities and parks pinned between the water and the Coast Mountains: Lions Bay, Porteau Cove, Furry Creek, Britannia Beach, and the forested slopes above them. The geography is dramatic and a little unforgiving; settlement has always had to squeeze into the few flat places.

The strongest stops are Britannia Mine Museum, Porteau Cove Provincial Park, and the hikes from Lions Bay and the Howe Sound Crest. Come with a car, good shoes, and enough time to get out of the traffic stream.

Guide

Getting There

The Sea to Sky Highway, British Columbia Highway 99, is the only practical road through the corridor. From Vancouver, Lions Bay is about 30 minutes in light traffic and Britannia Beach is closer to 45 minutes. Summer weekends can be much slower.

Public transit reaches Lions Bay from West Vancouver, but most of the parks and communities farther north are not useful by bus. If you want to visit Porteau Cove, Britannia Beach, or the higher trailheads, come by car.

Guide

Things to Do

The best stops here are spread along Highway 99. Pick two or three rather than trying to sample everything, especially if you plan to hike.