Hiking Tin Hat Hut on the Sunshine Coast Trail

Did you know that there is a 14 hut-to-hut hiking trail that starts only a few hours from downtown Vancouver? 180 kilometres long, it is Canadian’s longest – and only free – trail of it’s kind.

One of those huts, Tin Hat, can be done as either a day hike or overnight, offering a sneak peak into the wonders and quiet of the Sunshine Coast.

Why go?

The two main reasons to go are:

1) This trail is a lot quieter than those closer to Vancouver, so is a good choice if you are looking for some solitude.

2) The views are outstanding – 360 from the summit!

The advantage of backpacking this trail versus just day hiking it is being able to enjoy incredible sunsets and sunrises at the top.

Trail Stats

• Approximately 5km (3miles) each way (from the parking instructions listed below)
• Approximately 697m (2287ft) of elevation gain
• I’ve created my best approximation of the hike using Fat Maps, which you can access here.

How to get there

The journey is half the fun in getting to Tin Hat. The first step is to book a 40 minute ferry from Horseshoe Bay near Vancouver to Langdale on the sunshine coast. You then drive 80kms (about 1.5hours) from the ferry terminal in Langdale to the ferry terminal in Earl’s Cove. Here you’ll catch a free 50 minute ferry that takes you to Powell River in Saltery Bay (this ferry costs about $80 on the return – but you pay upon arrival at the terminal). It’s best to reserve your spot on the Horseshoe Bay/Langdale Ferry in advance, especially in the summer. For the Earl’s Cove/Powell River Ferry, try and get to the terminal at least 30 minutes in advance to make sure you get on. Since there are no reservations on this one, you might have to wait for the next if it’s busy! Ferry travel is slow travel, and as such, always come prepared with snacks and something to do while you wait, both while waiting to board but also while on the ferry (though I always prefer to take in the incredible scenery!).

Once in Saltery Bay, drive another 30 minutes approximately to where the main road intersects a logging road at Lang Bay (the Lang Bay Store is a google marker for where to turn). This is where it gets interesting!

You’ll follow a series of logging roads for about 45 minutes to a couple of small pullouts where you can park before starting your hike. I recommend you buy a Backroad Mapbook to avoid getting lost, as cell service is spotty. Download the area offline or take screenshots of the instructions or coordinates!

There are 2 parking spaces at 49°57’09.3″N 124°22’36.0″W. If you have a car that can make it further up the road, there are a few other large pullouts you can park in. The marker on Google Maps for Tin Hat Trailhead currently takes you to the above coordinates, but isn’t the actual start of the trail. The actual start of the trail is about 1km up the road, at 49°57’25.0″N 124°22’43.1″W.

Please be mindful that these are active logging roads, meaning during the week you may encounter active logging trucks.

What the trail is like

There are technically 2 trails off the summit of Tin Hat, which makes trail selection a bit confusing as I experienced when asking about it in some community groups before setting out. There is technically an east approach and a west approach. I only hiked the west approach out and back, but you could make it a loop if you are okay walking on logging roads for a bit.

The western approach, the one I took, starts at the coordinates listed above. The general understanding is that this is the most straightforward and shorter of the two approaches, however it is more exposed to the sun.

The eastern approach is described as much more pleasant and shaded, but longer. I cannot speak from experience.

I’m about to describe the western approach.

The trail is fairly exposed to the sun, so start early or later in the day to avoid direct heat, and bring sun protection! You start the trail on a logging road, then duck into the shade of the trees between two cutblock areas. Eventually you start ascending a ridge back out into the sun, where you get great views of the surrounding mountains and the valley below.

From here, you’ll continue to follow a trail that crosses over a few logging roads (if you have a 4WD, you could keep driving up to pretty close to the summit). Eventually you’ll duck back into the trees briefly before another opening along the logging road, and finally the last few kilometers will be entirely in the woods. The last 2 kilometers start getting pretty steep, with the last half a kilometer up a narrow ridge. Finally, you’ll emerge on the false summit of the mountain, where the hut and camping areas are set up. Keep going up to the summit (another 10-15min) for 360 degree views of the surrounding fjords and mountains.

You can get more information about the rest of the sunshine coast trail and more detailed maps about the hut on the official Sunshine Coast Trail website.

How to prepare

The most important thing to note about this hike is that there are no water sources at the start or the top. That means that you need to hike up all the water you’ll need for yourself, for your pet (if traveling with one), and for cooking or washing. I carried 6 liters and my partner 5, so that we would have enough for ourselves and our dog. We each drank about 3 liters over 2 days, and used 3 liters for cooking dinner and breakfast, and our dog drank about a liter. We hiked out about a liter.

The cabin and the 2 tent pads nearby are first come first served, so it is good to visit in the off season or start early, or hike during the week to avoid crowds.

I have a roundup of my go-to backpacking gear here, or you can check out my day hiking list if you need inspiration on what else to pack for this trip. Don’t forget the 10 essentials!

What resources are available at the top?

• There are two composting toilets at the top. Bring your own toilet paper!
• There is a hut, which is first come first serve, but you can enjoy sleeping in for free (a $5 donation is recommended if you do use the facilities)
• Inside the hut there is also a pellet burning stove and a picnic table
• There are 3 other picnic tables throughout the site
• There are 2 wooden tent platforms, and at least 1 ground clearing for a tent.

Many thanks to the volunteers who maintain this incredible hiking trail system. Please do your part and leave no trace when visiting!