Mystery Peak is one of the well-visited sub peaks on Mount Seymour near Vancouver, Canada. Lots of non-hikers have visited this peak as it’s the top of the Mystery Peak Express chairlift for the Mount Seymour Ski Resort. This means you cannot do this hike when the ski resort is open BUT it’s a fun mini bump with great views at other times. While there is still snow, you probably won’t have this peak all to yourself, but you might find yourself alone here in summer (when most people continue straight on to Brockton Point or First Pump Peak.)

I’ve done this mini hike quite a few times so I’ll share photos of the route covered in snow, as well as “naked” in the sunshine. It’s great either way!

Mystery Peak map

This map shows the route via Mystery Lake. But I’ve also linked this peak up with Suicide Bluffs, De Pencier Bluffs or any of the main Mount Seymour Peaks. This sub peak is only 30m higher than the main trail towards Mount Seymour, so it’s easy to tack it onto other hikes.

Mystery Peak the basics

Distance: 4.3 km
Cumulative Elevation gain: 255m
Highest Point: 1230m
Time: 1-2 hours (we recorded 1.5 hours moving time, including time playing in the snow)
What to bring: The 10 Essentials
Facilities: There are loos in the parking lot.
Dogs: Great for dogs, but you should keep them on a lead
How hard is it? Easy. It’s the second easiest peak on Mount Seymour (the easiest is Dog Mountain.)

Mystery Peak – Getting Started

First check if the ski hill is open. If it is, you’ll need to choose a different hike. Start at the base of the Mystery Peak Express, in the Mount Seymour Ski Resort. Take the Mystery Peak trail by crossing under the chairlift to the right of the main trail up Mount Seymour. You can also take the route towards Pump Peak, but the first option is nicer.

I should also mention, that the parking area has fabulous views over to Mount Baker. Stop to peek at the views down the Lodge chairlift before you start.

The trail can be a little wild, especially while there is still snow. But there are some fab views.

Mystery Lake

Just over 1 km along the trail, you’ll climb up a steep slope to reach Mystery Lake. I have heard that this is a good spot to swim in the summer. The lake totally disappears in winter and spring, under piles of snow and ice.

From the lake, you have two ways to reach Mystery Peak. Either follow the trail east around the back of the Brockton chairlift, or west under the Mystery Peak chairlift.

We normally go east (as I love the area around the Brockton chairlift, especially when it is covered in floofy snow.)

There is a building between the two chairlifts where you might find large icicles!

This is the scenery at the cliffs near Mystery Peak looking west towards the North Shore Mountains.

Mystery Peak Yurt

You’ll know you’ve made it when you reach the yurt and the chairlift on Mystery Peak. You can hire this space, and even have a wedding up here if you fancy it!

Mystery Peak Views

This is looking east towards De Pencier Bluffs.

And this is the view from Mystery Peak down to Vancouver. You can see where the land juts out into the sea at UBC, and Stanley Park.

The area below the chairlift is fun to explore in the summertime, but there are not many trails and there are plenty of cliffs, so be really careful if you go off-piste exploring this area. It maybe be within view of the city, but you’re in the wilderness.

It’s much bushier and rockier than you’d expect if you’ve skied here!

Hike down the ski runs

We often walk or snowshoe down the ski runs as the views are so gorgeous. This is the view down the Northlands ski run.

Or, the other popular route down is down the Manning Run, which is more like a road once the snow has melted.

The trail to Mystery Peak is short, sweet and not very hard so it is perfect when you just want to be outside for a couple of hours.

Other fab trails on Mount Seymour

• Easy flat-ish walk with great city views – Dog Mountain (or Dog Mountain in winter)
• Short, quiet and not famous but fabulous views – Suicide Bluffs
• When the ski resort is closed, De Pencier Bluffs is a great trail. Short, and not busy.
• Super North Shore hike; Easy in summer or intermediate in snow – Pump Peak
• Beyond Pump Peak – Intermediate in summer (avoid in snow) – Tim Jones Peak
• Next, is more of a climb to Mount Seymour – Intermediate in summer (avoid in snow)
• Less famous but gorgeous hike through the trees – Intermediate in summer – Devils Peak
• Amazing summer hike – Challenging with several creek crossings – Mount Underhill
• Challenging hike beyond Mount Seymour (very dangerous in snow) – Mount Elsay

If you are hungry after your hike, finish with a visit to Deep Cove. We often head there for post-hike honey doughnuts. The doughnuts are pretty greasy and cake-y rather than bread-y, but they taste amazing while they are hot.

Panorama time

I’ll finish with a couple of panoramas as they are so fun to stitch together.