- Difficulty Intermediate
- Time 1.25 hours
- Round-Trip 2km
- Elevation Gain 175 meters
- Season year-round
- Camping No
- From Vancouver 3 hours
- Public Transit No
- Dog Friendly Yes
View Trail MapPender Hill is located on the Sunshine Coast in Pender Harbour and is a short, steep hike that provides incredible views of the surrounding area. From various viewpoints near the top, the views include one looking down towards Hotel Lake, across to Mount Daniel, across Pender Harbour, and out towards the Strait of Georgia.
From the parking area, follow the narrow trail next to the sign as you quickly head into the forest. Within a minute, the trail begins to climb quickly as you make your way uphill. Follow the worn path as the ascent becomes steeper, making sure to stay on the trail as there are no trail markers.
Eventually, the trail reaches a junction where both routes will rejoin each other about 30-meters up the trail. Go left and follow the path that wraps around the east side, looking up to catch occasional glimpses of a view between the trees. There likely were clear views from this side of the hill at some point but the trees have grown and now block those views.
Go left as the trail rejoins the other trail and continue hiking uphill on a more gradual pace. Within minutes, the trails exits from the forest and you walk up over a large rock as you make your way to a bench that sits near the peak of Pender Hill.
Continue walking past the peak and down the hill to a viewpoint directly above Hotel Lake that gives you an incredible view looking across the harbour and towards Mount Daniel. From there, you can walk back up slightly and to the west where there is an open area that gives a different view across the harbour and looks out towards the Strait of Georgia.
After enjoying and taking photos of the many viewpoints, return to the peak of the hill and follow the worn path back into the forest as you begin your descent. This time, go left at the junction, taking the slightly shorter route back down as it rejoins the trail shortly after. Watch your step as you descend down some of the rocks and steep sections. In no time, the steepness of the descent begins to level and you return to the parking lot area where you began your hike.
How to get to Pender Hill
Estimated Driving Time from Vancouver
3 hours
Pender Hill is located on the Sunshine Coast near Pender Harbour. If you are planning to drive from Vancouver, you will have to take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale (Gibsons). The trailhead is approximately a 70km drive from the ferry terminal near at Langdale.
Follow Highway 101 the Sunshine Coast Highway north towards Sechelt. Zero your odometer in Sechelt and continue driving north along Highway 101 for about 36km, following the winding highway.
Turn left onto Garden Bay Road next to a Petro Canada gas station. Follow Garden Bay Road for awhile until it passes Garden Bay Lake directly to your left. At the far end of Garden Bay Lake, make sure to go straight and onto Irvines Landing Road (Garden Bay Road goes left).
Follow Irvines Landing Road as you pass Mixal Lake to the right and eventually Hotel Lake to the left. After Hotel Lake, continue driving straight as you drive down a short hill, then turn right onto Lee Road. Lee Road passes an incredible coastal view to the left but keep following Lee Road up a hill until you get to Coastview Road on the right. Turn right onto Coastview Road and, immediately to the left, is a gravel driveway that leads to the parking area for Pender Hill. Drive into the parking lot and park here, ensuring not to block the metal gate.
View a map of Driving directions to Pender Hill.
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