Lund is a village of about 240 people (2016) near the northern end of British Columbia‘s Sunshine Coast. It’s quiet, out of the way and has a beautiful setting with the snow-capped peaks of Vancouver Island across Georgia Street on one side and the green rise of the Coast Mountains on the other. Not surprisingly then, it’s a great place to relax or if you’re looking for some time in the great outdoors.
. . . Lund (British Columbia) . . .
Lund was named by brothers Frederick and Charles Thulin, who came from Tryserum near Valdemarsvik, Sweden. When they settled at the harbour in December 1889, they named it after Lund, Sweden, because it was Swedish and fairly easy for non-Scandinavians to pronounce. When they arrived, there were native homes around the harbour The Thulins built a store and in 1892 a post office was added, followed by the first licensed hotel north of Vancouver two years later. Logging and fishing were the source of income in the early years. Transportation was by water. A second hotel, called the Malaspina, was built by the Thulins. When the original hotel was destroyed by a forest fire in 1918, the newer hotel, which continues to operate in the village, was renamed the Lund Hotel. A paved road leading south to Vancouver was completed in 1954 and coastal steamer service ended two years later. The original wharf built by the Thulins was damaged by a storm in 1954 and replaced by a government wharf.
The main way in (and out) of town is Highway 101 (Sunshine Coast Highway). Powell River is 22 kilometres (14 mi) south by road, from where BC Ferries offers service to Comox on Vancouver Island to the west across the Strait of Georgia.
Transportation is also available from Powell River by private aircraft or scheduled service with Pacific Coastal Airlines, which offers half-hour flights to Vancouver.
Road access to Vancouver to the south involves two ferry crossings of fjords along the Sunshine Coast. From Vancouver, it will take about 5-6 hours, depending on the wait time at the ferries.
If you have a boat, moorage is available.
The townsite is small and can be covered by foot. A car or boat will be needed to get to some outlying attractions, restaurants, etc.
If you want to go to one of the islands or be dropped off somewhere around Desolation Sound for hiking, kayaking, etc., a water taxi is an easy option.
- Lund Water Taxi (at Lund Marina (end of the highway)), ☎+1 604-483-9749. Provides transport to various islands in the Lund region. Also offers a bicycle and kayak transfer service.
. . . Lund (British Columbia) . . .