Mount Woodside Hang Gliding Launch

Mount Woodside Hang Gliding Launch near Harrison Mills isn’t a dainty forest stroll; it’s a grind up a forest service road with a huge Fraser Valley payoff at the top. The route is about 9 km out and back with around 596 m of gain, rated challenging more for the steady climb and distance than for any technical sections. If you’re ok hiking a road, the views from the Mount Woodside launch make the effort worth it.

The entire hike follows the Mount Woodside FSR, so you’re on a wide gravel road the whole way, weaving up through the trees with more and more views of the Fraser River and surrounding peaks as you climb. It’s not very technical, but it is steeper than many expect, and the open sections can feel like a slog on a hot day. The hang gliding launch itself is the real reward: a big open viewpoint over Harrison Mills, the valley, and on a clear day a long stretch of the Coast Mountains.

Recent hikers say the Mount Woodside Hang Gliding Launch trail is generally smooth but can be muddy, rocky, and slippery in spots, with snow lingering near the top in colder months, so good footwear is important. Expect vehicle traffic on sunny weekends, including trucks and 4x4s heading for the launch, and consider parking somewhere safer than the lower FSR lot due to reported break-ins. Plan 1.5–3.5 hours up depending on fitness, bring water and a snack, pack out extra trash if you can, and don’t count on facilities since the outhouse at the launch is in rough shape.