Hunter Logging Road

Hunter Logging Road in Mission, BC is one of those hikes that’s way better at the end than it feels at the start. It’s a 7.7 km out-and-back on a gravel logging road with about 320 m of gain, usually done in around 2 to 2.5 hours. The tradeoff is simple: a pretty bland road walk up, a seriously rewarding lookout over Stave Lake, Mount Robie Reid, and the surrounding peaks at the top.

The hike starts working your legs right away, with the steepest stretch in the first 1 to 1.5 km before it eases into a steady grind. You’re on wide gravel the whole way, passing a bunch of side roads and junctions, so it feels more like a service road than a classic forest trail. The main viewpoint has a big rock slab you can climb onto and just hang out while you take in the wide-open views north toward Stave Lake and, on clear days, even down toward Mount Baker if you tack on the side detour.

Current reports say Hunter Logging Road is still an active logging area, so it’s better to go on weekends or off-hours and always follow posted signs. Do not rely on old “always stay left” advice at the forks; new roads are being cut, so download the map and follow your GPS, especially since there’s no cell service for most of the route. The road can be dusty, the first section is a bit steep and rocky, and bugs can be relentless in warmer months, so bring good shoes, poles if you like them, and lots of bug spray. The small parking lot fills fast and there’s no overflow or washrooms, so have a backup Mission hike in mind in case you can’t park.