New York offers a wide range of exciting hang gliding opportunities, with scenic launch sites in both mountainous and rural areas. The state also has several well-known hang gliding schools and companies for both beginners and advanced gliders.
Top Hang Gliding Locations in New York
Altamont (Altamont, New York)
Altamont offers open skies and stunning rural views, making it a popular launch site.
Ashokan High Point (West Shokan, New York)
Located in the Catskills, Ashokan High Point provides great conditions for hang gliding.
Bee Hill (Kerhonkson, New York)
Bee Hill offers open landscapes and favorable winds, making it an excellent spot for experienced gliders.
Brace Mountain (Millerton, New York)
Brace Mountain is known for its beautiful views and reliable flying conditions, making it a top choice for hang gliders.
Bristol (South Bristol, New York)
This launch site provides great scenery and consistent winds for hang gliding.
Dansville (Dansville, New York)
Dansville is a well-known spot with open skies and favorable flying conditions.
Ellenville (Ellenville, New York)
One of the most popular hang gliding locations in New York, Ellenville offers ideal conditions and scenic views of the Shawangunk Ridge.
Finger Lakes Aerotow Park (Macedon, New York)
Located in the Finger Lakes region, this park is perfect for aerotow launches, offering scenic views of the Finger Lakes area.
Hammondsport/Mt. Washington (Hammondsport, New York)
This site provides hang gliders with stunning views over the Finger Lakes region.
Hancock (Hancock, New York)
A scenic location with open skies, great for long flights.
Harris Hill (Elmira, New York)
Known for its long history with gliding, Harris Hill offers excellent thermals and a well-established flying culture.
Indian Cliffs (Elmira, New York)
Indian Cliffs is another great launch site near Elmira, offering favorable conditions for hang gliding.
Italy Valley (Italy, New York)
This picturesque site offers steady winds and a peaceful, rural setting for hang gliding.
Little Mountain (Olive, New York)
Little Mountain is a favored location for local gliders, offering great wind conditions and scenic views.
Katydid (Chemung, New York)
Katydid is another well-known hang gliding site, popular for its reliable conditions.
Mossy Banks (Bath, New York)
This site offers beautiful views and favorable flying conditions for hang gliders.
Mount Utsayantha (Stamford, New York)
A scenic launch site with great flying conditions and expansive views.
Overlook Mountain (Woodstock, New York)
Located near Woodstock, Overlook Mountain provides great flying conditions and views of the Hudson Valley.
Petersburgh Pass (Petersburgh, New York)
A beautiful launch site offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Sugarloaf Mountain (Warrensburg, New York)
Sugarloaf Mountain provides great views and conditions for hang gliders in the Adirondacks region.
Susquehanna Flight Park (Cooperstown, New York)
This launch site offers lessons and flights with spectacular views of the surrounding area.
West Mountain (Glens Falls, New York)
West Mountain is known for its high-altitude launches and beautiful views of the Adirondacks.
Whiteface Mountain (Wilmington, New York)
One of the tallest peaks in the state, Whiteface Mountain offers spectacular views and excellent conditions for advanced gliders.
Hang Gliding Companies in New York
Cooperstown Hang Gliding
- Website: www.cooperstownhanggliding.com
- Location: Susquehanna Flight Park, Cooperstown, New York
- Details: Cooperstown Hang Gliding offers lessons and tandem flights at Susquehanna Flight Park.
Finger Lakes Aerotow Park
- Location: Macedon, New York
- Details: Finger Lakes Aerotow Park offers aerotow flights and scenic gliding experiences in the Finger Lakes region.
Fly High Hang Gliding
- Website: www.flyhighhg.com
- Location: Pine Bush, New York
- Details: Fly High Hang Gliding offers lessons and flights in the Pine Bush area, providing stunning views of the Hudson Valley.
Mountain Wings
- Website: www.mtnwings.com
- Location: Ellenville, New York
- Details: Mountain Wings is a premier hang gliding school offering lessons, tandem flights, and scenic glides from Ellenville, one of the top flying sites in the state.
Alternative Outdoor Activities in New York
New York offers a wide range of outdoor activities beyond hang gliding:
- Hiking: Explore trails in the Adirondacks and Catskills for stunning mountain views.
- Rock Climbing: Head to Shawangunk Ridge for world-class climbing routes.
- Kayaking and Canoeing: Paddle through Hudson River or Finger Lakes for peaceful water adventures.
Safety Tips and Best Time to Visit
The best time for hang gliding in New York is during the spring, summer, and fall when weather conditions are favorable. Always check weather forecasts before flying and ensure proper safety measures are in place.
Conclusion
New York offers incredible hang gliding opportunities, from the scenic views of Ellenville to the high-altitude flights at Whiteface Mountain. With a variety of launch sites and companies like Mountain Wings and Cooperstown Hang Gliding offering lessons, the state is a great destination for hang gliding enthusiasts.
Hang Gliding in the US – Choose a State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming