About this flying site
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Ditchling Beacon paragliding site and weather forecast
South Downs, East Sussex. Live seven-day flying weather, launch directions and site information for Ditchling Beacon.
Altitude222 m
Launch directionsN
Coordinates50.9033, -0.1097
AreaSouth Downs, East Sussex
Managing club: Southern Hang Gliding & Paragliding Club (SHGC) · Access: membership
Flying profile
Best Workable Not recorded
Ditchling Beacon is a hill site in South Downs, East Sussex with a recorded launch elevation of 222 m. It works best in northerly winds, and can also work in north-easterly and north-westerly winds. Pilots fly it for ridge soaring and thermal, using foot launch.
- Terrain
- hill
- Lift
- ridge soaring and thermal
- Launch
- foot launch
- Cross-country
- Not recorded
When the wind is wrong for Ditchling Beacon
The nearest site we have rated for each wind direction Ditchling Beacon doesn't cover.
Site briefing highlights
Short extracts from Southern Hang Gliding & Paragliding Club (SHGC) and ParaglidingEarth. Read the full guide before you fly.
Take-off
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Access and parking
SHGC South Downs site; part of the Downs XC run. Membership required. National Trust land — respect access and parking.
Local weather notes
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Flight rules
MEMBERS-ONLY SITE. Register with the Southern Hang Gliding (and Paragliding) Club (SHGC) for DAY or ANNUAL membership before flying. Permission to fly any SHGC site is sensitive, and can be easily lost.
Hazards and cautions
- Road and car park immediately behind launch
- Busy with walkers and cyclists (Beacon is a popular viewpoint)
- Gradient/rotor in strong wind
Check current site guidance
Paragliding sites near Ditchling Beacon
Devil's Dyke8 km away · Southern Hang Gliding Club · 193 m · N, NW launchMount Caburn12 km away · Southern Hang Gliding Club · 137 m · S, SW launchFirle16 km away · Southern Hang Gliding Club · 165 m · N, NW launchNewhaven Cliffs17 km away · Southern Hang Gliding Club · 55 m · S launchBo-Peep19 km away · Southern Hang Gliding Club · 183 m · NE launchHigh and Over22 km away · Southern Hang Gliding Club · 76 m · E, SE launch
Forecasts are planning aids, not safety clearance. Check current observations, official airspace and NOTAM information, local rules and your own experience before every flight.
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