Take-off
There is a small flat grassy peninsula that protrudes from the coastal path. This is the old launch area (///elated.salmon.trail). It is very small and being flat will almost certainly mean it is in rotor.
Portland West paragliding site and weather forecast
Dorset / Wiltshire. Live seven-day flying weather, launch directions and site information for Portland West.
Altitude91 m
Launch directionsW
Coordinates50.5549, -2.4453
AreaDorset / Wiltshire
Managing club: Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club
Flying profile
Best Workable Not recorded
Portland West is a hill site in Dorset / Wiltshire with a recorded launch elevation of 91 m. It works best in westerly winds, and can also work in north-westerly winds. Pilots fly it for ridge soaring, using foot launch.
- Terrain
- hill
- Lift
- ridge soaring
- Launch
- foot launch
- Cross-country
- Not recorded
Recent forecast scores
Day scores for Portland West from Magic Skyweed's latest forecast runs (17 Sept, 17:28 UTC), on our 0–100 flying scale. The live forecast scores every hour against your own glider and limits.
- Thu 17 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Fri 18 Sept60/100 Good · ridgemedium confidence
- Sat 19 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Sun 20 Sept66/100 Good · ridgemedium confidence
- Mon 21 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Tue 22 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Wed 23 Sept0/100 No-golow confidence
When the wind is wrong for Portland West
The nearest site we have rated for each wind direction Portland West doesn't cover.
Monksdownnortherly wind, 54 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 258 m · N launchPortland Eastnorth-easterly wind, 1 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 113 m · NE launchConey s Castleeasterly wind, 40 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 188 m · E launchBallard Downsouth-easterly wind, 36 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 53 m · SE, S launchWhite Horsesoutherly wind, 12 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 143 m · S launchRingsteadsouth-westerly wind, 12 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 118 m · SW launch
Site briefing highlights
Short extracts from Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club and ParaglidingEarth. Read the full guide before you fly.
Landing
Top landing: Top landings have been done on the steeply sloping grass to the right of take- off, and this seems to work.
Access and parking
From Weymouth follow signs to Portland. Once on the island follow the only road to the top of the hill.
Flight rules
See http://www.wessexhgpg.org.uk/Sites/SiteGuide/PortlandWest.pdf
Hazards and cautions
- The spur take-off area is small, and has obstacles around it. Also, vertical drops from the sides and in front. The Olympic rings take off can be slippery when wet, often members of public present, lamp post directly behind take off and a Main road just below take off. This is a cliff site. Normal precautions apply with respect to rotor during launch. There is a disused quarry directly behind the Spur take off, being blown back here would be highly hazardous. Bottom landing directly beneath take off is very limited, if going down ensure you fly out before losing too much height to enable a landing on Chesil Beach or the promenade. The weather can change rapidly here as with all coastal sites, any increase in wind speed can have a dramatic effect on flying conditions and landing options. Be aware of orographic cloud forming over the cliffs.
Check current site guidance
Paragliding sites near Portland West
Portland East1 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 113 m · NE launchRingstead12 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 118 m · SW launchWhite Horse12 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 143 m · S launchFriar Waddon13 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 101 m · S launchKimmeridge25 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 153 m · SW launchCowdown27 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 201 m · W, NW 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.
More paragliding sites in the UK · Read the paragliding weather guide