Take-off
Option 1: Walk up the obvious bridleway to Ellerbeck Farm. Then at the BL (on the map) keep the wall on your right and walk straight up the hill. A flat area 30m below the main ridge is a good resting place.
Whernside paragliding site and weather forecast
Yorkshire Dales. Live seven-day flying weather, launch directions and site information for Whernside.
Altitude579 m
Launch directionsE, SE
Coordinates54.2223, -2.4016
AreaYorkshire Dales
Managing club: Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · Access: open
Flying profile
Best Workable Not recorded
Whernside is a hill site in Yorkshire Dales with a recorded launch elevation of 579 m. It works best in easterly and south-easterly 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 Whernside
The nearest site we have rated for each wind direction Whernside doesn't cover.
Longridge fellnortherly wind, 40 km away · Pennine Soaring Club · 335 m · N, NW launchCow Closenorth-easterly wind, 17 km away · Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 527 m · NE launchStags Fellsoutherly wind, 18 km away · Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 469 m · S, SW launchBrant Sidesouth-westerly wind, 7 km away · Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 493 m · SW launchDodd Fellwesterly or north-westerly wind, 10 km away · Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 515 m · W, NW launch
Site briefing highlights
Short extracts from Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club. Read the full guide before you fly.
Access and parking
Option 1: A number of options but all involve a long walk. On any day except a Sunday you can park in the church carpark in Chapel-le-Dale (feel free to make a donation).
Hazards and cautions
- Pilots (especially paragliders) should be aware of the severe wind gradient that is often present. In soarable conditions, do not be tempted to launch from the ledge half way up the hill, always walk to the top and check the wind speed before launching.
- No access or parking up the track leading to Ellerbeck farm like we use to.
- Jump to the site map ↓
Check current site guidance
Paragliding sites near Whernside
Brant Side7 km away · Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 493 m · SW launchBarkin Fell9 km away · Cumbria Soaring Club · 500 m · SE launchDodd Fell10 km away · Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 515 m · W, NW launchWether Fell14 km away · Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 544 m · W, NW launchCow Close17 km away · Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 527 m · NE launchStags Fell18 km away · Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 469 m · S, SW 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