Take-off
The launch area is very pilot friendly. There is plenty of space to lay out wings, virtually no obstructions, and a nice gentle slope that steepens rapidly.
White Horse paragliding site and weather forecast
Dorset / Wiltshire. Live seven-day flying weather, launch directions and site information for White Horse.
Altitude143 m
Launch directionsS
Coordinates50.6593, -2.4044
AreaDorset / Wiltshire
Managing club: Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club
Flying profile
Best Workable Not recorded
White Horse is a hill site in Dorset / Wiltshire with a recorded launch elevation of 143 m. It works best in southerly winds, and can also work in south-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
Recent forecast scores
Day scores for White Horse 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 Sept0/100 No-gohigh confidence
- Sat 19 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Sun 20 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Mon 21 Sept53/100 Marginal · top-to-bottommedium confidence
- Tue 22 Sept35/100 No-go · top-to-bottommedium confidence
- Wed 23 Sept34/100 No-go · top-to-bottomlow confidence
When the wind is wrong for White Horse
The nearest site we have rated for each wind direction White Horse doesn't cover.
Monksdownnortherly wind, 43 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 258 m · N launchPortland Eastnorth-easterly wind, 12 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 113 m · NE launchHambledon Hilleasterly wind, 31 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 150 m · E launchBallard Downsouth-easterly wind, 33 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 53 m · SE, S launchPortland Westwesterly wind, 12 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 91 m · W launchCowdownnorth-westerly wind, 17 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 201 m · W, NW launch
Site briefing highlights
Short extracts from Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club. Read the full guide before you fly.
Landing
Top landing: There is a large easy top landing area, making this a good place for low airtime pilots to practice.
Access and parking
From Dorchester – Follow the A354 toward Weymouth. 2.0 miles from the Dorchester bypass, bear left onto the road signposted to Broadmayne. Follow this road for a further 2.0 miles.
Hazards and cautions
- THE SITE CAN BE VERY TURBULENT IF THE WIND HAS ANY EAST IN IT DUE TO ROTOR FROM THE RIDGE IN FRONT. If the wind speed exceeds 18mph, hang gliders should note that it is always turbulent, but that conditions often smooth out 100 - 200 ft above take-off. This effect is caused by the cliffs upwind. It can also be turbulent behind the trees at the bottom of the hill so all pilots should avoid scratching too low down. Aero modellers fly from the bowl to the right of take-off. The owner runs a horse riding establishment, and uses the tracks in the vicinity of launch. Please take great care not to spook any horses! Avoid landing near them, avoid flying low over them, avoid inflating wings when a horse is approaching and wait until they are well clear.
Check current site guidance
Paragliding sites near White Horse
Ringstead5 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 118 m · SW launchFriar Waddon8 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 101 m · S launchPortland East12 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 113 m · NE launchPortland West12 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 91 m · W launchCowdown17 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 201 m · W, NW launchKimmeridge22 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 153 m · 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