Whitestones paragliding site and weather forecast

Lake District — Western Howgills - nr M6. Live seven-day flying weather, launch directions and site information for Whitestones.

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Altitude461 m
Launch directionsSW, W
Coordinates54.3797, -2.5652
AreaLake District — Western Howgills - nr M6

Managing club: Cumbria Soaring Club · Access: open

Flying profile

N: not recordedNE: not recordedE: not recordedSE: not recordedS: not recordedSW: bestW: bestNW: not recordedNNEESESSWWNW

Best Workable Not recorded

Whitestones is a hill site in Lake District — Western Howgills - nr M6 with a recorded launch elevation of 461 m. It works best in south-westerly and 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 Whitestones from Magic Skyweed's latest forecast runs (17 Sept, 16:08 UTC), on our 0–100 flying scale. The live forecast scores every hour against your own glider and limits.

  • Thu 17 Sept0/100 No-gohigh confidence
  • Fri 18 Sept0/100 No-gohigh confidence
  • Sat 19 Sept0/100 No-gohigh confidence
  • Sun 20 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
  • Mon 21 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
  • Tue 22 Sept68/100 Good · ridgemedium confidence
  • Wed 23 Sept0/100 No-golow confidence

When the wind is wrong for Whitestones

The nearest site we have rated for each wind direction Whitestones doesn't cover.

Cow Closenorth-easterly wind, 36 km away · Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 527 m · NE launchWhernsideeasterly wind, 20 km away · Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 579 m · E, SE launchBarkin Fellsouth-easterly wind, 12 km away · Cumbria Soaring Club · 500 m · SE launchStags Fellsoutherly wind, 25 km away · Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 469 m · S, SW launchFarleton Knottnorth-westerly wind, 20 km away · Cumbria Soaring Club · 154 m · SW, W, NW launch

Site briefing highlights

Short extracts from Cumbria Soaring Club. Read the full guide before you fly.

Take-off

Depending on the breeze anywhere on the fell but best at the top left or right as you look at the hill from the car park.

Landing

Can be entertaining! There is a stream gully and a large tree stump as well as the parked cars to avoid. It can be quite deceptive as the slope is just about your glide angle. Aim to land short if it is thermic.

Access and parking

Car Park OS Grid Ref: SD629979 Best approached from the A685 between Tebay and Kendal. From the north, leave the M6 at J38 and take the right turn at the roundabout from Tebay. Approx.

Hazards and cautions

  • Flying mid week needs to be treated with caution as fast jets often use the immediate area.
  • Always CANP mid week.
  • Do not get low in the gulleys and keep well forward; if windy, getting blown over the back is not an option.
  • Can be very thermic generally and bouncy in the landing area and rough if the wind goes off to the south.

Check current site guidance

Paragliding sites near Whitestones

Barkin Fell12 km away · Cumbria Soaring Club · 500 m · SE launchBrigsteer17 km away · Cumbria Soaring Club · 135 m · SW, W launchTailbridge18 km away · Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 526 m · SW, W launchBrant Side18 km away · Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 493 m · SW launchFarleton Knott20 km away · Cumbria Soaring Club · 154 m · SW, W, NW launchWhernside20 km away · Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 579 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.

More paragliding sites in the UK · Read the paragliding weather guide