About this flying site
Visiting pilots should make contact with a North Devon HGPG club member and pay the day fee.
Woolacombe paragliding site and weather forecast
North Devon. Live seven-day flying weather, launch directions and site information for Woolacombe.
Altitude159 m
Launch directionsW
Coordinates51.1593, -4.2056
AreaNorth Devon
Managing club: North Devon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · Access: membership
Flying profile
Best Workable Not recorded
Woolacombe is a hill site in North Devon with a recorded launch elevation of 159 m. It works best in westerly winds. Pilots fly it for ridge soaring, using foot launch.
- Terrain
- hill
- Lift
- ridge soaring
- Launch
- foot launch
- Cross-country
- Not recorded
When the wind is wrong for Woolacombe
The nearest site we have rated for each wind direction Woolacombe doesn't cover.
Selworthy Sandsnortherly wind, 45 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 191 m · N launchCodden Hillnorth-easterly wind, 18 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 175 m · NE launchGarth Hilleasterly or south-easterly wind, 77 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 196 m · E launchNantymoelsoutherly or south-westerly wind, 71 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 472 m · SW launchCountisburynorth-westerly wind, 30 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 294 m · N, NW launch
Site briefing highlights
Short extracts from North Devon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club and ParaglidingEarth. Read the full guide before you fly.
Take-off
Traditionally, Hang Glider Pilots normally rig through the gate and to the left (south) on the short grass.
Landing
Top landing: HG landing is anywhere behind the wall and safe from any obstacles. PG can land in front of the wall but please clear the take-off area as soon as you have landed.
Access and parking
From Woolacombe Village follow the road south to to the bottom of Challacombe hill. There is access to the lower parking here which is Marine Drive.
Hazards and cautions
- There is a wall that runs the length of the takeoff field that has barbed wire either side of it. We advise all PG Pilots to take off low down the hill to avoid getting dragged onto it.
- HG Pilots when landing in the back field it is recommended that you land at least 300 yards downwind of the wall to avoid any possible collision and rotor. There is a bowl in the landing field about 200 yards behind the wind sock that should be avoided. Anywhere behind that at the highest point is safe, smooth & level to land.
- HG Landing in front of the wall is only for experienced pilots and not on busy days. For a coastal site thermals can be a little feisty at times nothing dangerous, but you just need to exercise caution.
- If the search and rescue Helicopter repeatedly flies over and close to the site then a rescue is in progress and all pilots should land immediately. A large L will be displayed on takeoff and/ or a fog horn sounded but should this for some reason not happen all pilots must land anyway. Experienced pilots may fly the sand dunes if the wind is a bit too strong for the top of the hill. To reiterate, please do not fly below 100ft above the dunes to the north of Mill Rock. No taking off or landing is to take place anywhere to the north of Mill Rock either.
- Woolacombe Downs and the local area is used regularly by Horse Riders. Please give them plenty of room, space and clearance as the horses can get easily spooked by Hang Gliders and Paragliders above them.
- Acro rules: Acro, or radical manoeuvers are strictly prohibited if you are within 500 feet of any other person, in the air or on the ground. This is in accordance with the Air Navigation Order. Any manoeuvre which, if it went wrong and could contravene the above rule, is also prohibited. An example of this is: A deep spiral directly over other persons, but greater than 500 feet away, that, if it became unrecoverable could impact those below.
Check current site guidance
Paragliding sites near Woolacombe
Westward Ho! Lower Cliff14 km away · North Devon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 43 mCodden Hill18 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 175 m · NE launchTrentishoe Cliffs18 km away · North Devon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 132 mCountisbury30 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 294 m · N, NW launchPorlock Hill41 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 327 m · NE launchBossington Hill45 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 234 m · W 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