Site Guide

North Hill

Directions

Drive along the High Street in Minehead and follow signs for North Hill. At the top of the hill, on the right, is a campsite. Soon after, on the right, take the concrete track and turn left to the car park. Carry down the path from the car park to the large cleared area.

Owners

Dr. P. Slade, Greenaleigh Farm - Bottom landing.
Exmoor Forest National Park -Takeoff.

Guidelines

HG & PG- Easy takeoff, easy soaring. Assess true wind direction as the wind may be brought more on to the launch area by the shape of the hill especially in an easterly. In warm months, wind may sea breeze to NW, so no longer soarable, top land before you go down.

Take off

PGs to the left and HGs to the right. The takeoff is in shelter and lower than the main ridge. The wind is usually much stronger than you think. Take care in anything measuring over 8-10mph at launch.

Bottom Landing

The PG bottom landing is at Greenaleigh Farm (BL1), immediately below take-off. This is also the emergency HG B/L. All the fields slope, so land across them. To retrieve, go half way down North Hill to sharp right hand bend with stone cross. Turn left there into track to Greenaleigh Farm. A better option is BL2, a grass triangle just before the harbour, unfortunately extensively used by dog walkers. Retrieve where road ends past harbour. Best option, BL3, is on Minehead Beach in front of Somerwest World holiday camp IF the tide is out! Don't fly into anyone on the beach, which is crowded in summer.

Top Landing

HG - Around the car park in the V in the road near Bratton Ball, West of take-off.

PG - At T/O. If busy, there are also many suitable areas near the tracks on the hill to the left of T/O.

XC Potential

Soaring from Minehead to Bossington Hill. Jump gap West to Porlock Hill for a 26 mile coastal ridge run to Ilfracombe. However there is a good chance of going down into the sea and rocks.

Hazards

While top landing, never fly South of the road, as you could get blown over back of hill into rotor. Beware of steep wind gradient and spine-back.

Nearest Phone

At the Camp site, if open or in Minehead.