W to NNW  (Best NW),  ALT 750ft, TTB 750ft

Directions map

From the East take A39 to Minehead straight across first roundabout, fork right at second roundabout, at T junction turn right onto High Street. Turn left off High Street and left again sign posted "North Hill", keep following signs to North Hill, drive along top of hill for about 3 miles until road ends at a car park (SS 910 477) -what3words - ///usual.sunblock.brass

The path contours round the valley to a large cairn on the horizon. From the cairn walk west to the obvious cleared/grass areas in the gorse/heather - what3words - ///mocking.hacksaw.timer

Guidelines

HG Easy

PG Easy

Take-off

The natural grassy launch areas have been extended by clearings cut into the gorse/heather, including an area on the front of the hill for high wind PG launches. Rig at the back of the take-off area and then carry forward when ready. Leave the area at the front clear for gliders to launch (and be dragged). Both HG and PG pilots should communicate to ensure that there is no clash of disciplines.

Bottom Landing (SS 892 483)

what3words - ///interrupt.brink.mute

Visible from take-off. The field next to the beach with a square "pill box" building in it. Beware landing on the beach, it slopes steeply and the stones are much larger than they look from take-off. Make sure you leave the hill with sufficient height to clear the river and reach the landing field. To retrieve from the bottom landing drive back to Minehead and take the A39 West towards Porlock. In Allerford turn right, sign posted Bossington. Drive into Bossington and you will need to park, probably in the NT car park, as the track to the beach now has bollards and is not accessible by car.

Top Landing

PGs should land in the grassy area behind the rigging area. PGs can top land on take-off, and in the grassy areas behind as long as there is no conflict with crowding or gliders trying to launch. Further back there is a grassy area North East of the cairn which can also be used by HGs. Do not go back beyond the fork in the path. Keep plenty of speed on through the dead air. Ask local HG pilots for advice. On days with reasonable height gains it is possible to fly back to an area North East of the car park, following the high ground all the way back is the safest option. Leaving with minimum of 500ft above the hill is recommended to ensure you arrive with sufficient height to turn into wind. This area can be very rough all the way to the ground.

PG Side-Slope Landing

There are many clear patches in the gorse available. Landing in the gorse is not recommended, it may take some time to pick your glider out and the spines out of you!

XC Potential

Occasional small XCs have been made, particularly on HGs. On an epic day it might be possible to pick up a thermal in the Porlock Valley and work inland but the keen XC pilot is likely to be at another site. Wave has been experienced here.

Hazards

Expect rotor when the wind goes north and blows over Hurlstone Point. PG Beware of Hang Gliders launching from the cairn.

Note

Do not leave Rigged gliders or spread-out canopies covering the two grassy areas behind the lower take-off. They are used for PG landing and need to be clear if a PG gets dragged back while launching. Also, it makes it very difficult to carry rigged HGs to the lower take-off.