Bald Hill

Bald Hill is an English soaring site full of birds — kites, buzzards, falcons and hawks thermalling in numbers that make it a bird-watcher's launch. Small takeoff area, and it needs care laying out the wing: lots of small exposed roots can snag lines. The soarable area is small but can be very thermic. Top-landing is restricted and slope-landing has cables at the base of the hill; bottom-landing must be approached with real caution.

Launch & conditions

Small launch area. Take care laying out the wing — lots of small exposed roots can snag lines on takeoff. Soarable area is small but can be very thermic.

Getting there & local rules

Park in the car park at Cowleaze Wood (SU 726 957). Turn right out of the car park and walk to the site. Landings: top-landing is restricted, slope-landing has cables at the base of the hill, and bottom-landing must be approached with caution.

Local rules & hazards

Cables at the base of the hill on the slope-landing side. Bottom-landing needs a careful approach.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Bald Hill, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Bald Hill with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.