Bridges

Bridges launches from a 900-foot hilltop northwest of Auckland, New Zealand, on private farmland where pilots are expected to call ahead before heading up — the owners are welcoming but it's basic courtesy on a working farm. Getting there means driving State Highway 16 past Kaukapakapa, turning onto West Coast Road, and continuing about 2 km to the old fire station building, then up a genuinely rough access track that needs a 4WD with good ground clearance and is only driveable in dry conditions. Growing pine trees in front of the top takeoff have steadily narrowed the usable wind window since the site's ratings were last reviewed in 2005, and further growth since then means extreme caution is now essential — only launch when the wind runs straight up the cut between the trees and the streamers confirm it. The site also sits on the edge of controlled airspace, with a 3,500-foot ceiling directly above launch that steps up to 4,500 feet further north, so notifying the local airfield before flying is expected.

Launch & conditions

Growing pine trees in front of the top takeoff have narrowed the usable wind window since ratings were last reviewed in 2005, and continued growth means extreme caution is now needed — only launch when the wind runs straight up the cut between the trees and the streamers confirm it. The takeoff sits at 900 feet ASL.

Getting there & local rules

Always call ahead to the farmhouse before heading up — the owners are friendly but appreciate the courtesy. Vehicles can only drive up in very dry conditions; it's rough enough to need a 4WD with good ground clearance, via the cattle race, and never during milking time around 4pm. The site is about 8 km west of Dills Hill on West Coast Road — take State Highway 16 past Kaukapakapa, turn onto West Coast Road, and continue about 2 km to the old fire station building.

Local rules & hazards

The site sits on the edge of controlled airspace, with a 3,500-foot ASL ceiling directly above launch that rises to 4,500 feet once you're clear of the line running north between Five Fingers and Dills Hill. Notify the local airfield of your presence before flying.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Bridges, 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 Bridges with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.