Hepburn Wood

Hepburn Wood is a long escarpment on the east side of the Glendale Valley in Northumberland, England — about two-thirds forested, with a rock-covered face of heather and grass. It works best in a westerly, with a small tolerance for south wind. The main takeoff is small with a fence 15 m behind — paragliders often prefer to launch lower down the south of the ridge instead. Hang-glider pilots need to commit: the ridge is steep with strong lift, so get the nose down and wings level before taking off.

Launch & conditions

Very small takeoff area with a fence 15 m behind. PGs: prefer to take off lower down to the south of the ridge. HGs: very steep ridge with strong lift — get your nose down and your wings level before taking off.

Getting there & local rules

From the A697 at Powburn, head north towards Wooler. At the sawmill turn right onto the B6346. Follow it to a T-junction and turn left; this road brings you beneath Old Bewick. Then either: (a) just past a large stone barn, turn right at a row of cottages and follow a rutted lane through gates past the Old Bewick parking area to the lane's end, then follow the path as marked on the map; or (b) continue along the road for ½ mile and turn right up a lane signposted 'Bewick Folly' — drive through the farm with the barns on your left, then stop.

Local rules & hazards

Take care top-landing behind the walled section — rotor there. Do not end up in the trees — they produce rotor and turbulence in strong westerlies. HG bottom-land: the field slopes down into the wind — approach low to avoid overshooting.

Check conditions before you fly

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