Burnbank
North West Lakes - W of Loweswater
NNW - NE
Overview
The flying here can be very good with spectacular scenery and it's a great place to escape the crowds.
It is one of the few northerly sites available but note that in summer it can sea breeze early from the west.
Burnbank offers various XC opportunities from short first steps to full on epic mountain flights for the experienced.
Important!
Before flying a fee of £1 per pilot is to to be paid at Fangs Brow Farm
Please see the photo of the farmyard, leave money on the step the Land Rover is pointing at.
Access
Car park OS grid ref: NY105226
Getting There
The best approach is from the A5086 via Mockerkin. Parking is on the side of the road outside the field gate.
Getting to takeoff
From the entrance gate follow the unsurfaced road. After the next two gates strike off straight up the fell. Initially the path is indistinct but becomes obvious where it becomes steeper, this final section of the walk up is a short but steep haul. Once at the top there is a good choice of flat grassy take offs.
Hang glider pilots may seek permission to drive to the foot of the hill (needs 4x4), unload and then drive back to the road to park.
Permission to use site
The Clark family, Fangs Brow Farm.
Flying
Hazards
Suitable for novice CPs as long as they respect both windy days and strongly thermic days.
Beware of turbulence in fresh winds. The site can become increasingly turbulent the more easterly the wind and the stronger the wind.
In summer the site can sea breeze early from the west becoming un-soarable, but without particularly affecting safety.
Take Off
There are various grassy take off areas with no obstructions and lots of room behind.
Landing Areas
This site has excellent top and bottom landings. For top landings there's loads of space and no obstructions, a great 'forgiving' space for beginners.
Pilots can land anywhere between the fell and the parking area, but please avoid disturbing livestock.
Flying
Given the right wind conditions; the flying here can be very good throughout the year, spectacular scenery and a great place to escape the crowds.
XC potential
A flight 1km SE to Carling Knott and back is easy. Flights towards the Kirkstile Pub and then onto Melbreak give plenty of landing options and we have permission to land in the fields you will fly over.
For experienced XC pilots: Due south the terrain is remote and care should be exercised, the potential for a long walk out is quite high!
The ridge from Red Pike to Herdus works well and a flight over High Stile and the Buttermere fells or a crossing over Ennerdale enables further options.
