Dodd Fell & Grove Head
Last edited on: 17 Feb 2025
Important information
New fence near the parking area. Not a significant hindrance but check location before taking off. Probably better to land to the West of the Pennine Way track, at the end of the day, anyway.
Status
Sensitive
This site can be flown but there are some important rules in place. Please read the information on this page very carefully.
Sites officer
North (Turn on JavaScript!)
Location
Lat, long: 54.251000, -2.262400
OS grid reference: SD 829 838
Wind direction
Dodd Fell W-NW (270-315), Grove Head NNE (000-035)
Height
1815’ (555m) AMSL 660’ (200m) Top to bottom of fell
Grade of pilot
HG – Expert.
PG – All grades.
Parking
Drive along the Cam High Road passing through 2 gates (close them) + cattle grids until reaching the Pennine Way. Park off the road on the left or right without blocking the road or the Pennine Way track.
Reference
Follow the road SW for 200m and go through the gate on the right for Grove Head. For Dodd, Heator Pasture (see map) has been a popular take-off area for some time. The area to the north was bought and fenced by the Woodland Trust in 2023. We don't anticipate this impacting flying, but will learn more over the coming seasons. Just be aware that if you slope land below the track it won't be as easy to get back as it once was.
Capacity
Large Ridge.
Hazards
The area is well known for wave so make a good assessment of conditions before flying. Do not scratch too close to the ridge in light conditions: the stone walls are very unforgiving – leave a good safety margin.
Rules
Do not drive vehicles along the Pennine Way. The access enclosure is the only one with a gate onto the Pennine Way so always try to land here if you go down. Under no circumstances climb the walls (very fragile in places) onto the Pennine Way. Paragliders can usually walk part way up the hill, relaunch and then fly back to the access enclosure.
Top landings are possible to the East of the wall along most of the ridge, but re-launching is only possible SW of the summit; beware of rotor.
Comments
A good alternative to Wether Fell for the PG pilot and one of our best and popular sites for going XC. Often flown onto from Wether Fell by Hang Gliders so keep a good look out. Valley bottom landings would involve a massive retrieve for the HG pilot and have rarely been tried.
Site Challenges
If you'd like a task to follow, consider the Dodd NCS 2024 task, or the DFCs Dodd Fell Cam Road and Dodd Fell The Link Triangle. This site is also the home of the Dodd Grid Challenge. Visit Ed Cleasby's website for background and information about the Northern Challenge Series and Defined Flying Challenges.
Land owner
Contact via Sites Officer
Nearest landline/mobile phone coverage
At Hawes.