Important Update: This site is partially reopened as of September 2015, with significant changes. Please verify current guidelines with the Sites Officer before flying.
Slieve Gallion is a 1733ft inland site renowned for its excellent cross-country potential, particularly to the south and west. While popular with paragliders, hang glider pilots may find the bottom landing fields limited and challenging. Note that the northern bottom landing area is out of bounds, as landowner permission has been withdrawn.
Location: Irish Grid Reference H815897
Wind Directions: North to east, 000 – 090 degrees
Suitable for: Paragliding and hang gliding
Pilot Rating: BHPA Club Pilot
Access Information
- Road Access: From Moneymore, take the A29 towards Desertmartin. After about 0.5 miles, turn left onto Tullynagee Road, following the sign for Slieve Gallion. Cross a staggered crossroads and continue up the hill for several miles.
- Parking: Turn onto the track on the right after the second cattle grid and park on the flat area facing east.
Note: Stick to the dotted track on the map and avoid the red-marked area entirely.
Site Access
- Northeast Face: From the new parking area, proceed on foot along the designated dotted route only.
- East Face: Take off from the vicinity of the new parking area if conditions allow, or launch from the northeast face and fly around to the east face.
Site Rules and Hazards
- Lambing Season: Historically, this site has been closed during lambing season (approximately March/April) due to conflicts. Do not overfly livestock and keep a respectful distance.
- Hazards:
- A barbed wire fence and a gully run between the easterly and northerly slopes.
- Another fence is present along the top of the easterly ridge.
- No top landing near the mast.
- A forest covers part of the east face, adding complexity to bottom landing approaches.
Launch and Landing Zones
- Launch:
- Northeast Face: Large grassy launch area with minimal obstructions.
- East Face: The lower easterly launch area near the new parking site is clear of obstructions. Avoid the former upper easterly takeoff, as it is now out of bounds.
- Bottom Landing:
- Northeast Face: Paragliders can land on the slope or at the bottom without issues. Hang gliders, however, should plan for a glide out from the hill to select an optimal landing field, avoiding Iniscarn Forest to the east.
- East Face: Paragliders should avoid lingering on the steep, occasionally forested slopes. If conditions allow, slope-land on the NE face (into the wind) or fly southeast to bypass the forest. Hang gliders must be prepared to navigate to a suitable landing area, similar to guidance for the northeast face.
- Top Landing:
- Land immediately downwind of, and close to, the northeast takeoff area or the lower east takeoff area.
- Do not top land downwind of the fence near the cairn and avoid using the stile near the cairn.
Air Traffic Control Restrictions
- None: There are no air traffic control restrictions over Slieve Gallion.