Site Description
Windy Hill is located in the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. The flying site is a Northeast-facing paragliding and hang gliding site, that requires excellent pilot judgement and skills in order to be flown safely since it is the most technical sites in the Bay Area. Read the guide from Windy Hill Sky Riders the local club that manages and insures the site.
Flying the public preserve will provide scenic mountain backdrop to the town of Portola Valley. Its 1,000 acres are filled with colorful wildflowers, grasses, redwoods, oaks and firs. The site is an inland ridge that is soarable with a combination of thermal and ridge lift.
The site requires an east wind, which is great in the wintertime. However, keep in mind that there is a relatively long glide for PGs, from the launch to the LZ.
Visit windyhillskyriders.com to view requirements to fly at Windy Hill:
Site Launch Guide:
General Site Info
| Location | Windy Hill Open Space Perserve |
| Location Link | Lower Parking lot, Upper Parking Lot |
| Rating requirement | P4, H4 |
| Club | Windy Hill Sky Riders |
| Club Website | windyhillskyriders.com |
| Flying Type | Thermal, Soar |
| Optimal season | Winter (Oct-March) |
| Weather Links | Windy.com |
| RASP |
Additional Resources & Info
| Communication | Request Telegram link |
| Launch Direction | E-NE; Ideal: E-SE |
| Ideal Wind Speed | 8mph |
| Max Wind Speed | 20mph |
| # of Launches | 1 launch |
| Launch | Windy hill summit |
| LZ | See guide |
| Local Training Schools | N/A |
| Additional Links | flyzephyr.com |
