As the UK’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, Hyperia at Thorpe Park also features the tallest lift hill climb currently available for guests to experience in Europe. Standing at an impressive 236 feet, the climb offers breathtaking views over Thorpe Park and the surrounding landscape. Hyperia operates using three block sections: the station, the lift hill, and the brake run. The ride spans 995 metres of track and delivers an impressive 14.8 seconds of airtime throughout the experience.
Ride Station
Take an up-close look at Hyperia’s station with no trains on the track. This offers a great view of the drive tyres and sensors built into the track which are typically hidden during operation. Due to the specific nature of Hyperia’s wheel design, both trains are removed from the track each evening and transferred into the maintenance shed. This prevents the wheels from deforming under the weight of the train overnight, helping to maintain a smoother ride experience for guests. Storing the trains overnight also supports the completion of essential daily checks and tests.
With the station’s lighting fully on, you can appreciate the forge-like theming in more detail. In the ride’s storyline, the station represents the place where Hyperia forged her wings in preparation for her legendary flight to fearlessness.
Lift Hill
Climbing Hyperia is not for the faint-hearted! The lift hill features a staggering 364 steps from ground level to its peak height of 236 feet. The 45-degree ascent takes climbers directly alongside some of the coaster’s most iconic elements, including the non-inverting Immelmann and the dive stall.
According to the planning documents, Hyperia’s track and supports transition in colour from Pearl Gold to Papyrus White between 14 and 19 metres in height. Most of the stairway is made from metal grating, offering climbers uninterrupted views of the track and the ground far below throughout the climb.
Views of Thorpe Park
From the top of Hyperia, both riders and climbers alike are treated to breathtaking aerial views of Thorpe Park and beyond. Standing above SAW – The Ride, it’s striking how small the coaster feels in comparison when viewed from such close proximity. A particularly interesting detail to spot from above is SAW’s transfer track, located at the bottom of the lift hill – unlike most coasters, its transfer system is mid-ride, allowing trains to be moved into the workshop partway through the layout.
From Hyperia’s peak, you can see Colossus and the park’s other headline attractions – including The Swarm and Stealth, which until Hyperia was built, held the title of Thorpe Park’s tallest and fastest coaster. Beyond the park, on a clear day, the views stretch even further, reaching as far as London, Wembley Stadium, Woking, Windsor Castle, and even Heathrow Airport.
First Outerbanked Turn
Take a closer look at the ride area surrounding the outerbanked turn near the start of Hyperia, just before the lift hill. At the centre of this element is a small lake, which forms part of the site’s Sustainable Drainage System – helping manage water run off in an environmentally responsible way.
Along the track, you’ll notice small green sensor boxes, which are used throughout the ride to monitor the exact position and location of the trains. Just before the lift hill, drive tyres are installed to synchronise the train’s speed with the lift chain, ensuring a smooth and precise transition into the 236-foot ascent.
Transfer Track and Maintenance Area
Hyperia features the only maintenance workshop among Thorpe Park’s six major roller coasters that can accommodate all of the ride’s trains at once. The transfer track is located just after the train exits the station and before entering the outerbanked turn. This compact transfer system switches between two short track sections, directing the train either onto the main circuit or into the maintenance bay.
Importantly, the transfer track is used exclusively by engineers and cannot be operated while the ride is in use by the operations team or carrying guests. Typically, when trains are moved into the maintenance shed, all restraints are left in the open (unlocked) position, allowing engineers full access for inspections and servicing.
