Nemesis Inferno

An inverted coaster where your feet dangle freely through six inversions - consistently one of Thorpe Park's best-rated rides.

Is Nemesis Inferno open today?

Yes — Nemesis Inferno is open right now, with a 5-minute queue (as of 20:02 UK time).

Typically 8 minutes at this hour over the last 28 days, ranging from about 8 minutes at its quietest to 44 at its busiest — that is quieter than usual for this hour. Compare with every other ride →

How many inversions does Nemesis Inferno have?

Nemesis Inferno is a B&M inverted coaster with 6 inversions, ridden with your feet dangling below the track. Its 716m layout is one of the smoothest in the park. The minimum height to ride is 1.4m. Check live Nemesis Inferno queue times, updated every 2 minutes.

About Nemesis Inferno

Nemesis Inferno opened in 2003 as Thorpe Park's first B&M (Bolliger & Mabillard) coaster and its first inverted coaster - a design where the train hangs below the track and riders' feet are left free throughout the ride. It is loosely based on the layout of Nemesis at Alton Towers, one of the most celebrated roller coasters in Europe.

Despite being over 20 years old, Nemesis Inferno remains one of Thorpe Park's most consistently well-rated rides by regular visitors. Its smooth B&M construction, excellent pacing, and six well-chosen inversions make it a benchmark for the genre at UK parks.

What to Expect

Hanging below the track with legs dangling creates a very different sensation from a traditional sit-down coaster - when the train tilts into an inversion, you rotate around the track above you and the ground appears directly overhead. Six inversions are included: a vertical loop, a zero-G roll, two corkscrews, and an in-line twist.

The ride flows with good rhythm and pacing. Unlike Colossus, which packs 10 inversions with little breathing space, Nemesis Inferno varies the pace between its elements. The smooth B&M track means there is no rough headbanging - you can relax into each inversion. It is an excellent choice for riders experiencing their first inverted coaster.

Tips for Riding Nemesis Inferno

• Great starter for inverted coasters. If you want to experience dangling-feet inversions without Colossus's intensity, Nemesis Inferno is the ideal entry point. The B&M smoothness means nothing feels harsh.
• Front row for the best view. Without a train in front of you, the inversions feel more open. The front also gives the clearest view of the zero-G roll - the most graceful element on the ride.
• Second most popular coaster after Stealth and Hyperia. Queues are consistent throughout the day. Ride before noon or after 3pm for the shortest waits. Check the live queue page.
• Volcano theming. The ride is themed around volcanic imagery - the queue line and station are well-themed by Thorpe Park standards.
• Compare with The Swarm. Both are B&M coasters, both smooth. The Swarm has the near-miss novelty; Nemesis Inferno has the better inversions and longer layout. Worth riding both in the same visit.

When to Ride Nemesis Inferno

Inferno is the most reliably short queue of Thorpe Park's big coasters, for one simple reason: B&M inverted coasters swallow people. Two trains and efficient loading mean the line moves visibly, and even a queue that fills the outdoor switchbacks often clears in 20–25 minutes. On our recorded data it is consistently the coaster with the smallest gap between quiet-day and busy-day waits - a good "banker" ride for the afternoon when everything else has spiked.

Because of that, there is no need to rope-drop Inferno. Save your opening hour for Hyperia and Stealth and take Inferno whenever you are in the Calypso Quay area. If the park is quiet, ask for the front row - the wait for it is usually a couple of extra cycles and the difference is enormous.

Good to Know Before You Queue

This is the smoothest coaster in the park and the best choice for a first "big" inverted coaster: intense enough to count, polished enough not to frighten anyone off coasters for life. Feet dangle throughout, the pre-lift tunnel with its mist and heat sets the volcano theme nicely, and the interlocking corkscrews over the water photograph beautifully from the path.

Seat choice changes the ride more than on any other Thorpe coaster: front row gives clean visuals and wind in your face, back row noticeably stronger forces through the loop and zero-g roll. Riders prone to dizziness should note the ending is twistier than the beginning. If you loved it, its spiritual sibling Nemesis Reborn lives at Alton Towers - but Inferno is widely considered the more re-rideable of the two on a hot day, because the misty tunnel is gloriously cool.

← The Swarm  |  Visitor Guide  |  SAW – The Ride →