South africa Paragliding Sites

Ridge soaring and thermic. 2 take-off sites, 'Top' and 'Bottom'. Bottom TO is quite 'tight' and pilots must be careful on pull-up that there are no cars passing as one can get dragged towards the road. Glider pull-up at an angle, glider catches the prevailing wind quickly as the low cliff is very steep and this usually leads to the glider skewing round to face into the wind. Control glider before committing as the cliffs and bushes are 'magnetic' to slower pilots. Ensure you have at least 15-20m of height above the bottom take-off before jumping onto the smaller ridge behind. Top take-off is small but easy. If there is any West to the prevailing pilots should fly further out before turning right onto the ridge as there is big sink and rotor present. Landing is in the fields below, top landing an option but fairly tight. Very thermic in the warmer months. Great site from smooth ridge soaring to strong thermic. Respect the house owners privacy when flying here. Do not appear to be ogling into their windows while flying past! ;) Altitude 131m

2 take off areas. Nets laid down makes a clean area to launch. The net on the right is for more SW. The one on the left is for more W Don't littler Before you fly Pampoenfontein you will need to get a pass from the Flyers lodge in Porterville. They manage and maintain the site. Its R50 per day. https://porterville.co.za They also do site briefings there is it is your first time flying the site. https://porterville.co.za Contact the Flyers lodge Altitude 817m

Airfield launch with use of a payout winch system. There is also mountain launch available but not used very often due to the strong wind gradient Altitude 1277m

The Site is in a active Iron Ore mine, and due to this had more rules and regulations than the average site, please be sure to observe all the site rules, as access to the site is sensitive!The Launch is Specially Bulldozed for Paragliding and Hang Gliding, on the top of a gravel dump on top of the mountain. The launch is steep, and faces North, though it will fly almost any wind direction due to the strong thermal wind generated on the slope below launch. There is a strong vertical component in the wind on Launch, and it is possible to fly in wind that may feel like it is too strong. Altitude 915m

465m high from takeoff to landing, grass covered slope, around 50m wide with initial gentle drop then short steep slope.Watch out for single phase power line running across back of take-off - it powers the cell phone mast on take-off. Easy launch from a gently sloping hill, watch out for turbulence caused by the trees just below take-off. Nice big open grassy area with plenty of prep and layout space. The road in is a bit rough. Take to R539 Sudwala Caves road off the N4 from either Johannesburg or Nelspruit, follow this road for approx 7.5km and turn right to stay on the R539. After about 7km turn right onto the Schagen road and follow that to the fork, keep right and take the first left turn. Follow the slightly rough forestry road all the way to the big cell phone mast. Altitude 1259m

Lone Tree Hill: A huge grass field on top of a hill. Nicely sloping hill giving a very pleasant launch into the skies above Barberton. Nice big area for layout and preparation with plenty of parking. Hill covered in small rocks which snag lines when forward launching but otherwise fairly even. Landing is on the golf course out and to the left. There is a large "rough" just past and to the right of the clubhouse which makes for a great landing zone that doesn't affect any golfers. Key for the gate is obtained either from the local club or from Hi-Tech Security near the church in town. The road to launch is a bit rough and care needs to be taken not to turn down any of the many cul-de-sacs on the windy road up. Altitude 1290m

Shortish steep slope launch above cliffs in small depression between bench (south) and beacon (north). Drive to Champagne Castle Hotel and park nearby. Is a 90min+ hike up but worth it. First bit crosses people's land so please be respectful. Altitude 1872m

Small clearing in the brush next to the path from the first car park, leading to the Toposcope. Enough space for 1-2 gliders. Easy launch. Altitude 1243m

Top land or land on the beach SAHPA registered members only Can walk up with footpath, or get access over private land with prior arrangement Chris 083 390 0788 Altitude 92m

Altitude 9m