Managing club: South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · Access: open
Site briefing
Planning information for Fochriw
Take-off
Carry up the face of the hill to take-off. A short but sharp carry up. Beware of the many deep fissures close to the edge of the hill. The ground will be boggy at the foot of the hill if it has been raining. The hill is less steep (with less of a venturi) than Merthyr Common, so strong winds at take-off are likely to be close to the real wind speed. It is common for people to take off from the foot of the hill when it is strong at the top. However, know your own limits, you are advised not to do this without assessing wind speed and true direction on the top first.
Mynydd Fochriw looking along the ridge to the north. On the left is the solar farm (a good thermal source). Photo courtesy of Marcus Woodbridge.
Landing
There is a large flat top landing area. Bottom land at on the up-slope side of the mine track (see map). Do not land on the other side of the track, or in any of the fields.
South East Wales sites often have very large, undefined take off and top landing areas, which may change position according to conditions. To avoid the potential for collision, pilots making a top landing should keep well away from gliders taking off, who may in some cases have limited visibility.
Access and parking
If coming from A470 take the Bogey road (through the Miller Argent open cast mine) to a T-junction. At the T-junction go right, then pull up on the right at the lay-by and park. If coming from heads of the valleys road (A465) you should take the exit for Asda (take a right at the mini roundabout immediately after coming off the main roundabout (not into Asda)) and then take the next right under the bridge. Follow this road up until the lay-by on your right, by the boulders and entrance. Alternatively approach from Deri via minor roads from the south. When driving be careful of stray sheep on the roads.
Access to the hill is not possible via the main track entrance (it is blocked with large boulders). You must park along the side of the public road in the lay-by and walk up to the take-off. If the lay-by is full (it can accommodate 4 cars), then park in the blocked entrance area but don’t block other cars in. There have been break-ins and thefts in the area, and it is difficult to see your car from the top of the hill unless you are flying – do not leave valuables on display.
Local guidance
Hazards and cautions
The easy access and limited but friendly ridge space can make this site very busy at times, so make sure you are proficient at flying with others. At the South end watch out for paramotors taking off from, or landing at, Bedlinog.
Especially beware of electricity cables and a structure with a spiked fence near the parking. For this reason never try to land next to the parking area – land at the recognised bottom landing and walk to the parking area.
Forecasts are planning aids, not safety clearance. Check current observations, official airspace and NOTAM information, local rules and your own experience before every flight.