Managing club: South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · Access: open
Site briefing
Planning information for Merthyr Common
Take-off
West: When rigging or inflating paraglider please watch out hang gliders overshooting the top landing. Merthyr is much
steeper than Fochriw (immediately behind the hill) with a larger venturi – consequently for a given wind it may be much
stronger on take-off.
North: This take-off is mainly used for training top-to-bottoms and can only accommodate 1 or 2 wings.
Southwest: A shallow take-off for hang gliders from the top of the ridge. Watch out for paragliders launching lower down.
A view of the Merthyr Common take-off (nearly anywhere along the ridge). Photo courtesy of Marcus Woodbridge.
Landing
Top landing areas (A & B) are extensive and fairly flat. Watch out for rotor towards the top of the track on the right hand
side. Paraglider slope landings can be difficult because of the steep rough ground and debris dumped in the bracken. There
is no bottom landing field, but shoulder landings are possible at (C) to the north of the main ridge. This shoulder is
frequently used for ab-initio training so keep a sharp lookout for beginners and try to land to the east of the track.
A view of the Merthyr Common ridge – note the bracken was brown at this time of year. Photo courtesy of Marcus Woodbridge.
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.
Looking north along the Merthyr ridge in the evening sunset. You can see the open cast mine to the north (top) and also Mynydd Fochiw (another paragliding site) to the east (right of image). Photo courtesy of Sparky Mark Baldwin.
Access and parking
26/5/2025 Note currently keys are only available for the North access gate. We are currently trying to obtain South keys, the locks look the same as the North lock but do not work. Note both access tracks have substantial locked gates and CCTV. The club have negotiated access and keys are available via the Sewhgpgc Webcollect website, Please log in and look under events, read the rules and follow the instructions. Without keys you will need to walk up from the bottom or near the gates, park considerately. Both access tracks are rough anyway, the north being the roughest. It is best to use a vehicle with high ground clearance or ideally someone elses – sumps have been lost in the past.
The south entrance is located at co-ordinates N51.674630, W003.330329. This is located on the A4054 (Cardiff Road). The entrance is located 0.19 miles south of Merthyr Vale and 0.82 miles north of Edwardsville from the point where you exit the residential areas. At the track junction travel 3.75 miles up the rough track to the top of Merthyr common and turn left off road to the Parking area. Ensure you indicate early for the south entrance to minimise any potential road incidents as the turning is sharp, not sign posted and in a national speed limit zone.
Latitude: N51.723944
Longitude: W003.335460
Park as per map above. Either in front of the mound south of the north most end, Or alongside the SW/NE track to the north of the Hang Glider top landing area
Do not drive up to take-off to unload. Park at the base of the mound to the south of take-off. Do not encroach onto the
hang glider Landing area (A)
When operating vehicles at this site, keep an eye out for gliders coming into land. Park at the P’s on the site map, co-
ordinates above. Basically aside the northerly most track, or in front of the mound as per the P’s on the map image.
Local guidance
Hazards and cautions
The usual hazards associated with a cliff edge in strong winds. There can be a sharp wind gradient in the top landing area, and strong sink in the lee of the hill. Do not land too far back.
Beware of ticks, especially if you are sat out the ground for significant peroids – sheep and horses graze on the common and these parasites have been found on the top.
An overview of the Merthyr ridge – careful of the rocks and sharp wind gradient due to the shape of the terrain. Photo courtesy of Sparky Mark Baldwin.
Forecasts are planning aids, not safety clearance. Check current observations, official airspace and NOTAM information, local rules and your own experience before every flight.