Moel Famau paragliding site and weather forecast

Clwydians / Wirral / North Wales coast. Live seven-day flying weather, launch directions and site information for Moel Famau.

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Altitude429 m
Launch directionsW
Coordinates53.1385, -3.2596
AreaClwydians / Wirral / North Wales coast

Managing club: North Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · Access: open

Flying profile

N: not recordedNE: not recordedE: not recordedSE: not recordedS: not recordedSW: workableW: bestNW: workableNNEESESSWWNW

Best Workable Not recorded

Moel Famau is a hill site in Clwydians / Wirral / North Wales coast with a recorded launch elevation of 429 m. It works best in westerly winds, and can also work in south-westerly and north-westerly winds. Pilots fly it for ridge soaring and thermal, using foot launch.

Terrain
hill
Lift
ridge soaring and thermal
Launch
foot launch
Cross-country
Not recorded

When the wind is wrong for Moel Famau

The nearest site we have rated for each wind direction Moel Famau doesn't cover.

Llangollennortherly wind, 22 km away · North Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 387 m · N, NW launchPenmaenbachnorth-easterly wind, 44 km away · Snowdonia Sky Sports · 176 m · N, NE launchPenycloddiau Easteasterly wind, 8 km away · North Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 385 m · E launchLlantysilio Mountainsouth-easterly or southerly wind, 16 km away · North Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 416 m · SE, S launch

Site briefing highlights

Short extracts from North Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club and ParaglidingEarth. Read the full guide before you fly.

About this flying site

You must follow the Hawarden ATC notification procedure if you want to XC from this site

Take-off

Getting to takeoff: Moderately difficult. Take the upper footpath from the north car park towards the summit. It's a steady climb with a gain of height of about 350ft / 105m from car park to take-off area.

Landing

The designated bottom landing field is a trapezoid shaped field 1.5 miles glide from take-off and pilots should assess conditions and glider performance before committing. Grid Reference SJ143593 .

Access and parking

Park in either of the two car parks at the top of the pass. Parking fees are charged (approx £1.50/day)

Flight rules

http://www.nwhgpc.org/sites.html#moelfamau A separate site permit is needed to fly here

Hazards and cautions

  • EGNR (Hawarden) RMZ procedures:
  • Moel Famau lies on the edge of the Hawarden RMZ (Radio Mandatory
  • zone). Notify Hawarden ATC by telephone (01244 522012) or text (07786 208291) stating 'Moel Famau
  • active (dd/mm/yyyy) from (time)' if there is any chance of leaving the site to the east, such as XC. An
  • acknowledgement must be received from ATC prior to commencement of activities. Pilots will not normally
  • need
  • to notify ATC of cessation of activities.
  • Due to the proximity of the coast, this site is often affected by a sea breeze during the summer.
  • The altitude and nature of the site means conditions can be markedly different from those observed in the
  • Vale below. Benign flying conditions can quickly become blown out.
  • This site is strictly controlled by the Denbighshire County Council. Anyone wishing to fly must purchase
  • an annual permit (permits expire at the end of April). Either call at the Countryside Office to obtain a
  • permit, or apply by post. Send a cheque for £8.00, payable to Denbighshire County Council; a photocopy
  • of both sides of your BHPA membership card and BHPA insurance statement; two current passport photos
  • (one only for a renewal), and a 7"x10" self addressed envelope to: Howard Sutcliffe, Denbighshire
  • Countryside Service, Loggerheads Country Park, Ruthin Road, Loggerheads, MOLD CH7 5LH Tel: 01352 810614.
  • Failure to comply with this requirement will jeopardise the use of all sites in the area controlled by
  • the Denbighshire County Council. This site is also used model aircraft fliers: please liaise with them
  • with regard to take-off and landing areas.

Check current site guidance

Paragliding sites near Moel Famau

Moel Accre7 km away · North Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 365 mPenycloddiau East8 km away · North Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 385 m · E launchLlantysilio Mountain16 km away · North Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 416 m · SE, S launchLlangollen22 km away · North Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 387 m · N, NW launchGyrn Moelfre32 km away · North Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 390 m · SE launchPenmaenbach44 km away · Snowdonia Sky Sports · 176 m · N, NE launch

Forecasts are planning aids, not safety clearance. Check current observations, official airspace and NOTAM information, local rules and your own experience before every flight.

More paragliding sites in the UK · Read the paragliding weather guide