Take-off
Access is a carry up on foot from the viewpoint car park on the east side, or a short carry from the parking areas by the transmitter.
Mynydd Machen paragliding site and weather forecast
SE Wales / Black Mountains. Live seven-day flying weather, launch directions and site information for Mynydd Machen.
Altitude357 m
Launch directionsNE
Coordinates51.6055, -3.1219
AreaSE Wales / Black Mountains
Managing club: South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · Access: open
Flying profile
Best Workable Not recorded
Mynydd Machen is a flying site in SE Wales / Black Mountains with a recorded launch elevation of 357 m. It works best in north-easterly winds, and can also work in south-easterly and southerly winds.
Recent forecast scores
Day scores for Mynydd Machen from Magic Skyweed's latest forecast runs (17 Sept, 11:35 UTC), on our 0–100 flying scale. The live forecast scores every hour against your own glider and limits.
- Sat 19 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Wed 23 Sept55/100 Marginallow confidence
When the wind is wrong for Mynydd Machen
The nearest site we have rated for each wind direction Mynydd Machen doesn't cover.
Blorengenortherly or north-westerly wind, 23 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 531 m · N, NE, E, NW launchGarth Hilleasterly wind, 13 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 196 m · E launchNantymoelsouth-westerly wind, 29 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 472 m · SW launchFochriwwesterly wind, 19 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 444 m · W launch
Site briefing highlights
Short extracts from South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club. Read the full guide before you fly.
Landing
Top land on the flat ground alongside the transmitter mast. NE side – Shoulder landings are possible by the viewpoint car park which saves a long walk up from the bottom.
Access and parking
Note, access road was reported blocked in May 2025. Please report to the committee if you visit and have more detailed information. For vehicular access to take-off, take the A467 from Newport or Brynmawr. Then take the B4591 to Crosskeys.
Hazards and cautions
- Trees on the south and south-east sides. Rotor on north-east take-off has also been experience. Avoid the large aerials and buildings on top of the hill. Model aircraft pilots have been known to use the hill – be considerate of them. Horses are found in many of the fields – avoid landing in or flying low over these fields.
- Machen slag heap – This has sharp metal objects poking out of the slag, avoid these. The slag heap is a spike back (with severe rotor to be expected behind it) – NEVER take-off here if there is any chance you could be blown back behind it. NEVER fly behind (down-wind) of the slag heap.
Check current site guidance
Paragliding sites near Mynydd Machen
Cwmbran9 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 457 m · SE, S launchMynydd Meio11 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 318 m · SW launchGarth Hill13 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 196 m · E launchEbbw Vale17 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 442 m · E launchAbertysswg18 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 395 m · W, NW launchPontlottyn18 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 426 m · 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