Take-off
Access to take-off is via the footpath starting at the gate to Porth Y Pia. There are many footpaths up the hill, but this is the recommended one for both take-offs. From the road take-off A is about 2km and take-off B a further 1.5km.
SE Wales / Black Mountains · Paragliding site
Pen Cerrig Calch paragliding site and weather forecast
Live seven-day flying weather with launch direction, altitude and local site information for Pen Cerrig Calch.
Altitude565 m
Launch directionsS
Coordinates51.8876, -3.1350
AreaSE Wales / Black Mountains
Managing club: South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · Access: members only
Site briefing
Planning information for Pen Cerrig Calch
Landing
All top landings are relatively easy with a gentle slope to hill edge. Any paragliders slope landing need to be aware of the uneven ground and isolated rocks hidden within the bracken and grass. If slope landing do so within the hill enclosure as no permission has been granted within the enclosed fields below take-off. From take-off A, use the bottom landing field C. This is a meadow used as a public amenity area. This landing area has a couple of trees and rubbish bins within the meadow. In stronger valley winds from the West the trees to along the Western side can create rotor and therefore in this instance aim to land within the Eastern side of the meadow. From take-off B, use the landing field D. This field slopes gently away to the South. Pack the glider away near the gate to avoid trampling grass that may be cut for silage 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
From the A40 in Crickhowell take the turning to Llanbedr either by the fire station when approaching from the East or via Llanbedr Road if approaching from the West. From the fire station, as you leave the town turn left up Great Oak Rd towards ‘Grwynefechan 4’, after 1.5 miles continue past the right hand turn to Llanbedr with a sign ‘Llanbedr ½’ for a further 0.3 miles and Ty Mawr farm is on the right and the entrance to Porth Y Pia is the next entrance on the Left. The route from Llanbedr Road joins the Great Oak Road as you leave the town. Parking Ty Mawr Farm Campsite Pilots are instructed to avoid parking in the small layby and in any of the gateways near the entrance to Perth Y Pia. Space on the roadside is limited and will cause issues with other local road users. The Club has therefore agreed a parking arrangement with the Jones family at Ty Mawr farm who own the Porth Y Pia bunkhouse. There are 3 locations available to leave a car. You are allowed to drive up to the bunkhouse and if it is mid week or obvious that the bunkhouse is not rented out during weekend, you are able to park at the bunkhouse. Alternatively, drop your flying equipment off at the bunkhouse and drive back down the track and park in the bottom field just inside the gate. The third option and quickest is to park in the campsite field just past the farm buildings on the right, kindly do not block the entrance to the campsite. Pilots are asked to pay £2.00 per car, please take this to the farm house before parking and if nobody is home then leave the money inside the porch. An alternative to parking at Ty Mawr is to park in Crickhowell either in a pay and display or on the side of the road and then use one of the footpaths up to take off or car share to Ty Mawr Farm. Latitude: N51.879551 Longitude: W003.113623
Local guidance
Hazards and cautions
- The main hazards of the site are the large rocks on the slopes below take-off. Some of these are clear as areas of scree but many are hidden with the bracken, this hazard is particularly relevant to the SW take-off and extreme care is required if attempting to slope land.
- The cliffs on the southerly spur (The Darren) between the two take-offs will produce some rotor in stronger winds.
Authoritative sources
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Forecasts are planning aids, not safety clearance. Check current observations, official airspace and NOTAM information, local rules and your own experience before every flight.
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