About this flying site
Flying: A very scenic site situated on a main road. Any flying usually attracts a crowd. A committed take-off is required to clear the fence, and care needed until height is gained.
Rhigos paragliding site and weather forecast
SE Wales / Black Mountains. Live seven-day flying weather, launch directions and site information for Rhigos.
Altitude472 m
Launch directionsN, NE, NW
Coordinates51.7163, -3.5560
AreaSE Wales / Black Mountains
Managing club: South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · Access: open
Flying profile
Best Workable Not recorded
Rhigos is a flying site in SE Wales / Black Mountains with a recorded launch elevation of 472 m. It is recorded as workable in northerly, north-easterly and north-westerly winds.
Recent forecast scores
Day scores for Rhigos 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.
- Thu 17 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Fri 18 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Sat 19 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Sun 20 Sept49/100 No-golow confidence
When the wind is wrong for Rhigos
The nearest site we have rated for each wind direction Rhigos doesn't cover.
Ebbw Valeeasterly wind, 25 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 442 m · E launchTalybontsouth-easterly or southerly wind, 20 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 646 m · SE, S, SW launchNantymoelsouth-westerly wind, 9 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 472 m · SW launchMerthyr Commonwesterly wind, 15 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 416 m · W launch
Site briefing highlights
Short extracts from South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club and ParaglidingEarth. Read the full guide before you fly.
Take-off
The Rhigos site is actually Mynydd Beili-glas which has spectacular view to the north over the Brecon Beacons – Pen Y Fan is often easily identified on the horizon. Take-off is located in the field below the car park.
Landing
Top landing is to the east of the steeper take off site. Do not land on Hirwaun Common which is NE of the car park/viewpoint as access has not been agreed (Hirwaun Common is a historical paragliding training site).
Access and parking
From the A465 (Heads of the Valleys Road) take the A4061, signposted to Treherbert/Rhigos. Alternatively take the A4061 from Rhondda. Parking 1 Latitude: N51.716330 Longitude: W003.554228 Park in the viewpoint car park.
Hazards and cautions
- Rhigos is complex site to fly and so it is pilot rated. In particular there is wind farm directly behind take-off. If you are not sure that you can clearly stay away from the wind farm then do not fly. The take-off/ top landing field is extremely undulating and boggy underfoot, with long grass which can easily mask the terrain below this can hinder safe take-off and landing. Several large white/yellow posts and barbed wire fences surround the take-off. Be aware of these when launching. The whole area is populated with large trees and rocky/craggy outcrops, this can cause turbulence and a snag hazard if flown in close proximity.
- The main road can be extremely busy with cars and large HGVs. It is strongly advised that the road behind launch is not over flown. Do not attempt top landing in the car park. A power line to the left of take- off runs from the top of the hill to the forest below at approximately 45° to the hill, it is easily hidden and pilots should ensure they familiarise themselves with its location before taking off.
Check current site guidance
Paragliding sites near Rhigos
Cwmparc8 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 477 m · NE launchNantymoel9 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 472 m · SW launchMerthyr Common15 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 416 m · W launchFan Gyhirych17 km away · South West Wales Soaring Club · 700 m · N, NE, SW, W, NW launchFochriw17 km away · South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 444 m · W launchPontlottyn19 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