SE Wales Sites Guide - Blaenavon

Blaenavon

Grid Reference: SO 218 098
OS Landranger: 161
Latitude: 51.781378 (51º 46.88267'N)
longitude: -3.134975 (3º 08.09850'W)

Site Ref: 7.055
Liaison Site Datum: SO 218 098
Freephone: 0800 515544

Wind Direction: NNE - ENE (022º - 070º)
Best Direction: NE (045º)

Height ASL: 550m (1,800ft)
Top to Bottom: 110m (350ft)

Minimum Rating Hang Gliding: CP
Minimum Rating Paragliding: CP

This guide should be read in conjunction with the site map for Blaenavon.
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Road access:

From Blaenavon or Brynmawr take the B4248, then by the cattle grid, take the old mine access road to the foot of the hill.

Parking:

Turn right off the mine access road onto a short dirt track, and park at the foot of the hill.
Don‘t obstruct or park on the tarmac road. Don‘t drive past the car park turnoff.
Don‘t drive up the hill to take-off.

Take-off:

Access to take-off is by foot only (a hard carry up). Lots of space to rig on top of the hill, with an easy gentle rounded take-off.

Landing:

Top landing area (A) is vast, but the ground is rough and the front section slopes gently to the edge of the hill. Slope landing by paragliders presents no real problems.

The land between the hill and the road (B) is rough and broken and not recommended for hang glider bottom landing, however landings by paragliders are possible with care. Hang gliders should land on the other side of the road. The obvious flat section of land (C) drops away sharply into a bog, on the side furthest away from the hill. Hang gliders need to make an accurate approach in order to avoid the likely consequences of an overshoot, bent metal. The bog already contains the remains of one aircraft, a Halifax Bomber (22nd May 1944). This area is easiest when the wind is off to the North. If in doubt land on the rough open common (D) to the North of the flat area, just before the embankment.

Flying:

A fairly friendly site, particularly late in the day, though capacity is limited if the wind is off. A pleasant ridge run of around 5km (3 miles) to Varteg is possible in the right conditions.

Hazards:

No real hazards. But the site is frequently used by schools and low airtime pilots, and can therefore become quite crowded.

Other rules:

Dogs are not permitted on the hillside. Please leave the gate as you find it.

The site is closed for lambing from the 1st March to Mid May.

Site status:

Members Only - This site may only be flown by members of the SE Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club.

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