ETERNITY PRESS Publishers, South AfricaBOOKS by Greg HamertonDVDs by the Fresh Air CrewORDERS and PRICINGAUTHOR'S PAGE for Greg HamertonFANTASYPARAGLIDING in South AfricaABOUT the companyLINKS to interesting related sites
PARAGLIDING IN SA  |   FLYING SITES  |   REVIEWS  |   AIRLORE  |   STORIES  |   GALLERY |   CARTOONS
LION'S HEAD
a preview from the Fresh Air Site Guide
Copyright © Greg Hamerton

GRADING : BASIC + 4 guided flights (Hang-gliders : C)
GPS : +- S33º56’18” E18º23’14”
ALTITUDE : Top site 450m (asl), ceiling at 1200m asl
DESCRIPTION : Home of the Glen Paragliding Club, a consistent and beautiful site to fly, offering a panorama of Camps Bay and the Twelve Apostles. In the afternoon, Lion's Head heats up and generates a thermic, upslope breeze. Best flying is from 3pm onwards during wind-shadow conditions. Parking is on the back (CapeTown side) of Lion's Head, then a stiff hike is required up the gravel road and around to the front side. Because of the spire-shape of the peak, the wind diverges around it, causing a strong increase in wind speed at both takeoff sites when it is soarable. The wind is usually crossed from the left (S) at the topsite and very strong, and crossed from the right (NW) at the lower site. Don't pioneer a new launch site somewhere else on the mountain. 
WIND : W-SW, thermic lee-side in SE
LAUNCH : 'Lower launch' is reached after a 10 minute walk, where the path narrows from a jeep-track width into a hiking track. It is a challenging launch through a silver-leaf tree grove from a short net-covered runoff. Be meticulous in your layout and pre-flight checks. This is where to launch if it is soarable and SW. The 'Top site' is reached after another 10 minutes of brisk walking (it is NOT on the top of Lion's Head! It's below the cliffs on the NW side). It is a rocky netted launchsite that is both steep and loose underfoot. The wind is usually crossed from the left here, making good ground-handling and committed launch techniques essential for a safe get-away.		 Lion's Head overlooking Camps Bay
LANDING : On the grassed playing-field in front of LaMed, at the Glen Country Club. The field is rented by the Camps Bay High School, so try to have a minimum impact on any sports being played on the field (it is a bit short for Hang-gliders). The Camps Bay High School field (above the main road, to the left of the big swimming pool) can be used as an alternative if it is empty. During the summer season the Municipality has asked us to please
avoid landing on the beaches (Camps Bay, Clifton, Glen). The lower slopes of Lion's Head can be used to slope-land in an emergency.
DIRECTIONS : Drive up through Cape Town and take Kloof Nek road up to the pass between Lion's Head and Table Mountain. At the circle, turn right to Signal Hill and continue until the road levels out. You will find a carpark to the right of the road. The path to the launch is on the left as you reach the carpark.
CAUTIONS : refer to the Fresh Air Site Guide.
CARETAKER : Glen Club, Cape Peninsula National Parks (regular pilots need a Wild Card).
PERMISSION : Guidance by a local pilot at this sensitive site is essential.
SOUTH AFRICA'S TOP FLYING SITES
LIONS HEAD paragliding siteLion's Head PORTERVILLE paragliding sitePorterville SIR LOWRY'S PASS flying siteSir Lowry's Pass HERMANUS flying siteHermanus
TABLE MOUNTAIN flying siteTable Mountain MAP OF AFRICA flying siteMap of Africa Paradise Ridge flying siteParadise Ridge Bulwer flying siteBulwer
The Dam flying site near JohannesburgThe Dam Barberton flying siteBarberton De Aar record flying site in South AfricaDe Aar Map of flying sites in the Western CapeSite map
FRESH AIR SITE GUIDEPssst! You may print out this page, but you really need all the other good things that go with the Fresh Air Site Guide (detailed current information on more than 135 sites covering all of South Africa, pictures, maps, Cross Country flying tips, travel guidance). Don't miss the best flying during your holiday!
Your own copy is just a click away. Find out more on www.eternitypress.co.za.