Cefn Eglwysilan

Access to take-off is by foot only and is easiest if you walk up the shoulder of the hill from the south to the top (typically from the pink star on the map). You can also decide if it’s best to take off on the the shoulder of the hill to the south or the top of the hill (depending on the wind strength). Alternatively walk up the face of the hill and take off from the top but it is steeper.

The shoulder to the south of the main ridge can be good for ground handling.

The top landing area is large and fairly flat and top landing on or near the summit is an option.

Alternatively paragliders can also land just to the south of the summit on the flattish shoulder (which can also be used for taking off from) which may be a better option especially if you want to pack up before driving home. There is no permission to land in the farmer’s fields out front and landing in these fields must be avoided, especially given that you are in clear view of any traffic passing the hill. Climbing over walls or leaving gates open will also result in a lot of trouble. There is not enough room to fly or safely land a hang glider on this site.

Do not disturb and grazing animals. Especially if new lambs have been settled on the hill.

Be careful of any horse riders, avoid them and do not overfly them.

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.

Once airborne the small westerly will afford you views over Pontypridd and the Porth valley. The A470 is easily recognised in the valley bottom. Views to the whole coast can be obtained and familiar local hills are easily recognised (such as Garth hill and Craig yr Allt to the south). Immediately to the south you may see paragliders also flying Mynydd Meio (the nearest hill to the left of take-off).

Cefn Eglwysilan is a very small site with a narrow lift band. A significant amount of wind is needed to soar the site (for instance when Merthyr is too windy Cefn Eglwysilan may be flyable). It can probably only accommodate a maximum of three wings even in ideal conditions. It is a good alternative to Mynydd Meio if the wind is more W than SW. If the wind is strong, then wave commonly occurs – coming off the ridges in front which can make for bumpy conditions.

Looking down on the valley towns of Nelson and Treharris just to the north of Cefn Eglwysilan (this photo was taken on an XC from the nearby hill Mynydd Meio).

Beware of the road which can be fairly busy and runs at the foot of the hill and do not get too low or you may be boxed in by the road and walls in front of the hill. The A470 valley in front of take-off is full of power lines and pylons, pilots should therefore not attempt to fly to the valley bottom as there are very few landing options.

Beware of turbulence coming off the structures in front of take-off, especially in strong winds. Given the limited capacity of the site you may often be better off going to Merthyr Common if you want to avoid other paragliders and are not completely happy flying with others.