Sir Lowry s Pass

Sir Lowry's Pass is a regular Western Cape site above the Hottentots-Holland mountains — soaring, thermalling and cross-country with superb views. A long ridge extends fairly consistently to the south, while north of takeoff it rises to towering peaks and curves into a semicircle. Thermals can be strong, taking you high and well away from the ground. Rating: Basic (plus 4 guided flights). Launch altitude 420 m ASL; airspace ceiling 1,200 m ASL.

Launch & conditions

Competent pilots (very good ground-handling) launch from the grassed slope below the wall — turbulence from the big rocks on either side can make it risky. Misjudge the wind and you'll likely get blown back into the car park. Easier option: walk directly across the road from the entrance to the car park and take the little footpath up the mountain, bearing left, until you crest the final steep section (~10 min); a wind streamer on a tall pole and some netting mark it.

Getting there & local rules

N2 towards Caledon; at the top of Sir Lowry's Pass, turn right into the viewsite. Beware of baboons — keep food out of sight and windows closed. Landing: bottom landing only (no top-landing).

Local rules & hazards

No top-landing. Severe wind gradient in a NW. If the wind swings S, conditions turn very turbulent and top-landing is dangerous. Sometimes flyable in a light SE in lee-side wind-shadow conditions — watch the wind on the water and be very careful of the wind-line deteriorating.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Sir Lowry s Pass, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Sir Lowry s Pass with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.