Basic

Paragliding
Scarborough

Cape Town, Western Cape

Today

Not flyable

39 km/h NW · not flyable

FlyableWind dirNo fogNo rain

Soarable tops — 7-day

Reference lines show historical 75th and 95th percentile for Scarborough.

p75 729mp95 1097m17mWed 3017mThu 1730mFri 2540mSat 3Sun 4Mon 5
p75 — typical flyable dayp95 — exceptional dayBar height = soarable tops (hwcrit)
▸Detailed forecast table
TimeStarsTops (m)Sfc WindBL WindBL TopBL Ht (m)Thermal (m/s)BL Cloud %Sun %Temp (°C)Dewpt (°C)Rain (mm)Pres (hPa)
Wed 30ClearStarsTops (m)Sfc WindBL WindBL TopBL Ht (m)Thermal (m/s)BL Cloud %Sun %Temp (°C)Dewpt (°C)Rain (mm)Pres (hPa)
08h—8926 NE24 NE24 NE980.00%84%17.86.801019
11h—1711 N11 N11 N250.00%96%22.111.701019
14h—172 S2 S2 S250.00%98%19.61201016
17h—176 ESE6 ESE6 ESE250.00%98%22.311.101014
Thu 1FogStarsTops (m)Sfc WindBL WindBL TopBL Ht (m)Thermal (m/s)BL Cloud %Sun %Temp (°C)Dewpt (°C)Rain (mm)Pres (hPa)
08h—8930 N46 N54 NNW3231.0100%58%15.614.301016
11h—1744 NNW56 NNW61 NNW2330.024%92%17.714.301015
14h—1739 NW44 NW52 NW1620.076%97%1614.701015
17h—1731 NNW39 NW43 NW2830.099%87%1614.701014
Fri 2ClearStarsTops (m)Sfc WindBL WindBL TopBL Ht (m)Thermal (m/s)BL Cloud %Sun %Temp (°C)Dewpt (°C)Rain (mm)Pres (hPa)
08h—8915 NW19 NW20 WNW2511.099%53%151411021
11h—71213 WSW15 WSW17 W10322.074%87%17.313.401022
14h—73017 SSW17 SSW13 WSW10312.053%86%1712.801021
17h—50422 S26 SSE20 S8972.074%70%161201021
Sat 3ClearStarsTops (m)Sfc WindBL WindBL TopBL Ht (m)Thermal (m/s)BL Cloud %Sun %Temp (°C)Dewpt (°C)Rain (mm)Pres (hPa)
08h—8339 SE43 SE44 SE9371.061%100%14.28.701026
11h—54039 SE50 SE57 ESE9502.0100%61%15.410.901026
14h—8354 ESE63 ESE70 ESE4931.054%32%15.111.301025
17h—32046 ESE57 ESE69 ESE7031.075%89%15.41101023
Sun 4ClearStarsTops (m)Sfc WindBL WindBL TopBL Ht (m)Thermal (m/s)BL Cloud %Sun %Temp (°C)Dewpt (°C)Rain (mm)Pres (hPa)
08h——13 E——————14.4—01021
11h——8 ESE——————16.4—01021
14h——10 S——————17.8—01019
17h——17 S——————17.7—01017
Mon 5ClearStarsTops (m)Sfc WindBL WindBL TopBL Ht (m)Thermal (m/s)BL Cloud %Sun %Temp (°C)Dewpt (°C)Rain (mm)Pres (hPa)
08h——12 W——————16—01014
11h——12 W——————17.1—01013
14h——17 W——————17.3—01011
17h——17 W——————16.8—01010

A short coastal peak in front of Misty Cliffs, at the southern end of the ridge. The mountain is part of Baskloof Private Nature Reserve. Flying here depends on the owner's goodwill and is only permitted from one approved launch just below the antenna at the top.

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Table Mountain National Park requirements

Private property and a registered nature reserve. Launch only from the approved top launch. No moustache, parakite or speedwing proximity flying, because of the nesting raptors and klipspringer. Misuse could get the site closed to all flying.

Hazards & cautions

Strong winds aloft. Helicopters from the Waterfront may land about 300m east of the top launch, so watch for traffic and rotor wash. CCTV covers the launch. Nesting raptors and klipspringer live on the mountain.

Launch & landing

The only approved launch is just below the antenna at the top of the mountain, about 300m high with a 1200m ceiling. It is steep ground, with a net installation planned. Do not launch from the first level area about 15 minutes into the hike, or from the lower "launch", which is being fenced off. Land on Scarborough Main Beach only, away from the parking area. Do not land on Mussel Beach, directly below launch, where the Scarborough Enviro Group is protecting rare sea birds. Do not land on the lawns at Schusterskraal picnic area, which TMNP does not want us on.

Access

Buy a daily hiking permit at The Hub Restaurant. Walk to the end of Hilltop Road, where the path starts beside a basketball hoop on a pole. At the firebreak, veer right and climb steeply to a right-angled junction (about 20 minutes). Turn left to a big plateau below the final rise. Take the branch at a large beacon that passes a single large Leucodendron on its right, then head for the antenna and go down the shallow gully on the right-hand side of the aerials. From the junction to launch is about 10 to 12 minutes, so allow 35 minutes or more for the whole walk. Streamers are in place and serviced regularly.

Flying conditions

Wind recommendation

SW

Flyable directions

SW

Wind speed range

0–18 km/h

Air School training site

Not used for Air School training

Quick facts

Grade
Basic
Region
Cape Town
Distance from Cape Town
30 km (straight-line)
Coordinates
-34.1886°S, 18.3694°E
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Want to train at a site like this?

See Beginner Course

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Your first solo flight is three sessions away. The beginner course is available year-round — gear, sites, and SAHPA registration all included.

Or call +27 78 095 8136