Dasklip Pass, Porterville

Dasklip Pass at Porterville is one of South Africa's classic Cape flying sites — a big prepared launch above the pass road just before its high point, working on SW, W and NW flow. The Olifants River mountain range runs 70 km south to north from here, and it's not hard to log 100 km+ flights along it in the right conditions. Summer really cooks; winter conditions suit training. A dependable house thermal sits just past the ravine to the right, near the one south-facing rock face; below it, halfway out to the plains, is a rocky bump the locals call 'rescue' — often the best low save early in a flight. Launch site fee is R50 per day or R500 annually. Commercial tandems are not permitted here. Ceiling is 4,000 m AMSL.

Launch & conditions

Big prepared launch above the road just before the pass's high point. On SW conditions the launch can be tricky because thermals from the gully to the left of the launch feed in — the 'wind' often appears to come from that direction. Launch as far back as possible (rear right looking up-slope) so you get a run with good speed before airborne. Hang-gliders usually launch from the steel ramp below the road opposite the paragliding launch.

Getting there & local rules

From Cape Town take the N1 to Piketberg, then just before Piketberg take the R44 to Porterville for 25 km. At the T-junction turn left (right takes you into Porterville). About 3 km on, right onto a rough dirt road signposted Dasklip Pass — follow for 9 km to the 'Turkey Patch' fork, then bear right and up the mountain on a long winding tar road at the 40 km/h speed limit. The hang-glider ramp appears near the top on your left; the paragliding launch is just past that.

Local rules & hazards

Ceiling 4,000 m AMSL. Site fee R50/day or R500/year; no commercial tandems permitted. SAHPA (or guest) membership required. Flatland flights to the west may require permission. Thermals can be strong and turbulent near the ridge — fly actively. Late-afternoon SW winds often prevent launching; gusts over 40 km/h are not uncommon. Watch for dust devils on the plains under launch; land wide of ostrich fields and crops.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Dasklip Pass, Porterville, 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 Dasklip Pass, Porterville with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.