Signal Hill Bench

Signal Hill is a long ridge that forms the body of the Lion's Head silhouette above Cape Town, and its smooth slope makes an obstruction to the north-westerly wind that produces the ideal Sunday-afternoon soaring window. The 295 m launch works on N, W and NW flow, with a wide but relatively low lift band peppered by occasional thermals. Hang-gliders find the real magic here in strong wind, soaring high in laminar flow. The two-way relationship with Sir Lowry's Pass makes for a resilient day plan: if it's too light at Signal Hill, drive to Sir Lowry's; if it's too strong there, come back here. This is a Sports-rated (advanced) site — do NOT fly it without a Sports licence, and always with an experienced local pilot.

Launch & conditions

Easy slope launch, but the wind gradient can increase rapidly and there are no landing options if you get blown over the back. If you can't top-land at Sea Point Park, landing is difficult because it requires flying over buildings. For NW winds, drive to the end of the road and park in the tarred car park — the launch is the grassed picnic area just to the left. Suitable areas below the chains just before the car park can also work. Second take-off at the lookout point, on grass left of the boardwalk.

Getting there & local rules

Drive up Kloof Nek Road, past Lion's Head toward the Signal Hill lookout point. Halfway along, an entrance opens on the left (after the Muslim Kramat). Walk to the left and set up facing the sea.

Local rules & hazards

Sports-rated (advanced) site with a 1,200 m airspace ceiling — do not fly without the rating and an experienced local alongside. Conditions are usually pre-frontal, so watch for rapid wind increase and strong gradient — the site has caught out experienced pilots repeatedly. Avoid Berg (NE) conditions, or the immediate window after the wind has swung from NE to NW: the Berg air doesn't dissipate at once and the NW can be gustier than it looks.

Check conditions before you fly

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