This is arguably one of the best cross-country flying sites in the world.

You can wake up in your comfy Cape Town Airbnb, have some single-origin coffee and breakfast with a view, and two hours later find yourself on launch. A valley full of thermals and landing options awaits you (and comfortable and affordable retrieves and a refreshing cold beverage after spending hours in the sky!)

When you go for a small chill flight, you might end up flying for 5 hours or more and breaking your personal best. Many pilots fly their first 50 or 100k or 150k flight in this valley, some even on their A-wings.

Launches:
The main launches along the PV ridge are Kardoesie, Dasklip, and Pampoenfontein (but you can also fly in from further south, like Dutoitskloof or the rougher launch north of Kardoesie called Antennas). On the other, western side of the valley, pilots launch from Piketberg (or the much nastier, overgrown, less-accessible, and not advisable Koringberg). Lastly, it is possible to winch-launch, but I don’t have any reliable info on an operator.

Lots of good potential for Cross Country flying. Many pilots clock their first 50 or 100k or 150k flight in this valley, also on A-wings.

This site is not beginner friendly. Best to fly with a local school or to book a tour if you have XC experience but you are new to this area.

License:
You’re not allowed to fly anywhere in SA without a valid SAHPA licence (register and pay online). Your license includes third-party insurance (should you accidentally damage, say, a farmer’s fence).

Kardoesie:
If you are going to launch from Kardoesie, pay the daily site usage fee at the restaurant (also called Kardoesie, right when you turn off the N7).

Dasklip and Pampoenfontein:
If you’re going to launch from Dasklip or Pampoenfontein, you will need to arrive early, sign in, and pay at the “The Flyers' Lodge Guest House and pub” in Porterville town. If you don’t do this, you will be banned for life from these launches owned and managed by the Lodge (a bit heavy-handed to some, but let’s not talk politics here).
The Lodge [https://maps.app.goo.gl/TRVQgnGKg1w6Wpoy9] [-33.00431250652595, 18.99324988409482]

Airspace:
There is an airspace restriction for most of the PV valley, but not the entire eastern PV ridge (see FAR45 in the dedicated page Airspace). In other words: paragliders need to get permission to fly in the airspace. Luckily, on flyable days in summer, someone will usually request airspace permission, but it is ultimately your responsibility to find out that you’re allowed to fly on any given day. On some days flying won’t be allowed due to military drills.

Ask in the Glen Whatsapp Groups about clearance for FAR45 or contact Birdmen Paragliding (Barry Pederson +27 (0)82 658 6710) or the Flyers Lodge (Rob Manzoni and staff +27 (0)82 788 4398).

Flying is prohibited within the Krantzkop explosives site airspace (FAP38). Additionally, there is a flight ceiling of FL140 everywhere and you’ll need to stay below FL085 south of Saron.

FlyPorterville – Airspace:
[https://web.archive.org/web/20211026043636/http://www.flyporterville.info/paragliding-porterville-airspace-south-africa.html]

Airspace:
The flying area is in restricted airspace.

Weather:
Mid-day thermals can blast you like a rocket with 7+ m/s, only for a dangerously fast Atlantic wind to come and kidnap you. Unfortunately every year there are avoidable accidents and incidents, so don’t be complacent and know your level of flying and personal limits.

Beginning XC pilots:
If you haven’t flown the site before or you don’t have extensive XC experience, please contact a local flying school, instructor, or senior pilot. Fly together, or join a tour as this will provide you with a proper briefing. The SAHPA website has a list of affiliated instructors and the Glen Country Whatsapp groups is a good place to meet other pilots.

Launching:
There is a real risk of hitting a wild thermal on takeoff, getting a collapse, and slamming into the rocks. It is best to stay home on wild days, there will be another day. On a good day, launch early and time your launch with the thermic cycles. Expect collapses until you clear the ridge so active piloting is a must.

Landing:
There is endless farmland to land in, owned by farmers that are usually friendly. There are some farms you cannot land, and it is best to ask someone on takeoff to point them out.

Don’t land in rooibos bushes (these look wild, but are cultivated) and land away from animals. If you open a farm gate, make sure you close it behind you, don’t climb over wire fences, and greet the farmers and staff.

Many will try to end their day at the Porterville Lodge (they have a pool, accommodation, a very nice landing area, cold beer and useful information), or perhaps at the landing zones at the foot of Kardoesie or Dasklip (if their vehicles are parked there).

Always keep an eye out for dust devils, also close to the ground.

Dangerous Gulleys:
On days with southwestern wind, be particularly careful of crawling around ridges into north-facing gulleys. The SW wind releases (thermals in that SW direction), but thermals are also baking in the lee (in the gulley protected from the wind) and when the two meet it has resulted in many near-the-ground reserve tosses.
This video explains the dangers best, definitely worth a watch.
[https://youtube.com/watch?v=7bcD47N2pjA]

Getting a ride:
Pilots have gotten rides from farm workers. (carry a R50 or R100 note to say thanks).