Franschoek
📍 Western Cape , Cape Winelands District Municipality · Nearest city: Paarl (25 km)
52 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 757 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
-33.90330, 19.15720Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:31 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Not recommended for flying, cloud base ~194 m, wind 14 km/h, precipitation 2.2 mm.
base ~194m · wind 14 km/h · precip 2.2mmMarginal conditions, cloud base ~1227 m, wind 14 km/h.
base ~1227m · wind 14 km/hMarginal conditions, cloud base ~1906 m, wind 9 km/h.
base ~1906m · wind 9 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
🌬 Daily wind (next days)
Daily summary (10m wind). Full hour × altitude chart is being added progressively.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 3 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.80 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.57 | Slope faces north in southern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
Just over the crest of the Franschhoek Pass, there is a parking area on the left of the road. A fence runs towards the cliffs from the car park, and the launch is at the end of this fence, a few metres into the nature reserve.
Rules and notes
PERMISSION: Mont Rochelle Conservancy look after the reserve, and an inspector does come to the site to check on permits from time to time. There is a yearly site fee, payable before flying. Contact the clubs to get the necessary paperwork. Please be careful of causing fires and make every effort not to cause erosion on the launch site.
Pilot comments
A superb place to go for scenic flying high above the vineyards. Thermal and soaring. A superb place to go for scenic flying high above the vineyards, rounded off with a mellow luncheon and wine in the quaint 'Alpine' town. Flyable days here are often before a weak cold-front, with a pre-frontal NW wind. Be aware that the wind is likely to increase rapidly during the day, often peaking at about 1:30 p.m. After 4pm it often weakens. At sunset the wind dies, and can blow downhill at the base of the pass
Nearby sites
Greenlandmountain (1) · Du Toits Kloof Pass (45) · Rusty Gate (31) · Paarl Rock (46) · Groenberg 1 (36) · Sir Lowry s Pass (43)