Piketberg
📍 Western Cape , West Coast District Municipality · Nearest city: Piketberg (6 km)
49 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 616 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
-32.85500, 18.73670Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:39 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Marginal conditions, cloud base ~852 m, wind 18 km/h.
base ~852m · wind 18 km/hNot recommended for flying, cloud base ~1290 m, wind 16 km/h.
base ~1290m · wind 16 km/hMarginal conditions, cloud base ~2008 m, wind 13 km/h.
base ~2008m · wind 13 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) | 8 | High |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.81 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.17 | Slope faces north in southern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
Walk uphill from the cars, over the fence and about 50m up through the bush where you'll find a small cleared area.
Rules and notes
ceiling 450m ASL (military), 2100m ASL (commercial). PERMISSION: none needed. Access to the radio mast above Piketberg town through Eskom to be negotiated.
Pilot comments
E BASIC A site used when the wind is over the back at Porterville.
Nearby sites
Koringberg (41) · Dasklip Pass, Porterville (54) · Pampoenfontein (55) · Kardoesie SW (43) · Piekernierskloof Pass (44) · Kardoesie NW (51)