Regulations | Locations

The Parkway staff will help in any way possible to make your flight a safe one, but often the best source for Information on local conditions can be obtained from local hang gliding clubs. The Parkway encourages you to contact local pilots who are familiar with each specific site. Several hang gliding organizations operate in the area, and more specific information on each site can be obtained via their web pages.

Regulations

All hang gliders are required to obtain a special permit available at local ranger offices.

Because of the steep terrain at both authorized launch sites, hang gliders are required to have a Hang 3 rating, and the Ravens Roost Site requires a Cliff Launch rating.

Individual or blanket written permission from landowner(s) of landing sites is required.

Space is limited, and only two open kites are allowed on each site at any given time.

All hang gliding incidents will be reported to a Park Ranger, including difficulties at either launching or landing sites, conflicts with visitors or landowners, accidents, near misses, etc.

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Locations

There are currently two launch sites in Virginia:

Roanoke Mountain (milepost 120)
Roanoke Mountain is an east-facing site with a launch elevation of 2194 feet MSL. The landing area requires permission from a landowner and is at 1100 feet. The best wind direction is east, but the site can be flown north/northeast to southeast. The site is flyable in no wind conditions.

Ravens Roost (milepost 11)
Ravens Roost is a west-facing site with a launch elevation of 3200 feet MSL. The launch is over a large cliff and landing requires written permission from landing site landowner(s).

Launching a hang glider from any other location is prohibited.

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