Paragliding Piedrahita

Peña Negra, located in Piedrahita, Spain, is renowned as one of the premier paragliding sites globally. It offers a world-class takeoff at an altitude of 1920 meters with a height difference of 808 meters, making it suitable for medium to easy flights. The site is highly frequented and known for its excellent thermal flying conditions, making it ideal for cross-country (XC) flights. Top landing is possible here, although the lower takeoff area below the road is now overgrown and rarely used. During the day, strong anabatic winds can develop, so it's crucial to monitor the conditions and be patient. Optimal flying times can vary, sometimes starting as early as 11 AM or as late as 3 PM. The best period to fly at Peña Negra is from June to September, with mid to late July being particularly favorable before the grain harvest in August. Before flying, it's essential to be aware of the airspace regulations. For instance, classic flights to the west towards Ávila are possible until you encounter restricted airspace. Northwest of Ávila, there is a NOTAM area where flying is permitted but only below 3000 meters. Piedrahita offers a mix of open flatland and mountainous terrain, providing near-ideal conditions for high-altitude flying. It caters to both expert cross-country pilots and beginners needing low airtime sessions. The site has hosted numerous competitions and seen several world records broken. For more information on guides, accommodations, and other details, visit [Fly Piedrahita](http://www.flypiedrahita.com/flypiedrahita/flyingTakeOffs). Steve Ham, located at C/Somoza 20 (road to takeoff) in Piedrahita, is a recommended local guide. You can contact him at +34 920360550. Access to the site is via a tarmac road linking Piedrahita to the Peña Negra pass, with ample parking and a bar open during the summer. The main launch site is usable on 90% of good flyable days. If you need to top land, the best area is near the windsock on the west side of the upper launch. Landing fields are available in the valley, approximately a 4.5:1 glide from the launch. There is a halfway landing field on the spine running down to the right of the takeoff, just before the forested section known locally as Monte de Jura. This area often has about 70 beehives in the summer, earning it the nickname 'The Bees' (Los Ramos). There are also suitable fields in the gully before the forested section next to the road and near the Chalets on the Chalet spine. The official landing field in the valley can change yearly, so it's best to consult with local pilots or Steve Ham upon arrival. For more detailed information, visit [Zonas de Vuelo](http://www.zonasdevuelo.com/zonasvuelo.html?fz=58). Weather hazards include strong easterly forecasts, which can appear fine at takeoff but may be turbulent in the valley. Important airspace restrictions exist after 64 km to the east, so always check the current regulations before flying. Peña Negra offers fantastic thermal conditions for hours of soaring, making it an ideal flying site for both experienced pilots and beginners. The European Championship is also held here, highlighting its significance in the paragliding community.

This paragliding site is situated at an elevation of 1358 meters with a height difference of approximately 330 meters. It is rarely used and doesn't offer any unique features that would make it preferable over other sites like Pena Negra. Access requires a walk up, and there are no significant advantages to choosing this location. The site record is 45.3 km. For more popular and well-regarded paragliding sites in Spain, you might want to explore other options.

Located in Piedrahita, Spain, this paragliding site offers a launch altitude of 1,625 meters (5,281 feet) above sea level with a top-to-bottom height of 500 meters (1,625 feet). The site is oriented towards the south and west, making it ideal for days with southerly winds. Access to the launch site is challenging as it is not official and is reached via forestry roads. From the village of Lastra del Cano, take the forestry track in front of the bar. After 400 meters, you will encounter a gate that may be closed by fire watchtower personnel. The main south-facing takeoff is approximately 4 kilometers along this track. There is also a west-facing launch below the watchtower, but it is often restricted due to the presence of nesting Black Vultures. This site is renowned for its excellent cross-country (XC) potential. It has a history of hosting significant national distance-to-goal flights and has seen European records set on three occasions. The takeoff area is a grassy slope in a large clearing within a pine forest, offering stunning views of the Gredos mountains and the river Tormes below. The scent of wild lavender and thyme adds to the experience. For optimal flying conditions, an early start is recommended as the wind can become too strong by midday. Evening flights are also possible if you have a reliable retrieval service. The site is known for its smooth ridge lift in the evenings, occasionally enhanced by wave lift from the Gredos mountains. Landing fields are abundant along the main N-110 highway, making it easy to land safely. Evening flights often aim to get as close to Piedrahita as possible along this road. The fields in front of the hill are generally smaller but manageable for paragliders. Weather hazards include strong anabatic winds on southerly wind days, which can make conditions challenging if not started early. Flying is restricted until August due to nesting Black Vultures. For more information, you can contact Steve Ham at www.flypiedrahita.com. Tourism in the area includes visits to Barco de Ávila and the Gredos mountains. For additional details, visit: [Fly Piedrahita](http://www.flypiedrahita.com/flypiedrahita/flyingTakeOffs) and [Zonas de Vuelo](http://www.zonasdevuelo.com/zonasvuelo.html?fz=174).

This paragliding site in Avila, Spain, has an elevation of 1378 meters with a height difference of approximately 200 meters. It is rarely used and considered unofficial. The site is primarily suitable for thermal soaring. Pilots typically need to walk up to the launch area. The site record is 44.7 km, achieved during a task where the pilot landed on a small hump and restarted from there, indicating that it is not an official launch site.

This paragliding site is situated at an elevation of 1190 meters. It is occasionally used and is suitable for walk & fly activities. Cross-country (XC) flights are possible from this location, offering opportunities for longer, more adventurous flights.

Located at an approximate altitude of 1643 meters, this paragliding site is near the firetower and is occasionally used. It is not an official site, so it is recommended to consult with locals like Steve Ham before planning your flight. To reach the launch point, drive to La Lastra main launch, park your car there, and walk the last 500 meters. The walk is manageable and not too strenuous. This site is primarily used for evening soaring. If thermals are present, you can fly over the ridge to the north and land in the valley there. Note that there is no landing zone directly below the launch, so you will need some lift to land safely, even if you choose to land in the valley south of the launch. The launch area has some vegetation and limited space for laying out your wing, making it suitable for medium and experienced pilots. It is not recommended for beginners.

This site is situated at an elevation of 1763 meters. It is occasionally used for paragliding, and cross-country (XC) flights are possible from here.

Altitude: 1809 meters, with a height difference of approximately 350 meters. This site is rarely used and is considered difficult. It offers some soaring opportunities and limited cross-country potential. Top landing is possible, but the launch is shallow with trees and a fence that need to be flown over. The other Chia takeoff is generally considered better. Region: Spain Site Record: 205.4 km Access: From the south side of the Chia pass, a dirt track leads to both launches. South East Launch: Located in a bowl facing ESE. Park near the water container and walk 80 meters up the hill to a large grassy launch area, suitable for easy top landings. Southerly Launch: Follow the track out of the bowl to the main southerly face. The takeoff is a very shallow grassy area, safe and easy for top landing. Details: This site is excellent for easy ridge soaring in the evening when restitution often sets up. It is often used when the wind is over the back early in the day at Peña Negra. If pilots haven't climbed out by around 2 pm, they often return to Peña Negra. It is common to go over the back at Chia and find convergence with the anabatic wind up the face of the Piedrahita range. Excellent XC flights to Salamanca and Ciudad Rodrigo have been achieved from here. Landing Fields: In front of the southerly launch, the area is very flat with many large, unfenced fields. The preferred landing spot is a large field with goalposts. From the SE takeoff, you might not reach the football field, but there is a suitable landing field next to the road going down. Statistics: - Altitude: 1800 meters (5850 feet) ASL - Top to bottom height: 400 meters (1300 feet) - Orientations: S and SE Access: Drive up the Chia pass from the Piedrahita (Corneja) valley, passing through Villafranca and Navacepedilla de Corneja. About 50 meters after going over the pass, there is a forest road on the right. Comments: This site is excellent for easy ridge soaring in the evening when restitution often sets up. It is often used when the wind is over the back early in the day at Peña Negra. If pilots haven't climbed out by around 2 pm, they often return to Peña Negra. It is common to go over the back at Chia and find convergence with the anabatic wind up the face of the Piedrahita range. Excellent XC flights to Salamanca and Ciudad Rodrigo have been achieved from here. Weather Hazards: The site can handle a lot of southerly wind safely due to slightly rising grazing land behind, which reduces rotor effects. Often, the base can be low and raining in the Piedrahita valley but flyable in Chia. It is a place you can often fly on days that start to overdevelop, as Cbs generally form at other points around it. However, you still need to land when they get big as they can break into the Chia valley. Flight Regulation: This is a little-used site but essential on stronger SE days when the wind fails to come in at Peña Negra. On these days, it offers good evening flying. Beware of flying here on strong wind and strong thermal days in the mid-afternoon. People to Contact: Mainly used and discovered by Steve Ham of FlyPiedrahita. Use is tolerated by the town hall of San Martin de la Vega. Website: [FlyPiedrahita](http://www.flypiedrahita.com) For more information, visit [Zonas de Vuelo](http://www.zonasdevuelo.com/zonasvuelo.html?fz=173).

At an altitude of 1699 meters, this paragliding site is rarely used and primarily suitable for soaring. It is not an official site and may even be forbidden. It's crucial to ask locals or check with http://www.flypiedrahita.com for the current status. There has been a northwest launch in the area that has been forbidden, but the current status is unclear. The maximum altitude for takeoff is 1700 meters, with a north to northwest orientation. Access: From Avila, take the N502 towards Arenas de San Pedro. Midway through the Menga pass, there is a track on the left from a very sharp right-hand curve. Pass through the gap in the guardrail, then through a cattle gate. After about 20 minutes, you will reach the ridge and the takeoff points. The maximum elevation difference is 400 meters. For more information, visit: http://www.zonasdevuelo.com/zonasvuelo.html?fz=163

Located in Spain, this paragliding site offers an altitude of 1843 meters with a height difference of approximately 400 meters. It is occasionally used, mainly for thermal soaring, with the potential for good cross-country flights, although these are rare. There are various takeoff possibilities, with the most commonly used one being described here. Top landing is possible. Access to the site is from the south side of the Chia pass via a dirt track that leads to both launches. The South East launch is in a bowl facing ESE, with parking near a water container. From there, it's an 80-meter walk up the hill to a large grassy launch area, suitable for easy top landings. The Southerly launch is accessed by following the track out of the bowl to the main southerly face, where the takeoff area is a shallow grassy spot, also safe and easy for top landing. This site is excellent for ridge soaring in the evening when restitution often sets up. It is often used when the wind is over the back early in the day at Peña Negra. If pilots haven't climbed out by around 2 pm, they often return to Peña Negra. It is common to go over the back at Chia and find convergence with the anabatic wind up the face of the Piedrahita range. Some excellent XC flights have been made from here to Salamanca and Ciudad Rodrigo. Landing fields are available out front of the Southerly launch, which is very flat with many unfenced large fields. The preferred landing spot is a large field with goalposts. From the South East takeoff, you might not reach the football field, but there is a suitable landing field next to the road going down. For more information, visit [Fly Piedrahita](http://www.flypiedrahita.com). The site can handle a lot of southerly wind safely due to the slightly rising grazing land behind, which reduces rotor effects. Often, the base can be low and raining in the Piedrahita valley but flyable in Chia. It is a place where you can often fly on days that start to overdevelop, as cumulonimbus clouds generally form at other points around it. However, you should land when they get big as they can break into the Chia valley. This site is essential on stronger SE days when the wind fails to come in at Peña Negra, offering good evening flying. Be cautious of flying here on strong wind and strong thermal days in the mid-afternoon. For additional details, visit [Zonas de Vuelo](http://www.zonasdevuelo.com/zonasvuelo.html?fz=173).

This location offers an elevation range between 1900 and 2050 meters. It's not the most popular spot, but it does provide various hike-and-fly options for those who enjoy combining hiking with paragliding. Cross-country (XC) flights are possible from this site, giving you the opportunity to explore the surrounding areas from the air.

This paragliding site in Spain, with a takeoff altitude of 1315 meters, is rarely used. While it does offer some potential for cross-country (XC) flights, it is not a popular destination among paragliders. The site record for the longest flight here is 67.8 km. For more information on other paragliding sites in Spain, you might want to visit local paragliding clubs or forums.

This paragliding site in Spain, situated at an elevation of 1313 meters, is infrequently used. While it does offer some potential for cross-country (XC) flights, it is not a popular choice among paragliders. The site record for the longest flight here is 67.8 km. For more information on other paragliding sites in Spain, you can visit [Paragliding Spain](https://www.paragliding-spain.com).