Paragliding Montellano low

Montellano, located about a half-hour drive north of Algodonales, offers excellent and easy soaring conditions. The site features a perfectly inclined ridge that is ideal for soaring, especially when the wind conditions are favorable. There are two launch sites: one at the top of the ridge and another lower down on a hill above the landing area. The lower launch site is primarily used when the wind is stronger. With some skill and elevation gain, pilots can transition to the main ridge for extended soaring. However, in strong wind conditions, it's advisable to descend early to avoid being blown over the upper ridge. The typical goal for shorter soaring flights is the tower on the conical hill to the east. Montellano is also a great starting point for longer cross-country flights when the thermals are good. Hang gliders often manage to fly all the way to the coast, approximately 100 km away. Landing is usually done in nearby fields, but caution is required as some fields are fenced with razor wire. Guest pilots are not allowed to fly at Montellano on weekends since 2008. For more information, you can contact Club Sevillano Vuelo Libre at +34 954423055. Algodonales, a small town in Andalusia, is surrounded by several excellent flying sites suitable for all wind directions. The best time to fly here is from mid-September to mid-April, although it can be windy in spring. While thermals are scarce in the rest of Europe during this period, Algodonales often offers good soaring conditions. The sunny winter climate is an added bonus. Algodonales is located halfway between Málaga and Jerez de la Frontera, both of which are accessible from Germany via airlines like Tuifly, AirBerlin, and Germanwings. From these cities, it's a 1.5 to 2-hour drive to Algodonales. Within an hour's drive from Algodonales, there are eight launch sites to choose from. The main flying area is Mogote, also known as Sierra de Lijar, located directly north of Algodonales. This site, along with Montellano, is ideal for cross-country flights. Other nearby flying sites include El Bosque, Ronda la Vieja, Cañete la Real, and Teba. The region is influenced by the Atlantic climate, especially near the Grazalema National Park, which often results in west wind conditions. The area is generally affected by the Azores High, with typical winds from the north to southeast. However, the sea breeze can influence the wind direction in the afternoon, often shifting it to west or northwest. For weather forecasts, regional influences of the sea breeze are not captured in usual wind predictions. It's crucial to monitor the upper-level winds to assess the flying conditions for the day. Useful resources include the GFS Windgram for Algodonales from NOAA and the Spanish weather service INM. Additionally, there is a webcam for the Levante launch site in Algodonales. For guidance and accommodation, you can contact Gerhard (Gerardo) at [Ganterfly](http://www.ganterfly.de) or Lijar Sur at [Lijar Sur](http://www.lijarsur.com).