A Guide to Flying Adventures
South America
Argentina
Bariloche - Fly the Andes and fly with condors. The XC possibilities will take you to wild, remote, and scenic places. It is best from December - March
Brazil
Rio de Janeiro - Take off in a tropical forest, land on the beach, and if conditions align then fly XC to the famous statue of Christ. This is a place you can go anytime of the year to fly but it’s best in spring and summer.
Governador Valadares - offers smooth and reliable thermals from January to April, making it ideal for flying in shorts and T-shirts at cloudbase over its lush, rolling green hills. With a well-equipped launch site at Pico do Ibituruna and a variety of XC routes, it's a perfect destination for honing skills or enjoying scenic free flying adventures.
Colombia
Bucaramanga - Year-round, reliable flying perfect for new pilots looking to hone their thermalling skills and log airtime. With The Nest hostel just two minutes from launch, pilots can enjoy a laid-back atmosphere and convenient access to scenic ridge soaring and consistent thermals throughout the day.
Peru
Lima - Unique urban flying from a grassy cliffside park in Miraflores, with soaring opportunities above the Pacific Ocean and the city's bustling streets. Best for scenic coastal flights, pilots can enjoy views of Lima's sprawling skyline.
Venezuela
Placivel - spectacular paragliding opportunities with consistent thermals, stunning mountain vistas, and a welcoming local community, making it an ideal destination for both XC enthusiasts and recreational pilots.
Merida - combines breathtaking Andean landscapes with reliable thermals, hosting the Andes Open Paragliding Event January 3-7 making it a must-visit destination for pilots seeking adventure and competition.
North America
USA
Dunlap, TN - Paragliding in the Sequatchie Valley near Dunlap, TN, offers breathtaking ridge soaring and thermal flying along the expansive Appalachian foothills, with smooth morning flights and dynamic afternoon conditions.
Salt Lake City, Utah - The peaks may still be covered in snow but the famous Point of the Mountain and some lower elevation hike and flys are consistent for flying this time of year. Take caution as spring conditions can be turbulent and less predictable.
Chelan, Washington - Chelan Butte is a world-renowned freeflight site and has a long history of hosting national competitions. Experienced cross-country pilots enjoy the varied terrain: flatlands to the south and east, mountains to the north and west. Chelan can offer a quick winter sled ride, a short XC flight up the lake to Manson, an epic flight to Idaho, and everything in between.
Mexico
Zaachila - It's known as one of the best flying sites in Mexico, with a top-drivable launch, a large grassy take off and a lush semi-tropical landscape.
Central America
Guatemala
Chiquimula - BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY! - Experience paragliding, hiking, ziplines, camel rides, mountain biking, canopy tours, and camel rides at a mountain adventure park, complete with luxurious bungalows, restaurant, and a heated pool for relaxation.
Europe
France
Greolieres - A charming Provençal village less than an hour from Nice, offers year-round flying with a sunny microclimate and take-offs ranging from 300m to 1,740m. With stunning views of the Cheiron mountain and nearby XC opportunities in Gourdon and Col de Bleyne, it’s a must-visit for pilots of all abilities.
Italy
Bassano - Bassano del Grappa, on the southern edge of the Alps, offers year-round paragliding with a mix of ridge and flatland flying, best visited in spring and autumn when thermals are strongest. With big grassy launches, easy access, Italian cuisine, and a welcoming pilot community, it’s a top destination for XC flying, featuring scenic routes, reliable shuttles, and a rich cultural experience.
Monaco
Roquebrune - This is the final checkpoint for the famous XALPS race. You can soar with possible XC flying above the Mediterranean villas of the super-rich and then land on a beautiful beach. Then put some money on red like James Bond in the famous Casino Monte Carlo.
Montenegro
Lovcen - Montenegro offers stunning coastal and inland XC paragliding, best flown in spring and autumn, with thermals beginning as early as February and calmer conditions returning after the summer heat. Fly from the SW-facing Brajici launch for a scenic 40km coastal run or soar from Lovcen’s summit into the breathtaking Kotor Bay, all while enjoying Mediterranean beaches, rich history, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Lovcen, Montenegro
Portugal
Madeira - An island in the Atlantic, offers year-round coastal soaring with breathtaking views and a warm subtropical climate. Best flown at Arco da Calheta, the island's premier site, it’s perfect for experienced pilots looking for dynamic or relaxed flying and beach landings.
Spain
Ager - a year-round flying paradise with ideal conditions from February to October, offering incredible XC opportunities over rocky ridges, turquoise lakes, and Pyrenean landscapes, perfect for both beginners and seasoned pilots.
Algodonales - Sitting beneath the Sierra de Lijar in southern Spain, is a paragliding hotspot perfect for beginners and XC addicts alike. Best flown from March to May or September to October for big flights, it’s also ideal year-round for training and progression.
Andalucia - Year-round flying with diverse sites ranging from the Sierra Nevada mountains to coastal locations like Almuñécar, where big XC flights often end at the sea. It features over 20 established sites, good thermals and a mix of desert-like plains and olive-covered hills. With excellent infrastructure and a vibrant flying community, it’s a top destination for pilots of all levels.
El Yelmo - El Yelmo, in northern Andalucia, offers spectacular paragliding from February to November, with smooth evening flights and strong thermals for XC, peaking in July during the famous El Yelmo Festival. With a high-altitude launch, stunning valley views, and routes to medieval villages like Segura de la Sierra, it’s an ideal destination for honing thermalling skills while enjoying Spain’s laid-back rural charm.
Canary Islands - Enjoy year-round flying conditions on these volcanic islands but October to April is best.
La Palma - With fewer tourists and excellent local guiding services, it’s an ideal destination for pilots seeking variety and peace.
El Yelmo
Switzerland
Interlaken - nestled between the Swiss flatlands and the Alps, offers year-round paragliding with stunning high-mountain flights, smooth valley thermals, and easy landings in the town center, best flown from March to October. With legendary sites like the north face of the Eiger, 15 accessible launches, and world-class infrastructure, it’s a top destination for both XC pilots and tandem flyers seeking breathtaking Alpine scenery.
Mürren - Located in the Lauterbrunnen valley providing incredibly scenic flights with views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks while descending massive cliffs into the beautiful Lauterbrunnen valley.
Salève - Just 30 minutes from Geneva, offers scenic flying with views of Jura, the alps, and lake Geneva.
Interlaken
Africa
Morocco
Aguergour, Ait Ourir - ideal winter retreats for free fliers, offering gentle thermals, breathtaking XC routes, and easy access to Marrakesh’s culture. Soar the Atlas mountains by day and immerse yourself in souks and ancient streets by night.
Nid d’Aigle - For an easy winter getaway, fly Nid d’Aigle in southern Morocco, where balmy coastal winds and thermals provide great soaring conditions from October to May, complemented by nearby cultural and outdoor adventures.
South Africa
Cape Town - Stunning coastal flying with iconic launches like Lion’s Head, panoramic views of the Atlantic, and the chance to soar near Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles. Best flown from November to March.
Porterville - A premier XC destination with strong thermals, expansive flatlands, and a 100km ridge offering big flights from November to March. With well-established launches, reliable weather, and guiding services, it’s perfect for pilots seeking big distances and challenging desert flying.
Asia and Oceania
Australia
Bright - One of Australia’s best and most accessible flying sites. House thermals set you up for interesting XC routes from October to April and the southern winter flying is good too! Outlandings and retrieves are easy here.
Canungra - one of Australia’s top year-round paragliding and hang gliding sites, offers excellent XC potential with flights exceeding 500km, best flown in spring and autumn. With varied terrain, consistent thermals, and easy access to launches like Beechmont and Mount Tamborine, it’s a vibrant flying hub near the Gold Coast, making it ideal for long flights and outdoor adventure.
Manilla - Safe, easy and relaxing XC for all levels of pilot. Astroturfed launches for every wind direction. The weather is reliable and there are XC routes in all directions. October - April are most consistent.
Sydney - Several paragliding sites dot the northern beaches and western hills around Sydney, but it is Stanwell Park in the south that is most famous. Stanwell Park offers world class coastal flying along “a beautiful stretch” of coast between Sydney and Wollongong
India
Gangtok - Fly in October-November or February-March for breathtaking views of the Himalayas, including the towering Kanchenjunga, while soaring over a remote and culturally rich region near the borders of Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Nepal
Bandipur - Ridge-soaring with daily reliable winds and stunning views of the Himalayas, including 8,000m Makalu. Best flown from October to April, it’s perfect for big flights over lush jungles and as a peaceful stopover between Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Pokhara - Nepal’s paragliding hub, offers flights against the backdrop of the Himalayas, with smooth winter thermals from October to November and stronger XC conditions from March to April. With accessible launches like Sarangkot, stunning routes like the Korchon Circuit, and a laid-back adventure scene, it’s an ideal destination for pilots seeking epic mountain flying and warm Nepali hospitality.
Sirkot - Escape the crowds of Pokhara and explore this hidden gem southwest of the city, developed by Everest adventurer Babu Sunuwar, offering a resort and a spacious grassy launch. Best flown from October to December or February to May, it features thermic conditions, safe valley flying, and the unforgettable experience of soaring above misty Himalayan valleys at sunrise.
New Zealand
Queenstown - New Zealand's Queenstown Lakes region offers world-class paragliding with stunning alpine scenery, XC routes, and diverse flying experiences from accessible sites like Coronet Peak and Treble Cone. Best flown from November to March, it’s a must-visit for pilots seeking mountain adventures, reliable thermals, and a welcoming flying community.
Wanaka - Mountain flying with strong thermals, stunning views of glacier country, and XC potential to iconic peaks like Mount Cook. Best flown from January to March for consistent weather or October to November for more dynamic skies, it’s a must-visit for adventurous pilots seeking alpine flying.
Ready to plan your flying adventure? Let me know if you'd like help with itineraries, gear suggestions, or local flying conditions! Stay tuned for the April edition of our month-by-month guide to the best places to fly around the world.
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