Morro do Cal

Morro do Cal sits about 30 km from Curitiba in Brazil's Parana state, at roughly 1,150 m, with enough takeoff options to cover every wind direction. A wide grass ramp handles north, north-east and north-west winds for two to three gliders at once; a smaller rocky ramp with artificial-grass covering takes south to south-west winds one glider at a time; and small mixed limestone-and-grass ramps cover east and west. The site is known for reliable thermal flying with mild turbulence, and landings can get bumpy during the thermic hours of the day, settling into smoother flying as the afternoon fades. Soaring conditions are uncommon here, but when the wind lines up they tend to last a long time. Getting there follows BR-277 toward Ponta Grossa, then a turn after Campo Largo's main church onto a cobbled street that becomes a 5 km dirt road, keeping left at every fork; the site sits on private property, about 30 km from the city, so it's worth arranging a ride with local pilots the first couple of times. The main landing field, a mowed lawn right in front of the north-facing ramps, is large, and the surrounding areas also offer good landing options.

Launch & conditions

A wide grass ramp handles north, north-east and north-west winds for two to three gliders at once. A smaller rocky ramp with artificial-grass covering takes south to south-west winds, one glider at a time, and small mixed limestone-and-grass ramps cover east and west.

Getting there & local rules

From Curitiba, follow BR-277 toward Ponta Grossa; after passing Campo Largo's main church, take the third overpass onto a cobbled street that turns into a 5 km dirt road, keeping left at every fork. The site is on private property, about 30 km from the city, so it's worth arranging a ride with local pilots for your first visit or two.

Local rules & hazards

This is a reliable thermal site with mild turbulence, though landings can get bumpy during the thermic hours and flights smooth out toward the end of the day; soaring conditions are rare but last a long time when they line up. The launch airspace connects into the wider Brazilian route network, useful for cross-country flights.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Morro do Cal, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Morro do Cal with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.