Morro do Diabo (Sao Vendelino)

Morro do Diabo launches above the small town of Sao Vendelino in Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul, a valley settled by German immigrants and still visibly shaped by that heritage. The grassy summit takeoff is wide enough for three pilots to launch at once, facing south, west and east quadrants, and is reached by an 11 km unpaved but well-maintained road from the village. Good flying conditions hold most of the year, best in summer, when a south wind typically builds through the evening and often allows soaring and top-landing back at launch. In winter, when winds swing north, pilots use a separate takeoff near a nearby hill instead. The whole valley below is landable, including an official grass landing field with parking, a small hotel and other facilities nearby. The main takeoff perimeter falls inside a NOTAM area, so check current airspace notices before flying. Wind directions from south-east through south, south-west and west all work here for thermalling, ridge soaring and cross-country.

Launch & conditions

The main summit takeoff is a large grassed area big enough for three simultaneous launches, facing south, west or east depending on the wind. A smaller takeoff sits a short walk away for west-wind days, and there's a separate alternative launch near a nearby hill used when winds come from the north in winter.

Getting there & local rules

From the village of Sao Vendelino, an 11 km unpaved but well-kept road climbs directly to the summit takeoff, passing close to two major highways visible from the top. The valley below is landable almost everywhere, with an official grass landing field that has parking, food and a small hotel nearby.

Local rules & hazards

The takeoff perimeter lies inside a NOTAM area, so check current airspace notices before flying. Conditions are good most of the year and best in summer, when an evening south wind often lets pilots soar and land back at takeoff; expect to switch to the alternate northern takeoff when winds turn to the north in winter.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Morro do Diabo (Sao Vendelino), 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 Diabo (Sao Vendelino) with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.