Los Verdes

Los Verdes is a cross-country launch on Chile's northern desert coast, used mainly as a jump-off point for XC flights back to Iquique — flying home to IQQ is the classic way to use this site. The takeoff itself is large, with a windsock in place to help you read conditions before committing, and it works across a decent spread of directions: north, southwest, west and northwest all fly here. Getting there is the tricky part: it's about 1.5 hours by road from Iquique, but the route itself is confusing enough that going with local pilots — or being genuinely prepared to get a bit lost — is the honest advice from people who fly it regularly. Once you're set up, the appeal is clear: a proper XC line across desert terrain back toward the city, at about 777 meters of launch altitude. The one rule that matters more than any other here: the site sits close to Iquique's airport, so never fly over the highway to the west of the site — that airspace is off-limits and pilots are expected to respect it without exception.

Launch & conditions

Takeoff is large with a windsock on site, at about 777 m, working across N, SW, W and NW.

Getting there & local rules

About 1.5 hours by road from Iquique — the route is confusing enough that going with local pilots, or being prepared to get lost, is realistic advice.

Local rules & hazards

This site sits close to Iquique's airport — never fly over the highway to the west of the site, that airspace is strictly off-limits.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Los Verdes, 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 Los Verdes with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.