Apìa, El Zarzo

Apía, El Zarzo launches from 1,876 m in Colombia's coffee-growing hills, with the surrounding slopes thick with coffee plantations as far as you can see. There are two takeoffs close together at the top, working northeast and east wind for thermic, cross-country and hike-and-fly flying. Getting up there typically means a jeep ride at 9 a.m. from the north side of the central plaza, heading uphill from town. The timing of the day matters here: a katabatic wind sets in by 2 p.m. at the latest, so pilots plan to be over the flats or the east side of the valley by then rather than still working the higher terrain. For landing, there are two main options — the village soccer field near the cemetery, or a spot downhill near Viterbo by the sport fishing area, with a bus back toward Virginia and on to Apía, or a jeep from the Viterbo plaza at 4 p.m. if the timing works out.

Launch & conditions

Two takeoffs sit close together at the top of the site.

Getting there & local rules

A jeep typically runs at 9 a.m. from the north side of the central plaza, heading uphill to launch.

Local rules & hazards

Katabatic wind kicks in by 2pm at the latest — plan to be flying over the flats or the east side of the valley by then. If you bomb out early, the safest landing is usually near the riverbed in the valley southwest of takeoff, where there are ample open meadows.

Check conditions before you fly

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