Chicamocha Canyon – Dos Ventanas

Dos Ventanas is the higher of the two well-known Chicamocha Canyon launches in Santander, Colombia, sitting at about 1,725 meters and facing west to northwest. It's set up as a large takeoff with several windsocks, and the extra altitude over its neighboring launch gives pilots a bit more room to work with for cross-country lines within the canyon's flyable zone. From Bucaramanga, budget 1.5 hours in easy traffic, though 2 hours or more is the realistic plan once you account for the mountain road. As with the rest of the canyon, timing is strict: be at launch by 10:00, fly the roughly 10:00–13:00 window, and don't expect calm air after that — the canyon's wind builds fast into the afternoon. The flyable airspace is bounded both laterally and by altitude ceiling, so XC here means working within a defined corridor rather than free-ranging cross-country, but that structure is part of what makes the canyon manageable for visiting pilots.

Launch & conditions

Large takeoff with several windsocks at about 1,725 m facing W/NW — the higher of the canyon's two main launches. On launch by 10:00; flying window roughly 10:00–13:00.

Getting there & local rules

From Bucaramanga, allow 1.5 hours in light traffic, but plan for 2 hours or more.

Local rules & hazards

The flyable area is bounded both sideways and in altitude, so XC here means working a defined corridor rather than ranging freely. Wind builds through the day, and landing in the canyon after 13:00 is not safe.

Check conditions before you fly

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