Matasanos (Barbosa)

Matasanos (Barbosa) launches at about 2,183 m above the Aburra valley in Colombia's Antioquia department, with reliable thermals that reach cloudbase easily and support long cross-country flights - an easy run south toward Medellin is a common goal. The grassy takeoff is wide and flat, right beside a small restaurant, and launching is straightforward with a good headwind. Getting there from Medellin means taking a bus from the northern bus terminal toward Don Matias, getting off at Alto de Matasanos and asking locally for the 'voladero' (launch site); the last stretch to takeoff is a short walk. Valley wind builds through the day as thermals develop and is not usually dangerous, though east winds can generate turbulence in the valley and electric lines run along some of the slopes, so keep a lookout for them. The official landing sits right beside the village of Barbosa, a wide, flat, obstacle-free field - but a river crosses the landing area and wind can be strong there, so plan the approach carefully. Anyone flying cross-country toward Medellin should check current airspace rules near the city's airport before setting off.

Launch & conditions

The grassy takeoff is wide and flat, right beside a small restaurant, and launching is straightforward with a good headwind. There's also simple food and overnight lodging available right at launch.

Getting there & local rules

From Medellin, take a bus from the northern bus terminal toward Don Matias, get off at Alto de Matasanos, and ask locally for the 'voladero' (launch site) - it's a short walk from there to takeoff.

Local rules & hazards

East winds can generate turbulence in the valley, and electric lines run along some of the slopes, so keep a lookout for them; valley wind builds through the day with thermal activity but isn't usually dangerous. The landing field beside Barbosa is wide and flat, but a river crosses it and wind there can be strong, so plan the approach carefully - and anyone flying cross-country toward Medellin should check current airspace rules near the city's airport first.

Check conditions before you fly

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