Roldanillo – El Pico

El Pico is the launch local pilots fly most often at Roldanillo, in Colombia's Valle del Cauca, a few kilometers out along the road to La Tulia at around 1,847 m. On weekends and in high season, pilots typically organize a jeep straight to the takeoff; the rest of the time, a scheduled jeep runs to La Tulia from the transport terminal on the main square about every 40 minutes — ask the driver to drop you at the trailhead, then it's an easy 15-minute walk up. The site catches wind from north through southeast and south, giving it a wide flyable window. As at any serious flying site, standard safety gear applies: helmet, equipment in good condition, and a radio and phone for your own security. A strong tailwind tends to set in around early afternoon, so timing matters. Landing is flexible — near Roldanillo itself or in the town's stadium, with plenty of open fields available for pilots flying cross-country, and retrieval is easy since minibuses will stop anywhere along the road when flagged down.

Launch & conditions

A scheduled jeep to La Tulia leaves the main square's transport terminal roughly every 40 minutes; ask to be dropped at the trailhead for an easy 15-minute walk to launch. On weekends and in high season, pilots often organize a jeep straight to the takeoff instead.

Getting there & local rules

A few kilometers from Roldanillo along the road to La Tulia.

Local rules & hazards

Standard safety gear is expected here: helmet, equipment in good condition, and a radio and phone for your own security. A strong tailwind tends to set in during early afternoon, so plan your flight time around it.

Check conditions before you fly

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