Roldanillo – Los Tanques

Los Tanques, above Roldanillo in Colombia's Valle del Cauca, is one of the country's established thermal and cross-country launches at around 1,700 m — serious flatland-XC territory, not a casual tandem hill. The grass takeoff holds more than ten wings at once and has a toilet, but no food or drinks on site, so bring your own. From the road, it's a steep flight of stairs up to launch; locals often help carry gear for a small fee. By car, plan on roughly an hour from Roldanillo plus a 14 km climb into the mountains, on a road that runs all the way to launch. Northeast, east and southeast winds feed the site. Landing takes some local knowledge: the valley-floor 'Stadium' works most of the day, but a turbulent west wind tends to arrive after around 2pm and the ground can be closed, so many pilots use 'la pista' — an alternative field beside the Zarzal–Roldanillo road — as the safer late-afternoon option, with easy transport back into town either way. As at any serious XC site, fly it with a rating, glider and gear that match the conditions.

Launch & conditions

The grass takeoff holds 10+ wings and has a toilet but no food or drinks; a steep staircase leads up from the road, and locals often carry gear up for a small fee.

Getting there & local rules

About an hour from Roldanillo plus a 14 km mountain climb, on a road that goes all the way to launch.

Local rules & hazards

Fly with a helmet, reserve parachute, radio and a glider matched to your level — standard practice at this site. The valley-floor 'Stadium' landing zone gets turbulent from an afternoon west wind after roughly 2pm and may be closed, so many pilots switch to the 'la pista' field beside the Zarzal–Roldanillo road late in the day.

Check conditions before you fly

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