Sopetrán

Sopetrán is a thermal and cross-country site in the Valley of Tonusco, in Colombia's Antioquia department. Launch sits at 1,429 m and works on west and northwest wind, and it has a strong local reputation — pilots call it one of the best takeoffs in Antioquia. It's a wide, obstacle-free grass field where a good headwind lets you launch comfortably through most of the day, and there's a reliable house thermal that tends to form right out in front of launch. The valley's heat pushes thermals unusually high, so it's a genuine option for long cross-country flights on a good day. The main landing is a large, official field, though tall trees in front of it make the approach trickier than it looks. Alternative landing options exist nearby, but much of the surrounding land is private, so pick carefully to avoid landing on someone's property.

Launch & conditions

Launch is a wide grass field with no obstacles, taking a good headwind for most of the day — one of the better takeoffs in Antioquia. A house thermal tends to sit right out in front of it.

Check conditions before you fly

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