Cirium (Kourion)

Kourion (Cirium) has been Cyprus's main soaring site since the dawn of local flying — a short coastal ridge at the end of a long line of cliffs east of Avdimou village. It is also archeologically sensitive: Greek ruins sit at both the top and bottom of the ridge, and the beach itself is a summer tourist magnet, giving the flying activity here a high public profile. Kourion works on southwesterly sea breeze. When the wind is SW the whole ridge soars and the air is smooth, with a few thermals coming up from the boulder-and-sand faces on hotter days. Two launches are used: the Armpit (the easier and most-used, but not on westerly wind when turbulence spikes) and the Lower Sand Pit (used in stronger conditions or when a new pilot wants a less vigorous launch breeze). The main hazards are getting blown back over the road, power lines and obvious rotor. And, always, the antiquities: fly with respect.

Launch & conditions

The Armpit launch is the easier of the two and the most often used, best when the flow is SW. Do NOT use it on westerly wind — turbulence gets strong. The Lower Sand Pit is the backup: better in stronger wind or for a lighter launch cycle. Sea breezes can build quickly. Rule of thumb: at the first sign of white waves on the sea surface, land quickly. If the wind feels too strong to fly, it is.

Getting there & local rules

From Episkopi village west of Limassol, take the coast road a short distance until it meets the sea. The launches are reached by taking the coast road up the hill and turning into the Armpit launch at the top. The LZ is the beach directly out from the sandpit launches. Land on the ridge side of the beach road — the beach itself is a tourist draw with drivers who invade the approach corridor and stop to watch. The large field off the end of the ridge is NOT to be used — it aggravates the local landowners with goats and horses, and community relations are part of keeping the site open.

Check conditions before you fly

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