Niton

Niton launches from just under 3,000 m in the Ecuadorian Andes, near Pelileo, and flies with wind from the southeast and south. The ridge here has a well-defined daily rhythm: thermals build through the late morning, roughly between 10 a.m. and noon, then the site switches to dynamic ridge lift from mid-afternoon onward, giving two distinct windows to plan a flight around. The ridge itself runs about three kilometres, described locally as clean and free of rotor, which makes it a good option for pilots looking to fly a long soarable line rather than just working one thermal. Takeoff is generous: a large, clear natural-grass slope of around 700 square metres with an easygoing angle, so there's plenty of room to lay out and launch without feeling rushed. Getting there means a short stretch of unpaved road from Pelileo, in the Tambo sector, about 4 km, accessible to any kind of vehicle. Between the terrain, the altitude and the long ridge, it suits thermalling, ridge soaring, cross-country and hike-and-fly alike.

Launch & conditions

Takeoff is a large, clear natural-grass slope of about 700 square metres with an easy, ideal angle; plenty of room to rig and launch calmly.

Getting there & local rules

Reached via a short unpaved road (around 4 km) from Pelileo, in the Tambo sector; accessible to any type of vehicle.

Check conditions before you fly

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