Jabalcon (Zujar)

Jabalcón, above the town of Zújar near Baza in Granada province, is a variable site with several launches of quite different character — worth knowing before you commit to one. Only light wind conditions work here; anything strong makes the site unflyable. The northwest takeoff is the easiest of the three: large, open, and with no serious hazards beyond a set of masts behind launch — the ridge just to the right is known as a reliable thermal trigger. The south-facing takeoff has been cleared for paragliding but calls for a fully committed launch, since pilots tend to head straight toward the large rock face to its right. The east takeoff is the outlier: barely used, described locally as intimidating, with room for only one glider and a handful of steps to build speed. Reaching the hill is straightforward by car through Zújar, following the track up to where the northwest and south takeoffs sit on a sharp bend, with the east takeoff further along the same track. Wind from the east through south and from the northwest is all workable depending on which takeoff you use, at an altitude of around 1,334 m.

Launch & conditions

Three takeoffs of very different character: NW is large and easy with no real hazards beyond masts behind launch; S is cleared but needs a fully committed launch toward the rock face on its right; E is rarely used, intimidating, and fits only one glider with a handful of steps.

Getting there & local rules

Drive up through Zújar; the NW and S takeoffs sit on a sharp bend partway up the track, with the E takeoff further along the same road.

Local rules & hazards

Only light-wind days work at this site — it's not flyable in strong wind. Rough convergences can develop later in the day, so an earlier flight is the safer choice.

Check conditions before you fly

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