La Lastra del Cano

La Lastra del Cano is one of Spain's classic Sierra de Gredos flying sites, historically the launching point of a wave of national distance records and — three times over — the European distance record. The takeoff is a grassy clearing in a big pine forest, thick with the smell of wild lavender and thyme, looking straight out at the Gredos range and the Tormes river far below. When the wind is too strong from the south for the anabatic to fire at nearby Peña Negra, La Lastra comes into its own: unless you launch early, mid-day conditions can quickly become too strong to take off. Evenings usually lighten and give beautifully smooth ridge lift, sometimes topped by usable wave from the Gredos in front. The face is steep, cut with granite fingers and ledges where Griffon Vultures nest, and vultures are almost always in the air with you here.

Launch & conditions

Grassy south-facing launch at 1,625 m ASL, 500 m top-to-bottom. A second, west-facing launch exists below the fire watchtower but is unusable during much of the season because of nesting Black Vultures.

Getting there & local rules

From in front of the village bar in Lastra del Cano, take the forestry track — after 400 m a gate may be closed by the fire watchtower staff. The main (south) launch is about 4 km along the track.

Local rules & hazards

Flying is restricted until August because of nesting Black Vultures — respect the closure. On light days when Peña Negra is also working the wind will come on there too; on strong southerlies the anabatic can get very strong very early. La Lastra is a spine-back ridge — going 'over the back' is easy: land in the big fields along the N-110 highway to the north.

Check conditions before you fly

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