La Paca

La Paca is a southwest-facing thermal and soaring site in the Murcia region of Spain, launching from around 1,008 m. Take-off is short, so pilots need to be ready to commit early; the ground there is a little rocky, and thin control lines want extra care against snags before laying out. The bright side is that the site is forgiving if a launch attempt doesn't go cleanly — there's room to abort and reset rather than being forced to commit blind. Getting to launch means driving a track in fair but rough condition; a low sedan struggles here, so an SUV or van is the safer choice. The landing field, simply called Aterrizaje, has slightly tall vegetation and rocky patches underfoot, so pilots should plan their approach and flare with that ground in mind rather than assuming a clean, mown field. With a southwest wind lining up, La Paca offers a straightforward soaring and thermal site for pilots comfortable managing a short take-off and a landing that needs a bit of care.

Launch & conditions

Take-off is short, so be ready to commit early. The ground is a little rocky, and thin lines need extra care against snags — but the site is forgiving if a launch attempt doesn't go well, with room to abort.

Getting there & local rules

The access track is in fair but rough condition — not recommended for a low sedan. An SUV or van handles it fine.

Check conditions before you fly

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