La Palma – Campanario

Campanario is a launch on La Palma in Spain's Canary Islands, taking off from 938 m into south, southwest, west or northwest wind, and set up for thermic and cross-country flying as well as hike-and-fly days. The takeoff is a sandy slope, with several wind streamers placed along it to help read the cycle before launching. Getting there means parking at the end of the paved road and then continuing on foot — reckon on roughly half an hour from where the tarmac ends to reach the ramp. The most important thing to know before flying here is airspace and access: the zone north of launch is closed airspace, and flying over the island's newer volcanic and lava fields is strictly prohibited, a rule that has real teeth given how visibly fresh that terrain is from the air. Landing brings its own restriction — as of 2023, landing at Puerto Naos is not allowed, so pilots need an alternative landing plan for that direction before they commit to a flight. Between the airspace closure and the landing restriction, this is a site where checking current rules before flying matters more than usual.

Launch & conditions

A sandy slope takeoff with several wind streamers placed along it to help read the cycle.

Getting there & local rules

Park at the end of the paved road, then continue on foot — about half an hour to the launch.

Local rules & hazards

The airspace north of launch is closed, and flying over the island's newer volcanic and lava fields is prohibited. As of 2023, landing at Puerto Naos is not allowed.

Check conditions before you fly

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