Las Cruces – Rute

Las Cruces – Rute is a versatile flying site above Rute in Córdoba province, southern Spain, launching at around 1,167 m and flyable in a wide range of wind directions — north, southeast, south, southwest and northwest — which gives it more flyable days than most single-aspect sites. It's good for thermals, ridge soaring and cross-country flying, and also works for hike-and-fly. Behind the ridge, the terrain opens into flatlands studded with olive trees, useful ground for a flatland landing if a flight runs long. To get there, head to Rute de las Cruces and take the road around the south side of the mountain; from a marked point on that road, a track climbs about 3 km up to the upper mountain area where launch is. With multiple wind directions covered, this is a site worth having on the list whenever the forecast doesn't cooperate elsewhere.

Getting there & local rules

From Rute de las Cruces, take the road around the south side of the mountain; from the marked point on that road, a track climbs about 3 km to the upper mountain area where launch is.

Check conditions before you fly

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