Las Mallolas

Las Mallolas in Catalonia is a small hilltop launch marked by a stone cross next to a wind farm, above the Anoia plain. It's mostly a May-to-October site, working best in the late-afternoon sea breeze; a southerly meteo wind can make it work at other times of year, but less reliably. Easy to spot from far away because of the turbines. Top-landing is possible and recommended (approach clockwise around launch — see below); if not, land on the dirt road 200 m below.

Launch & conditions

Pretty straightforward launch, but reverse-launch is mandatory. Beware of small bushes when pre-inflating. Fly with S or SW wind. Wind can be too strong to fly.

Getting there & local rules

From Barcelona, take the A2 towards Lleida. After Igualada, exit 545 to Calaf (turn left just after the exit). After a while you'll climb the ridge with all the windmills — at the top, on your right, take the dirt road until you see a small stone cross on the edge of the hill; the takeoff is there, park near the windmill. Landings: top-landing recommended — approach from the west (windmills on your left), fly over the takeoff (should be on your right), U-turn and land. No turbulence, usually easy. If not enough wind for top-landing, land on the dirt road 200 m below (visible from the cross).

Local rules & hazards

Due to the top-landing approach, priorities at Las Mallolas are REVERSED — you must give priority to the pilot who has terrain on the left. Wind can get too strong to fly.

Check conditions before you fly

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