Pico del caballo

Pico del Caballo launches from around 2,836 m in the Sierra Nevada, southern Spain, and it's a serious hike-and-fly undertaking — reaching launch from the Sierra Nevada ski resort means a 5- to 6-hour trek via Borreguiles, the Laguna de las Yeguas, El Cartujo and Tajos Altos before arriving at the takeoff itself, which sits right at the summit or on a large flat area just below it. The reward for that effort is one of the longer glides available in the range, over 15 km on a good flight, with genuinely striking scenery — on a clear day pilots have reported seeing as far as Morocco, both from the top and during the flight itself. Wind needs to be calm or only light from the west for a safe launch, and the thermals develop best after midday, with the strongest, most reliable lift generally showing up during winter rather than summer. Given how long and remote the approach is, there's a basic shelter just below the summit that pilots can use if bad weather forces an unplanned night on the mountain — a detail worth knowing before committing to this route.

Launch & conditions

Launch is at the summit, around 2,836 m, or on a large flat area just below it.

Getting there & local rules

From the Sierra Nevada ski resort, a 5- to 6-hour hike via Borreguiles, the Laguna de las Yeguas, El Cartujo and Tajos Altos.

Local rules & hazards

There's a basic shelter just below the summit that can be used if bad weather forces you to spend the night — worth knowing given how remote and long the approach is.

Check conditions before you fly

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