Pico Muelas – Boniar

Pico Muelas–Boñar is a mountain site in León with two launches close together — a south-facing one you reach first, and a southwest-facing option a little further along — both oriented to catch the area's prevailing south and west winds. Conditions turn genuinely strong in summer, so this isn't a lazy-afternoon site once the season heats up. Landing is at the base of the mountain, near a small bridge where most pilots leave their cars; the field is flanked by a recently installed high-voltage line and a pine-covered hillside, both worth keeping firmly in mind on approach. If you find yourself sinking out short of the top, there's a small plateau just below launch where a second takeoff is possible. Flying south is off-limits here — it runs straight into León's controlled airspace (CTR León, LELN) — so plan any cross-country line accordingly.

Launch & conditions

There are two launches close together: a south-facing one first, then a southwest-facing option a short distance further on — both catch the area's prevailing south and west winds well. If you sink out short of the top, a small plateau just below launch offers a second takeoff option.

Getting there & local rules

Pico Muelas sits at km 145 on the C-626 between Boñar and La Vecilla. Coming from Boñar toward La Vecilla, pass through La Mata de la Riba, and about 1.5km further you'll see a Roman-style bridge on the right crossing the FEVE railway — this bridge leads to the landing area, marked with a windsock, where most pilots park. Watch for a recently installed high-voltage line near the landing and avoid the pine forest on the hillside.

Local rules & hazards

Don't fly south from here — it runs into León's controlled airspace (CTR León, LELN). Conditions get genuinely strong in summer, so treat this as a site that demands more respect once the season heats up.

Check conditions before you fly

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