Santa Brigida

Santa Brigida in Girona province is a thermal-and-ridge site in the mid-Empordà, working best in SE and S sea-breeze regimes. In SW or W wind it sits in the lee of the higher mountains above Amer and is not recommended; in E winds the ridge is 'flushed' but the air stays smooth. The site is protected from the Tramontane (N), which makes it a workable option in strong northerlies elsewhere in Catalonia. Access is via a partly-asphalted, partly dirt road (~4 km) with a marked parking area — respect the local school's parking spots.

Launch & conditions

Thermal-ridge with SE and S breeze regimes. Not recommended in SW or W (lee of the mountains above Amer). E winds flush the ridge but stay non-turbulent. Protected from the north (Tramontane) — flying is still possible in northerlies.

Getting there & local rules

Asphalted road that turns to a rough 4 km dirt road up to the takeoff — parking is marked, respect the school's parking. There's also a hike-and-fly access from the left side of the Masia d'Amer via a path to the hermitage and takeoff (~25 min). Landing: official LZ on the bend of the road — small field, don't overshoot; watch for downdraught in wind and thermic hours. Fields before and parallel to it are alternates. Follow the info panels. Parking is being developed — for now park at the football field and walk up.

Local rules & hazards

No tandem flights or courses / commercial use permitted without arrangement. Free access for any pilot with valid insurance covering paragliding. Consult the info panels on site.

Check conditions before you fly

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