Mount Abu

Mount Abu, Rajasthan's only hill station, sits about 280 km south of Jodhpur and offers a serious flatland-XC potential that is largely underused because the local regulatory landscape is unclear. Two launches serve different seasons and wind directions. From March to October the site works on southwesterlies from a launch near Honeymoon Point on the Bailey's Track — a clear rock face at about 1,370 m (roughly 4,500 feet AGL), ideal for a clean pull-up. Thermals here are strong. From October to February the site switches to a northeast pattern from a launch near Guru Shikhar, with the LZ near Abu Road — but this take-off is tricky and requires permission that authorities are often unable to grant clearly. The Honeymoon Point launch is in a secluded spot; the local advice is to fly with a group or have someone at the take-off with you.

Launch & conditions

The Bailey's Track launch faces southwest and offers a clear rock surface, ideal for paragliders and equally usable by hang-gliders. Thermals are strong — respect them. The Guru Shikhar winter launch is tricky, requires permission from either the SDM Mount Abu or the CO at the Air Force station, and the rules for that permission are not clearly established. Verify before travelling to avoid a wasted trip.

Getting there & local rules

The Honeymoon Point launch is reached via 20 km of paved road from Abu Road up to the plateau; the retrieve from the LZ is about 60 km via Tartoli around the mountain. The main LZ for SW-wind flights is near Anadra village — the preferred spot is in front of the Bhairu Tarak Dham Jain temple (there is a tea stall nearby). For the winter Guru Shikhar launch, the LZ is near Abu Road, but permission is required before flying.

Check conditions before you fly

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