Nandi Hills

Nandi Hills sits about 70 km due north of Bangalore in Karnataka, India, at roughly 1,450 m, with five separate launch sites covering wind from south, south-east, south-west, north, north-east and north-west. The south launch is a rocky cliff take-off, the south-east launch a large grassy slope, the south-west launch tighter and more technical, the north-east launch grassy with rocky outcrops, and the north-west launch - on the neighbouring Nandi-2 hill - a vast, gentle grassy slope that's also top-landable. The flying season runs October to May; pilots are encouraged to fly conservatively and match the conditions to their own skill level rather than the site's easiest launch. Getting there is straightforward by car or taxi, by government bus from Bangalore, or by train to Nandi railway station followed by a short autorickshaw ride. Landing options are plentiful across open fields around the hills, with designated landing zones set up for easy retrieval, but power lines and fences need watching for, and crop fields are off-limits for landing.

Launch & conditions

Five separate launches cover every wind direction: south is a rocky cliff take-off, south-east a large grassy slope, south-west tighter and more technical, north-east grassy with rocky outcrops, and north-west - on the neighbouring Nandi-2 hill - a vast, gentle, top-landable grassy slope.

Getting there & local rules

Nandi Hills is about 70 km due north of Bangalore, reachable by car or taxi, by government bus from the city, or by train to Nandi railway station followed by a short autorickshaw ride up.

Local rules & hazards

The flying season runs October to May; fly conservatively and match the conditions to your own skill level rather than the site's easiest launch. Landing fields are plentiful around the hills with designated zones for easy retrieval, but watch for power lines and fences, and avoid landing in crop fields.

Check conditions before you fly

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