Kambar

Kambar is a ridge-soaring site above the road from Reykjavík to Selfoss, just before Hveragerði in southern Iceland, and it comes into its own in an easterly wind. Takeoff is a large grassy area right at the top of the cliff, reached via a short gravel track off the main road — you can park right at launch. Getting back up after a flight usually means arranging a driver to come collect you at the bottom, though walking the old road back to the top takes about an hour if no one's available. Airspace here is genuinely restrictive: the site sits underneath a controlled zone with a base of 3,000 ft AMSL (or 1,000 ft above ground, whichever is higher), extending 20 km east of takeoff and 30 km north, so flying over the nearby mountains means staying below 1,000 ft (305 m) above any terrain higher than 2,000 ft (610 m). Iceland's weather can turn very quickly, so check current conditions with local pilots before committing. Landing is flexible along the base of the cliff — aim to come down close to the road to keep the walk out short.

Launch & conditions

Takeoff is a large grassy area right at the top of the cliff, reached via a short gravel track off the main road — you can park right at launch.

Getting there & local rules

From Reykjavík, take road 1 toward Selfoss; just before Hveragerði, where the road starts downhill from its highest point, a small gravel track on the right leads to the cliff edge. Getting back up after flying usually means arranging a driver to collect you, or walking the old road back up in about an hour.

Local rules & hazards

This site sits underneath controlled airspace with a base of 3,000 ft AMSL (or 1,000 ft above ground, whichever is higher), extending 20 km east of takeoff and 30 km north — flying over the nearby mountains means staying below 1,000 ft (305 m) above any terrain higher than 2,000 ft (610 m). Iceland's weather can change very quickly, so check current conditions with local pilots before you commit.

Check conditions before you fly

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