El Toro Bull Hill

El Toro (Bull Hill) launches from 800 m near Manzanillo on Mexico's Pacific coast, working south, southwest and west wind for thermic, soaring and cross-country flying. Reaching the top takes a real vehicle — a truck with good traction is recommended, since parts of the road are steep and sandy rather than a simple drive-up. The main takeoff sits just east of the T-intersection at the summit, below the antennas, and there's a second option facing north at the helipad higher up, near the western antennas — useful when the wind direction calls for it. Getting there means driving north from Manzanillo to La Central, then finding a sand road heading east off the highway at the north end of town; stay on that road through a black metal gate and continue on the main track all the way to the top. Cattle graze along this road, so gates need to be closed behind you as you pass through. Once airborne, there's real airspace to respect: a control zone sits about 5 km north of the antennas, and an airway between Manzanillo and Colima airports runs from 4,000 to 18,000 feet, so it's worth checking current restrictions before planning anything beyond a local flight.

Launch & conditions

The main takeoff is just east of the summit T-intersection, below the antennas; a second, north-facing option sits at the helipad higher up near the west antennas.

Getting there & local rules

Drive north from Manzanillo to La Central, then take the sand road heading east off the highway; go through a black metal gate and stay on the main track to the top. Close gates behind you — cattle graze along the road. A truck with good traction is recommended for the steep, sandy sections.

Local rules & hazards

There's controlled airspace (ZLO) about 5 km north of the antennas, and an airway running between Manzanillo and Colima airports from 4,000 to 18,000 feet ASL — worth checking current airspace before flying cross-country from here.

Check conditions before you fly

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