dos d\'ane

Dos d'Âne is a thermal site above the Rivière des Galets on Réunion's west coast, with the walk to launch built right into the local experience — pilots climb about 40 minutes on foot from the village up to the church at Dos d'Âne, and most stop at the paragliding-decorated bakery along the way to try Macatia, the local specialty bread. Launch sits at about 900m. The flying itself takes some local knowledge: a northerly wind pushes you to the lee side of the ridge as you climb toward Rivière des Galets, sea breeze off the coast can build unexpectedly strong during a flight, and heavy thermal days bring a real venturi effect and turbulence funneling through the river gorge below — this is not a site to push in strong conditions. Landing options are flexible: the riverbed itself, several football pitches around Rivière des Galets and La Possession, or, for pilots who climb high enough, a scenic touchdown further south near Tour des Roches. The ground around most landings tends to be soft and spongy, so plan your approach with that in mind.

Launch & conditions

Launch sits at about 900m, reached by a roughly 40-minute walk up from the village of Rivière des Galets to the church at Dos d'Âne — most pilots stop at the paragliding-decorated bakery along the way for Macatia, the local bread specialty.

Getting there & local rules

From Rivière des Galets, climb toward the church at Dos d'Âne (about 40 minutes on foot); a local bus also runs up to the village from near the bakery. From the village, go down the paved road, then take the dirt track on the right for about ten minutes to reach launch. Landing is flexible: the riverbed of the Rivière des Galets itself, several football pitches around Rivière des Galets or La Possession, or — for pilots with enough altitude — a scenic option further south near Tour des Roches. Ground around most landings tends to be soft and spongy, so plan your approach accordingly.

Local rules & hazards

A northerly wind pushes you onto the lee side of the ridge as you climb toward Rivière des Galets, so treat it with caution, and watch for sea breeze building unexpectedly strong over the coast during a flight. Avoid flying here in heavy thermal conditions — the river gorge below produces a real venturi effect and turbulence.

Check conditions before you fly

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