MAKES

Les Makes launches from the Cirque des Makes above Saint-Louis on the west coast of Réunion, with two takeoff options at roughly 1,400 and 2,000 metres depending on cloud cover that day. Conditions here tend to be mild but can cloud over quickly, which is worth watching given the site's altitude and exposure. The site is a good base for cross-country flying, with crossings possible in both directions along the coast — it's a relatively easy connection to reach the west coast near Saint-Leu by following the ridgeline. Access is by road up to the Makes Observatory, then a forest road leading to either of the two takeoff points. The official landing ground sits at the foot of the cirque cliff, visible from the 1,400-metre takeoff, near a pond in the Les Platanes area on the seaward side of the village as you look toward the coast. Réunion's mountainous, quick-changing weather rewards pilots who keep a close eye on cloud development rather than committing to a long crossing on a marginal-looking day.

Launch & conditions

Two takeoff options, at roughly 1,400 and 2,000 metres, chosen on the day depending on cloud cover.

Getting there & local rules

Drive up the road to the Makes Observatory, then continue on the forest road to either the 1,400 m or 2,000 m takeoff.

Local rules & hazards

Conditions are often mild here but can cloud over quickly, so keep a close eye on cloud development, especially before committing to a coastal crossing. Crossings are possible both north and south along the coast, and reaching the west coast near Saint-Leu by following the ridge is relatively straightforward on a good day.

Check conditions before you fly

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