Fly XC in Algodonales

overview

These trips are ideal for intermediate and advanced paragliding pilots wanting to fly XC in Algodonales in a safe, fun, and with a supportive team of pilots. Pilots receive a robust introduction to Algodonales, specific technical guidance, daily group conversations and pilot debriefs. We fly routes based on the day's conditions, and pilots are retrieved along the way.
With flyamigo, you'll be flying with amigos.

why Algodonales

Algodonales is one of the most beautiful places to fly in Spain. This mountainous region is loved for its flying and hiking. And the cultural experience with the surrounding area, will leave you changed. Algodonales is a frequent site for competitions, including Paragliding World Club (PWC), but don't let that intimidate you: there is fun flying to be had by all levels of pilots.
Algodonales has launches facing all directions.
For those wanting to hike-and-fly, there's a well established trail leading to all three main launches. Leave your kit in the van, or take it with you. It's just over an hour hike to the top.
If you're bringing a partner, there are so many beautiful places to visit. Within a fifteen minute drive, there are the beautiful white towns of Zaharra de la Sierra, El Gastor, and Olvera. Within an hour drive you can visit Sevilla, Malaga, and Ronda. And Spain is at the foothills of the rest of Europe, so many people continue their journey to Barcelona, Madrid, or Paris.

what's included

• Pre-trip online briefing (everything you need to know to have a successful time in Algodonales): waypoints, introduction to geography, XC routes, known landing areas, prohibited landing areas, hazards, safety recommendations, instrumentation for live tracking, insurance recommendations, etc.
• Private shuttle from/to Malaga airport (AGP)
• Accommodations (private room in a clean Spanish apartment)
• Rides to launch
• XC routes based on the day's conditions
• Premium group tracking software leveraging your existing instrumentation (e.g. FlySkyHy, Naviter, Inreach, etc.)
• Efficient retrieves
• Team XC flying (when appropriate, depends on pilot experience)
• Trip guide that is fluent in English & Spanish, and has been flying in Algodonales for over a decade
• Pilot-specific, in-the-air XC guiding (optional for an additional charge)
• Immeasurable stoke from flying Valle with like-minded pilots!

Not included is airfare, food, health & travel insurance, specific instruction towards ratings, and paragliding equipment (wing, helmet, radio, vario, etc.).

trip dates

The best XC seasons for Algodonales are: March/April, and September/October. Algodonales is very flyable almost all year round, with the exception of July and August, when the conditions aren't great and the heat is exhausting.

• Fri Sept 18 - Sun Sept 27, 2026 (OPEN, accepting signups)
• Fri Oct 2 - Sun Oct 11, 2026 (OPEN, accepting signups)

pilot experience required

Pilots must be comfortable launching on their own. Pilots from all over the world are welcome to join the fun, with the ability to communicate in English or Spanish a must.

pre-trip briefing

We'll hold an online pilot briefing a few weeks prior to the trip start date, where you'll meet the other pilots joining the adventure, we'll review Algodonales's geography using Google Earth, share waypoints, review specific XC tasks that we've defined, known landing areas, and any prohibited landing areas. We'll also review the live tracking technologies that we'll use on the trip, including all communications that we plan to leverage (Whatsapp, radio, GPS devices).

trip logistics

We handle all logistics. The trip dates include travel days, so you should arrive at the Malaga airport (AGP) on the start date of the trip, no later than 4 PM local time. We'll take the private shuttle from the airport to Algodonales, which is about 1.5 hrs.
We'll drive to launch together every day, and we'll have a personal driver to perform retrieves.
Your departure flight from AGP should be on the last day of the trip. We'll leave very early, and your airline departure time should not be before 9 AM.
For anyone having to deviate from these travel times or airports, we'll help you make alternate arrangements.

where we stay

We'll stay right in the heart of the Algodonales pueblo. This town is full of pilots from all over the world. We have several locations that we choose from, all are clean and not extravagant. If you're looking to stay at a grand hotel, we can't help you, they don't exist in Algodonales!

trip guide

Lucas Soler has been flying Algodonales since 2014, where he learned to fly. Lucas is an USHPA P4 rated pilot, with 500+ hrs of airtime. He'll choose flying XC with buddies any day, over pursuing personal distance records alone.
Born in Spain, Lucas has lived in the United States for over four decades, and speaks both English and Spanish natively. Lucas will share local knowledge on XC routes, landing options, where to get the best cafe con leche and the most refreshing tinto de verano (sangria type beverage).

cost

XC trip is $1,400 USD. Join two sessions back-to-back, and we'll discount $400 on the second session.
Payments are non-refundable unless a suitable replacement is found for your spot. Please see our Refund Policy accessible at the footer of this page.

the sign up process

1. Submit the Sign Up form (or use button below)
2. We'll reach out to answer questions and collect the fee
3. You'll receive an invitation for the online pre-session briefing about two months prior to the trip start