- The most consistent flying site in the world.
- Mountain, flatland and convergence lift.
- November to February for PG, into March for HG
- A beautiful lakeside town to chill in
WHY GO?
Here, if anywhere, you’re guaranteed top-quality flying.
WHERE IS IT?
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
In season, every day in Valle is flyable, giving you a variety of mountain, flatland and convergence lift to fill your boots with. A chilled lakeside bar will nourish your sky-shrivelled body and mind after you land. Valle has been the site of many top-class international competitions for very good reasons.
Valle de Bravo is a picturesque lakeside town west of Mexico City. Pilots and tourists flock to this winter paradise from December to March to take advantage of the amazingly consistent weather. The town swells every weekend with the Mexico City elite, there to take advantage of the wealth of outdoor sports and pumping nightlife.
El Penon, the main launch, is a 45-minute drive from town and starts working as early as 11am. There’s a witching hour, depending on the day, when take-off becomes unruly. However, like clockwork the valley cools as the sun fades, and patient pilots are rewarded with glorious evening glass-offs.
There’s a great ridge soaring site directly above the lakeside landing zone called La Torre. The original free flight site used by hang gliders in the late seventies is a steep ramp, which is flyable almost every afternoon and needs only 12km/h of westerly wind.
FLYING CONDITIONS
Valle serves up a bit of everything: pumping mountain thermals kick off proceedings, before you transition to classic plateau convergence flying and flat land crossings. Your day culminates at the lakeside landing zone, conveniently located close to the town centre.
WHEN TO GO
November to February for PGs, January to March for HGs.
ALTITUDE
Cloudbase: 3,500m
Launch: 2,340m
Landing: 1,790m
HANG GLIDER ACCESS
Both El Penon and La Torre are reached by car and suitable for hang gliders. Hang glider manufacturer Wills Wing moved to Valle de Bravo from California in 2021 and there is a strong local community of HG pilots.
MUST BE FLOWN
The Valle convergence: from El Penon hop to the G-spot and gain enough height to cross the valley to the Three Kings. Take this line to the Divasedero turnpoint, then follow the convergence line back across the mesa to the Monarch butterfly winter nesting area above the town of Saucos.
The convergence needs a chance to set up so launch early, but wait until after 12:30 pm before you head off. After you’ve taken in the views of Nevada Toluca, return to the lake through the mountains and use Cerro Gordo to gain the necessary altitude for your victory glide to the cold beer waiting for you in the town landing zone.
DANGERS AND ANNOYANCES
Launch conditions can blow out once the midday heat overwhelms the valley floor. Avoid the saddle behind El Penon at all costs. Many fields have hidden power lines. Watch out for crowded air, especially around the house thermals of the G-spot and the Crazy Thermal Place.
Pilots must register at www.clubpenon.org before flying.
ACCOMMODATION
From palatial Mexican estates replete with maids and cooks to Spartan “posada” digs.
GUIDES AND COURSES
There’s no shortage of guides in Valle, and several respected US schools go there every year. Try www.paraglidingmexico.com www.eagleparagliding.com, www.superflyinc.com, www.flymexico.com, or Raoul Carvalho.
EXPERT’S OPINION
“Arguably the best place in the world to fly! Quality flying guaranteed!” Russell Ogden – FAI Paragliding World Champion.
TAKE THE FAMILY
It’s a great family holiday location in a quaint Mexican town. Play on the lake, swim in pools, hike in the mountains or visit a butterfly sanctuary to see the hundreds of thousands of Monarch butterflies that migrate there every year.
RAINY DAYS
You’re unlikely to have any.
WEATHER INFO
If it’s not raining it’s flyable.
GETTING THERE
Toluca is the nearest airport, from which taxis transfer you to Valle. Mexico City is an hour and a half further east, with daily buses from the central bus terminal. Or organise a pickup from one of the local operators in Valle who’ll await you at either airport – it’s the cost-effective option for groups.
