Hang Glide Famara
Hang Gliding in Famara, Lanzarote
This years 2012 Lanzarote hang gliding open contest started on the 5th of December and ended on the 11th of December.
The apartment in Famara is perfect accommodation for visitors to the event. The 2012 Open Canarias Hang Gliding contest had three good flying days all in Mala. Goals were set in San Bartolome and Playa Quemada.
To see a great hang gliding in Lanzarote video on the cliffs of Famara click this link
Lanzarote, and in particular Famara are famous as the best winter hang gliding and paragliding destination in Europe.
There are hang gliding sites all over Lanzarote for almost every wind direction. The best flying is to be had when the winds turn between North and West when the famous Famara hang gliding ridge run is working. The ridge run starts in Teguise a few kilometers behind the above picture and finishes beyond the very last volcanoe you can see in the picture. The views are truly stunning and you can see both sides of the island for most of the flight. There are plenty of landing options for most of the flight, however a few kilometres of the ridge have sea at the bottom (you can see this in the middle distance).
The Famara ridge run
Hang Glider pilots can take off from either the high take off (locally known as Chimidas) or the lower take off at the beginning of the ridge close to the village of Teguise. The high take off is the easier flying option but you cannot top land there due to rotor effects from the steep cliff. The lower take off is top landable and on a good day, or in stronger wind conditions, is the better option, there is even a landing field below if you overshoot. The perfect day being to get there are rig right next to your car. Walk with glider the 30 metres to take off point which overlooks the majestic planes out in front with sea in distance. Take off and get into a nice thermal to about 150 metres above take off. With this height you will be able to start your flight and get over the first obststical of an electric cable pylon, the cable is about 50 metres above take off. Once past the pylon you glide over a less steep slope which normall has some nice thermals triggered from rougher terrain lower down. The next obstacle is a larger valley (baranco) to fly across before hitting the first steeper cliffs and more consistent thermal sources. It is nice to start the 80 metre glide across this valley with a bit of height, normally you want to be at least looking down on the top of the higher ground on the other side. On better days or with patience you will have plenty of height before getting to this point and have no problems. On more marginal days or when the wind is further to the right (north north east) you may have to scratch a little. Once across you should get up ok.
Now you will be passing the higher take off (Chimidas) and probably seeing everyone rigging or taking off here. You should easily be able to get to cloud base here and be all set for the rest of the run. One last obstacle to get over now. The next obstacle is a large valley that can have rotor further into it. It is about 3 km further along from the high,
Chimidas, take off. Depending on how to the right or North East the wind is dictates how far it is safe to go into this valley before jumping over to the main vertical cliff section behind the beach. You can see this valley in the photo above starting just behind the houses on the beach. Once you get as much height as you can fly well clear of any potential rotor. Normally not much height is lost on this glide then when you reconnect with the awesome vertical cliff section the lift is beautiful smooth steady air back up to cloud base. Fly along the section of cliff behind the beach then check the wind direction by flying back a few hundred metres and checking your ground speed. The normal winds mean you get back faster then your outward flight. Then you can just relax and enjoy the fantastic scenary of the Mirador del Rio as you fly to the very northern tip of Lanzarote and the small lighthouse on the rocks past Orzola. The lighthouse can be your turn point then its the home ward leg. Normally the wind will be more from behind now and the outward leg obstacles will be no problem as they are all approached from plenty of height. You will probably arrive back over your car with plenty of height. Just decide if you want to top or bottom land. Once you know the approach the top landing can be the easiest as there is normally no rotor and a nice wind to make a very smooth touch down with no flare necessary. And that is it. The perfect Lanzarote flight taking off and landing right next to your car. Another nice option is landing on the beach for another smooth approach with no thermals.
Our bungalow in Famara
is located at the foot of the Famara cliffs and is an ideal location for your Lanzarote hang gliding or paragliding holiday. From the bungalow to the Famara ridge run take off is only a fifteen minute drive and after you can even land on the beach only a few minutes walk from your accommodation.
Picture looking down on the Teguise castle
