Colombia, with its diverse landscapes and perfect climate conditions, has become a hotspot for paragliding fanatics from around the globe. Among all the flying sites you can find across Colombia, two stand out prominently: Roldanillo and Piedechinche. Both offer unique experiences and challenges for a wide range of pilots, from beginners to advanced pilots. There are pilots that will swear on Roldanillo and there are pilots that love the tranquillidad of Piedechinche. Let's take a closer take a look at what every of those sites has to offer - Roldanillo vs. Piedechinche
Roldanillo: Demanding XC Flights
Located on the western side of the Valle de Cauca, Roldanillo is known as THE one flying site in Colombia. Its reputation precedes it, as it's where Colombian long-distance records are set and numerous paragliding competitions are held. The site's best feature is its excellent potential for long-distance flights, making it a magnet for ambitious pilots seeking to push their limits.
However, Roldanillo isn't for the faint of heart. The afternoon Pacific wind sets a time limit for takeoffs, typically until midday, after which conditions become rough and demanding close to the mountain. This limitation, together with the challenging terrain, leaves Roldanillo to be less suitable for beginners. The journey to the takeoff spot takes while, and failing to catch the first thermal can lead to a disappointing "bomb out," leaving pilots grounded for the day.
In my first flight in Roldanillo, I couldnt cath the first thermall and barely made it over some powerlines to a landing sport that was free of trees. With just a few hours of thermalling and XC experience, Roldanillo didnt make it easy for me to get a nice flight in. It was quite depressing to land at so early in the day and not be able to go up again for another flight. My second flight was not less dramatic. We took off and headed north, I catched one thermal and got to cloudbase, then i went for the glide to the next thermal that was just above a little ridge. I misstook the glide ratio of my B wing with the one of a D wing and found myself in the lee side of this little ridge. Above some crazy powerlines I got a big frontal collapse but could luckily escape the un-landable terrain by getting altitude in a lee side thermal. After that i kept flying for some more minutes until i landet safely in a nearby field. I know this mistakes were basically due to my lack of experience, knowledge and skills. But this experience shaped my impression of Roldanillo. And I am not the only pilot with such experiences. This year there where over 12 pilots that tossed the reserve due to the turbulent conditions.
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Since Roldanillo is so famous, it gets pretty busy in the main season between November and March. Daily shuttles to the take off leave from 8:30 a.m. on and flying starts between 10 and 11 a.m. Flying in Roldanillo is definate a challenge for some pilots and a reminder of the importance of skill and experience while flying.
Piedechinche: The Relaxed Paradise
In contrast to the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere of Roldanillo, Piedechinche offers a more laid-back and welcoming experience. I like to reffer it to as Roldanillo's "nice little sister," This pleasant location offers a calm atmosphere and friendlier flying conditions, making it an ideal flying destination for pilots of all experience levels.
Flying in Piedechinche typically begins around 10:00 a.m., allowing pilots to take advantage of the softer morning thermals. Unlike Roldanillo, where the window for takeoff is limited, Piedechinche offers consistent flying conditions throughout the day. The big advantage of Piedechinche is exctly this; whatever time you arrive to the takeoff there will be thermals and good flying conditions. Sometimes you can takeoff at 2 p.m. and still fly for 3+ hours. The thermals here are gentler and more forgiving, creating a safer environment for beginners and intermediate pilots.
One of Piedechinche's best features is its accessibility. The residential thermal, conveniently located in front of the takeoff. From there you can fly to the right (to north) to catch the next thermal on the ridge or on the left (south) to cath another thermal on the other ridge, or just straight to the town of Santa Elena, if you already feel comfortable with flying in the valley. This little triangle offers easy thermals and safe landings everywhere. If you already feel comfortable you can easily continue to north to the town of "Costa Rica" which is close to a little lake, or further north to Tulua and back again to the landing. Please just check the airspace before takeoff, its very common that foreign pilots dont care and fly in the Airspace (Local pilots are afraid that authorities have the power to shut down paragliding in the area if this happens too often). Some pilots who stay in the town of Santa Elena make their last flight in the late afternoon and take the last thermals to arrive to their hotel.
The relaxing vibes are not just found in the sky while flying gentle thermals but also on the ground in the restaurants and bars next to the landing or in the nearby town.
Choosing Your Paragliding Adventure
Ultimately, the choice between Roldanillo and Piedechinche depends to your skill level and flying aspirations. For the ones seeking kilometer records and competitive chllenges, Roldanillo invites you with its adrenaline-charged atmosphere and ability to set records. However, if you're looking for a more relaxed and beginner/intermediate friendly experience, Piedechinche offers just the right place amidst the landscapes of Colombia.
Whether you're looking to take your first solo flight or break distance records, Colombia's paragliding paradise has something for everyone.
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