Dora

Dora sits above the Diarizos valley in south-west Cyprus — a launch about 1,300 ft above the river plain, facing south-west and catching the prevailing sea breeze that runs up the valley from the coast. It's a good thermal-and-soaring site in light winds and stays soarable as the wind picks up, though thermals can turn turbulent with less real height gain when it does. Dora village crowns a ridge above one of several deep, wide drainages radiating from the mountains down to the coastal plain.

Launch & conditions

Short and steep — difficult launch. Sits north-east of Dora village, just off the main road at the north end of the bowl. About 1,300 ft above the river plain, faces SW.

Getting there & local rules

Dora village sits atop a ridge overlooking a wide valley formed by the Diarizos river (don't look for a real river — it's a broad drainage). Landings: with enough height, land in the fields on the river plain near Kidasi. Top-landing options: on the left of takeoff (careful) or in a small clearing with vineyards to the right in front of takeoff.

Local rules & hazards

As you descend past the level of the lower cliffs (~400–500 ft above the river bed), expect a band of general turbulence where the upstream valley venturi collides with convection — thermals here are strong but disorganised. Descending into that air can be exciting, annoying and, close to the ground, dangerous.

Check conditions before you fly

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