Imbabura volcano
Paragliding site · Ecuador
- Launch altitude
- 3,355 m
- Level
- Ask the local school
- Best season
- —
- Landing
- —
Works on N · NE · E
Where it is
Imbabura volcano is a high-altitude thermal and soaring launch in Ecuador at around 3,355 m, flying with wind from the north, northeast and east. Take-off is a nice grassy slope with room for a handful of gliders at a time, so it isn't the place for a big group to launch at once. Getting up and back down is typically arranged through local pilots, who hire a pickup that both drops you at launch and retrieves you after landing for the ride back into the city — a convenient system if you connect with them. Summer, from June to September, brings notably strong wind here; local pilots still fly this stretch, but only in the early morning or late afternoon, avoiding the stronger midday hours. Landing has several options between take-off and the city, with a field behind the bus terminal being the popular choice, plus a few alternatives before reaching it. With real altitude, dependable thermal and soaring conditions, and a supportive local pilot community for logistics, Imbabura volcano rewards visiting pilots who plan around the seasonal wind pattern.
Launch & conditions
A nice grassy slope with room for a handful of gliders at a time. Summer (June-September) brings strong wind; local pilots stick to early morning or late afternoon during that window.
Getting there & local rules
Local pilots typically arrange a pickup that drops you at launch and retrieves you after landing for the ride back to the city. Landing has several options between take-off and the city; a field behind the bus terminal is the popular choice, with a few alternatives before it.
Local rules & hazards
Summer (June to September) brings strong wind here; local pilots still fly this window but only in the early morning or late afternoon, avoiding the stronger midday hours.
Check conditions before you fly
A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Imbabura volcano, 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 Imbabura volcano with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.
Conditions right now
Live — the same sources the OutDare app uses
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Is it usually flyable? The 12-month record
In a typical 12–35 km/h wind range, Imbabura volcano offered a flyable window on 59 of 365 days (16%) over the last 12 months. Best month: September (37%).
| January6%2/31 | February0%0/28 | March0%0/31 | April13%4/30 | May16%5/31 | June17%5/30 |
| July35%11/31 | August35%11/31 | September37%11/30 | October16%5/31 | November0%0/30 | December16%5/31 |
A day counts as flyable when the surface wind held in your range, from a direction the site flies, with no rain, for at least 2 hours in a row (08:00–20:00) — from hourly 10 m wind over the last 12 months. A seasonal wind guide only: it can't judge gusts, thermals or turbulence, and never replaces the live forecast, airspace checks and your own judgement.
Is it usually flyable?
Set your wing's wind range once — the live 7-day outlook and the last 12 months both answer for Imbabura volcano.
Surface wind (10 m) in km/h — the same number you read on any forecast.
The 7-day outlook and the 12-month history below both update to your range.
7-day wind outlook
High-resolution models — the same OutDare uses.
Loading the forecast…
Over the last 12 months
16% of days flyable
59 of 365 days had a dry 2-hour+ window in your range, from a direction this site flies
Best month
Sep · 37%
Flyable days by month
A day counts as flyable when the surface wind held in your range, from a direction the site flies, with no rain, for at least 2 hours in a row (08:00–20:00) — from hourly 10 m wind over the last 12 months. A seasonal wind guide only: it can't judge gusts, thermals or turbulence, and never replaces the live forecast, airspace checks and your own judgement.
Nearby flying sites
Site facts from the OutDare flying-site database. Always verify current access and regulations with the local club before flying.