Page 54 - Cross Country Travel Guide 2019

Paramotoring
On days when it’s not blowing in
Fuerteventura, the second largest island

in the group, it’s a stunning location for
paramotoring. The rocky desert-like
landscape is like nowhere else in Europe. In a
couple of hour’s motoring you can overfly 20
volcanoes (the last eruption was 4,000-5,000
years ago) and cruise along silky beaches,
breaking up the journey with stops.
There is a big motoring scene in
Fuerteventura (which literally translates from
Spanish to “Big fortune”), like there is in
mainland Spain, with about 30 pilots. Some
fly some pretty beefy machines. Because

of the wind it’s advisable to bring a small
wing and bigger motor if you’re skilled and
confident enough to join the locals on the
windier days, otherwise wait for the calmer
days. Across the islands alternative activities
include hiking, biking, wind surfing, water
sports and diving – no reason to get bored.
flyincanarias.com
Photo: Christian Fernández del Valle

La Palma

If you’re looking to combine a relaxing
family holiday with the chance to do some
paragliding, then La Palma, one of the smaller
islands, is the easiest option.
There are all the usual trappings of a
de-stressing beach holiday with hip bars, sun-
loungers and infinity pools to keep the family
happy. But there is also flying – just as relaxed,
with stress-free conditions.

La Palma’s 2,400m peaks rise out of the sea
steeply. This creates a cosy protected leeside
for gentle thermal flying, and a soaring ridge
on the other side. School and club shuttles
to take-off leave from the heart of the tourist
hotel area so it’s a convenient walk to pick up
your ride. Launch is only 240m so you won’t
spend long in the back of the bus.

In the air you can work your way up on the
wall behind to over 1,000m to start exploring,
or simply cruise back down to land on the
beach at Puerto Naos for a pina colada.
flyincanarias.com
Photos: Marcus King

54 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 CANARIES