Paragliding XC Data Analysis

Discover where and when pilots fly cross-country. Analysis of 10 years of XContest data showing the most reliable takeoff sites by country and season.

Dr. Rafał Noga — Freelance engineer specializing in data analysis, modelling & simulation, control systems, and trajectory optimization for paraglider-wing-based systems. Formerly at SkySails, working on Airborne Wind Energy (energy generation using tethered wing/kite systems). More: noga.es

Best Regions by Season

Flyable days are defined as days with a minimum of 3 flights, each scoring over 100 points and registered within a 200-km-diameter zone. Averages are computed across 10 years. Data source: Xcontest 2015-2024.

Where to fly paragliding - regions by season (1/6)

Where to fly paragliding - regions by season (2/6)

Where to fly paragliding - regions by season (3/6)

Where to fly paragliding - regions by season (4/6)

Where to fly paragliding - regions by season (5/6)

Where to fly paragliding - regions by season (6/6)

1. Colombia, Valle de Cauca: Roldanillo, Piedechinche, Ansermanuevo

2. India, Bir Billing

3. Brazil, Sertão South: Assú, Caicó, Patu, Caraúbas

4. Kenya, Kerio Valley: Kerio View, Kilima, Nyaru, Samich

5. Switzerland, Northern Alps: Fiesch, Riederalp, Niesen, Mornera, Crap Sogn Gion, Brunni, Cimetta, Grindelwald, ...

6. Slovenia, Julian & Carnic Alps: Kobala, Sorica, Gemona, Stol, Gerlitzen, Lijak, ...

7. France, Southern Alps: St. André, Col de Bleine, Col d'Izoard, Gourdon, Chabre, Puy Aillaud, ...

8. Switzerland, Jura: Weissenstein, Niederwiler Stierenberg, Obere Wengi, Treh, Mauborget, Le Suchet

9. Australia, Manilla

10. France, Northern Alps: Saint Hilaire, Planpraz, Méruz, Marlens, Col de la Forclaz, Montlambert, ...

11. Thailand, Khao Sadao, Khao Phraya

12. Italy, Venetian Prealps & Dolomites: Bassano, Rubbio, Feltre, Revine, Monte Dolada, Col Rodella, ...

13. Italy&Austria, Central Alps: Emberger Alm, Antholz, Speikboden, Kössen, Adler Lounge, Brauneck, ...

14. Brazil, Central West: Jaraguá

15. Mexico, Valle de Bravo: El Peñón

16. Switzerland, Graubünden & Vorarlberg: Fanas, Motta Naluns, Golm, Pany, Bezau, ...

17. USA, Washington: Chelan Butte, Tumwater, Raptor Ridge

18. Brazil, Sertão North: Quixadá

19. Austria, Salzburg & Styria: Bischling, Stoderzinken, Hochfelln, Gaisberg, ...

20. North Macedonia, Kruševo, Zervi, Prilep

21. Bulgaria, Northeast: Nevsha, Shumen, Madara

22. Spain, Central Spain: Peña Negra, Pedro Bernardo, La Lastra, Candelario, Piedrahita, ...

23. Italy, Piedmont: Santa Elisabetta, Cavallaria, Rocca Canavese, Piossasco, Corio, ...

24. Spain, Pyrenees & Catalonia: Áger, Castejón de Sos, Rasos de Peguera, Queralt, ...

25. Bulgaria, Central Bulgaria: Sopot, Dobrostan, Brestovitsa, Zlatica, ...

26. Spain, Extremadura: Zarza Capilla, Montánchez, Guadalcanal

27. Italy, Lombardy Prealps: Cornizzolo, Monte Maddalena, Valcava, Ganda, ...

28. Canada, British Columbia: Mount 7, MacKenzie, Lookout

29. Slovakia, Western Carpathians: Martinské hole, Donovaly, Kubínska hoľa, Horná Súča, ...

30. Hungary, Transdanubia: Kocs, Vértesszőlős, Szokolya, Óbuda, Tardos, ...

31. South Africa, Western Cape: Porterville, Du Toit's Kloof, Piketberg, Bain's Kloof, ...

32. Czechia, Bohemia: Krupka, Kozákov, Raná, Čerťák, Oblík, Rašovka, ...

33. Spain, Southeast: El Yelmo, Zarcilla de Ramos, Perico Ruiz, La Golilla, Huéscar, ...

34. Italy, Central Apennines: Serrone, Norma, Alvito, Campo Staffi, Monte Viglio, ...

35. USA, Texas: Hearne

36. Czechia&Poland, Sudetes: Černá hora, Lysá hora, Kopa, Zvičina, Srebrna Góra, Mieroszów, ...

37. Czechia, Bohemian-Moravian Highlands: Všechov, Malý Pěčín, Svatobor, Budkov, Slavíkovice, ...

38. Iran, Kermanshah: Veis Kermanshahi, Ghalaje Ilam, Kerend Gharb

39. Italy, Northern Apennines: Monte Caio, Sestola, Monfestino, Orero, Cà del Monte, Pizzorne, ...

40. Italy, Umbria & Marche: Poggio Bustone, Monte Cucco, Sarnano, Monte Subasio, Monte Pennino, ...

41. Turkey, Ankara: Ayaş, Güdül

42. Lithuania, Genėtiniai, Alanta, Klabiniai, Veleikiai, Leonpolis, ...

43. Hungary, Southern Transdanubia: Szársomlyó, Kalocsa, Jakabhegy, Őcsény, ...

44. Nepal, Pokhara: Sarangkot, Dicki Danda, Rainaskot, Sirkot

45. Italy, Tuscany: Praticino, Massanera, Giogo, Secchieta, Raticosa, Monte Lori, ...

46. USA, Utah: Monroe Peak, Junction, Cove, Mt Edna

47. Austria, Eastern Alps: Schöckl, Hochkar, Hohe Wand, Rax, Kulm, ...

48. Germany, Bavarian Forest: Hausstein, Osser, Doubrava, Hoher Bogen, Dürnsricht, ...

49. Spain, Andalusia: Pegalajar, Chiclana de Segura, Loja, Alcaudete, Lucena, ...

50. Hungary, Northern Hungary: Nyikom, Eged, Sárhegy, Vadna, ...

51. Romania, Southern Carpathians: Bălea, Bunloc, Postăvaru, Priseaca, Parâng, Cozia, ...

52. Slovakia&Poland, Tatras & Beskids: Lomnické sedlo, Čierna Kopa, Skrzetla, Ciecień, Śnieżnica, ...

53. Canada, British Columbia: Pemberton, Miller Ridge, Rainbow Mt., Copper Mnt, Rutherford, ...

54. Brazil, Espírito Santo: Baixo Guandu, Pancas

55. United Kingdom, England & Wales: Worcester Beacon, Milk Hill, Leckhampton, Golden Ball, Long Mynd, Selsley, ...

56. Spain, Aragón & Pyrenees: Blancas, Arangoiti, Loarre, Hecho, Ezkaurre, ...

57. Australia, Victorian Alps: Mystic, Tawonga Gap, Ray's Hill

58. Germany, Black Forest & Swabian Alb: Oppenau, Neuffen, Kandel, Tafelbühl, Merkur, Schauinsland, ...

59. Spain, Western Andalusia: Líjar, Poniente, Montellano, El Bosque, ...

60. Turkey, Lycian Coast: Çameli, Babadağ, Seki, Kayaköy, Elmalı, ...

61. Spain, Extremadura: Arroyomolinos, La Parra

62. Thailand, Phetchabun: Phu Thap Boek

63. Brazil, Sertão Pernambuco: Afogados da Ingazeira, Arcoverde, Custódia, Monteiro, Serra Talhada, ...

Where Do High-Scoring Paragliding XC Flights Start?

Average number of XC flights per week per takeoff (5 km cluster), 10-year average (2015–2024). Data source: Xcontest.

XC flights >200 points

XC flights >300 points

XC flights >400 points

Most Frequented XC Takeoffs by Country

Average number of XC flights (>100 points) per week per takeoff (5 km cluster), 10-year average (2015–2024). Click on any chart to view full size. Data source: Xcontest.

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Engineering Services

Beyond paragliding data, I'm a freelance engineer specializing in paraglider-wing-based systems. Formerly at SkySails, working on Airborne Wind Energy (energy generation using tethered wing/kite systems). I offer:

Data analysis & visualization: Custom statistical analysis, dashboards, and interactive reports from flight or sensor data.
Modelling & simulation: Dynamic models for aerodynamic, mechanical, and energy systems.
Control systems & MPC: Advanced process control, model predictive control, and optimization-based control design.
Trajectory optimization: Optimal flight paths, setpoint generation, and constraint-aware planning.
Sensor fusion & state estimation: EKF/UKF, observer design for robust real-time estimation.

Learn more at noga.es