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For the flying enthusiast and the acro pilot, Corfu is a "must visit" island as it provides the ability to enjoy the wonderful sport of paragliding - parapente.
Corfu is an island and as such it doesn't have any high mountains like in the mainland. The highest is Pantokrator at 980m from sea level. However, there are several sites where someone can take-off and enjoy flying. The atmospheric instability along with the sea breezes guarantee strong thermal flights. Take your friends with you and come try one of the boldest sports in the air. If however you come alone, you will be able to enjoy your first fall with a specially designed parachute of two seats, accompanied by your trainer.
Flying sites of Corfu:
Agios Gordis
The most frequently flown place of the island is situated around 18km west of Corfu city at 370m above sea level. Best choise when the winds are N to NW and sea breeze. To get there follow the road that leads to Agios Gordis but before you reach the beach take the way up to the left until you get to Kato Garounas square. From there follow the one and only way up that leads to the take off. Landing is on the beach. Best time to fly there is especially winter and spring. For more information ask at the restaurants "Poseidonion" on the beach and the pilot-friendly "Golden Horizon" on the hill.
Mirtiotissa
Everybody knows the cosmopolitan beach of Glyfada. Just next to it there is Mirtiotissa. The take-off is at the mountain of Vatos above Mirtiotissa beach at 240m above sea level. Located 15km west of Kerkira city likes to be flown when the winds are S to SW and sea breeze. To get there follow the way from Pelekas or Glyfada to Vatos. Before the village where the school is turn left up. Follow the dirt road for 500m and...there you are. Landing is at Glyfada beach. More informations at "Aloha" beach club.
Pelekas
Pelekas is also 15km from Corfu town and is famous for its beach (Kontogyalos) and the sunset. This site is just 140m above sea level but has an easier access than others. Just before reaching the village there is a big curve and a downhill that leads to the beach. Follow this road and after 50m turn left for the dirt road. After 200m turn right and the uphill ends at the take-off. Good choise for W or SW winds and sea breeze. Landing is on the beach or you can top-land. More information at "Naftis" restaurant
Troumbeta
Located in the middle of the island, this site is 550m above sea level. It flies with SW, S and SE winds but mostly thermal flights at noon. Take the way to Troumbetas and right before the crossroad turn right on a dirt uphill for 1,5km. You have reached the back side of the mountain which faces the north. After the small flatlands take a small path until you reach a small old house. Park there and with your backpack walk for about 70m uphill to get to the other side which faces the south. There you are. No more information here unless being together with a local pilot. The landing field is at the village of Doukades.
Pantokratoras
This is the highest mountain of Corfu, at the north of the island. Access is easy, you just follow the way to Pantokratoras. Take-off is at the top next to the monastery (at 990m). Is not the easiest mainly because it lacks space. Fly there when the winds are S to SE and sea breeze until 12 to 1 o' clock at noon. Usually calm conditions and the landing is at Barbati beach.
Agios Stefanos
Agios Stefanos is on the NW side of Corfu, next to Arillas. The site is 40m above sea level, faces W to NW and sea breeze in the afternoon. Despite being a short site, there is a posibility for a good cross country of 20km (to Sidari and back) with an altitude of around 300m. To get there, follow the road that leaves the village and take the way up. After two turns there is a small dirt road that leads to the site. Landing is on Agios Stefanos beach. More information at the "Havana" beach bar.
Issos
Issos is on the south of the island and is ideal for ground handling and low flights on the sand dunes. Issos faces S to SE winds, better with strong conditions. To get there take the way to Lefkimi and after Chlomotiana curves there is a long straight. At the end there is a sign 'Issos", so turn right and follow that road to the end. Issos is nice for a day's pic-nic as it combines swimming, camping and ground handling with the glider.
Info: http://www.geocities.ws/fly_petros/
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