DESCRIPTION

Great high mountain site, close to the city. The main area is a large bowl on the west end of the main ridge. The takeoff area is huge and smooth.

ACTIVITIES

- paragliding
- hanggliding
- hike
- soaring
- thermals
- xc

weather

Cloudbase is often quite low, and Skalafell is at 800m, so quite exposed to upper winds. As always in Iceland, the weather can change very very quickly. Contact the locals for a weather briefing.

access

Drive from Reykjavik area in the direction of Thingvellir. 10km after turning onto the Thingvellir road, Skalafell ski area is signposted left. Take the rough road to the carpark. Near the entrance to the carpark, a rough road leads to the top of Skalafell, where there is a large antenna site. This road will be blocked to everything except large 4x4s in winter. In the winter, when the ski lifts are running, talk nicely to the operators and they'll let you up.

regulation

Skalafell is underneath the FAXI TMA, which is base 3000 feet AMSL or 1000 feet above ground, whichever is higher. This means that controlled airspace starts just 1000feet above takeoff. It also means that if you wish to fly over the nearby mountains, you MUST be less than 1000 feet/ 305m above all terrain over 610m/2000 feet. This airspace extends 20km to the east of takeoff and 30km to the north. See these links for more details: http://www.caa.is/media/PDF/ENR.pdf http://www.caa.is/media/PDF/AD_2_BIRK.pdf