Leonardo Da Vinci said that whoever flew once would always walk with his eyes on the heights because he would long to return to the top. His prediction is confirmed by the tens of thousands of fans of the air sports that follow the path opened by Abbas Ibn Firnas, a pioneer in the 9th century, and by the Renaissance genius himself. Also by Garnerin, who jumped by parachute in 18th century Paris.

The challenge of flying without checking in motivated many adventurers to lay the foundations for these sports in the 1950s. More than half a century later, the Adventure activities They have evolved at the pace that technology has. What does not change is the courage of those who seek and find unique sensations in flight.

If you are one of them, or if you want to be one, I propose five unforgettable experiences in unique places in Spain where aerial sports have taken root.

Five aerial experiences in Spain to put your adrenaline in the clouds

1. Two-seater paragliding in the Sierra de Segura (Jaén)

Within the framework of aerial sports, paragliding is king, due to its easy accessibility and the range of emotions it generates.

Its origin dates back to the 70s, when it was used by climbers looking for a quick way to descend the slopes of the peaks they had climbed. Since then, its practice has spread and today there are many who fly through the skies in this way simply for fun.

The necessary requirements for this remain the same: a good slope, the perfect thermal and a great desire to take flight. If you meet the third, we'll tell you where to find the first two.

Next to the Jaén town of Cortijos Nuevos, nestled in the Sierra de Segura, stands the 1,809-meter Mount Yelmo, considered one of the best places for paragliding in Spain. Its fame derives from its easy access, its good weather conditions, which allow flights throughout the year, and the attractiveness of the natural environment that surrounds it.

Since 1999, El Yelmo has also hosted one of the largest events dedicated to this discipline in Spain, the International Air Festival (FIA), which every first weekend in June brings together thousands of fans of free and motorized flight.

For those who do not have experience in aerial sports, this occasion is an excellent opportunity to get started, since the program includes beginners in two-seater flight. If the date doesn't suit you, don't worry, you will always have the opportunity to try our paragliding flight activity in the Sierra de Segura.

Letting an experienced pilot be in charge of the technique will allow you to enjoy the views of the mountains, with the Guadalquivir and Segura rivers, and the heritage of municipalities such as Hornos or Segura de la Sierra.

Did you know that during the FIA some pilots begin their paragliding flight by taking off from an authentic Almohad fortress? Impressive, right?

2. Fly on a paramotor over Sierra Nevada (Granada)

Known as the little brother of paragliding, tandem paramotor flight in any of its two modalities, on foot or on wheels, has more and more followers because it offers more advantages and better possibilities than non-motorized paragliding.

Emerged in France at the end of the 80s, the ability to be able to take off from low altitudes, with a priori unfavorable weather conditions and the possibility of being practiced by anyone make the difference with respect to its famous family member.

More and more parachute supporters are opting for this discipline. In addition, other of its credentials are the added safety and autonomy in handling that it offers compared to other flight modes.

Without a doubt, one of the best settings on the Iberian Peninsula for its practice is the province of Granada, where the supply of summer activities in Sierra Nevada. In Cenes de la Vega, a small town northwest of the National Park, there is a consolidated tradition of motorized paragliding.

From here you can fly in tandem at more than 1,500 meters above sea level, enjoy the panoramic views of this spectacular mountain range, contemplate its peaks and escape with a trip tailored to your needs.

3. Balloon ride through Doñana (Seville)

If being your own chassis in flight doesn't convince you, there are less risky options to take to the skies. Specifically, hot air balloon flights, which, although surprising for the speed of their ascent, later become a gentle ride through the clouds.

Once at the heights, what predominates is silence. And what matters are the views. For this reason, Doñana is one of the best places to fly in a balloon, where you can reconcile with the landscape and recover sensations that you had lost or never found.

What better way to discover this National Park, famous for its bird migration, than from a bird's eye view.

The takeoff takes place near Gines, in Seville, a province that was the birthplace of Jesús González Green, pioneer of ballooning in Spain. Once up, you will enjoy high-altitude flights and others in which the balloon almost touches the treetops. For an hour you can explore the different ecosystems that make up Doñana: marshes, forests, dunes and even the sea.

If the wind allows it, you will return to the starting point through the Guadiamar Green Corridor, the first Protected Landscape in Andalusia, characterized by the presence of oaks, pastures and pine forests.

Another place of special beauty to explore in a hot air balloon is the Murcian plateau. Do you want to meet him? Don't miss this one balloon ride activity in Murcia.

4. Free fall on the Costa Brava (Gerona)

Paragliding may seem daring, but there are those who use another even higher yardstick to measure the intensity of their emotions.

Few experiences will make you experience sensations as extreme as a free fall jump, imagine descending to 200 kilometers per hour from 4,000 meters high.

If you want to do more than just imagine it, try a tandem jump in Empuriabrava, an entity located in Girona. In addition to being one of the places with the greatest skydiving tradition in Spain, it is a reference for fans from all over the world and a perfect space to get started if you have no experience.

They will take you by plane from the Empuriabrava airfield, framed in the Ampurdán Marshes Natural Park. Upon reaching the necessary height, the moment of truth arrives: a little push and the jump into the void, up to 1,500 meters high, when the instructor opens the parachute. Then you have approximately 5 minutes of gentle gliding to enjoy the panoramic view of this part of the Costa Brava, with Cape Creus and the Bay of Roses in the foreground.

5. Gliding in the Sierra de Guadarrama (Segovia)

“Inventing an airplane is nothing, building one is something, and flying, … is everything!” Otto Lilienthal.

It was not until the 1920s, with the First World War, when the first gliders designed years ago by Lilienthal.

Current gliders are quite far from those, since technological advances and the use of new materials have revolutionized this sport. Known as sailing, it is the modality that best evokes the conventional way of taking to the skies.

Originally these gliders were driven from the ground, but currently they are towed by other planes that, once the appropriate altitude is reached, release the connecting cable from the two-seat glider. For many it is the most authentic and clean air sports activity that exists. Furthermore, it is possible to practice it, regardless of the orography and other conditions, almost anywhere.

Germany is the center of this modality, but in various parts of Spain you can enjoy this adventure. The best is in Segovia. To fly without a motor in this province you have to depart from the Fuentemilanos aerodrome.

You will fly over the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, the Regional Park of the Upper Basin of the Manzanares River and the surroundings of the capital of Segovia.

If weather conditions permit, you will have spectacular views of the landscape. From these traveling watchtowers, which soar through the air in total freedom and calm, 2,000 years of history and a treasure of nature await you under your feet.

Have you felt like getting to know Segovia from above? You can also do it in a balloon. Take a look at this balloon ride activity in Segovia.

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Being served orange juice on the airlift is fine, but it has no comparison to the dry mouth that flying on your own causes. Risk is fun. The life of someone who doesn't get up from the stretcher table may be long, but the most exciting thing he will tell his great-grandchildren is that one day the power went out.

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