Kagel Mountain / Sylmar
Sylmar (San Fernando Valley) · near Sylmar / San Fernando · Los Angeles / SoCal
Paragliding
At a glance
- Skill level
- intermediate
- Best season
- Year-round · Spring and fall best for thermals · Summer mid-day for advanced only
Worth knowing
- Good for a first timer
- Yes
Paragliding detail
- Nickname
- The World Capital of Hang Gliding
- Flying types
- thermal · xc
- Conditions
- 3,537-ft launch facing south into the San Fernando Valley. Reliable thermals off the Angeles National Forest front range. Ideal wind SE–SW at 5 mph. The Sylmar Flight Park LZ is one of the best-maintained landing zones in the country.
- Ushpa
- SHGA (Sylmar Hang Gliding Association) sign-off required. P2/H2 may fly with local instructor sign-off + daily site briefing. $10/month SHGA membership for visiting pilots. Kagel is primarily a hang glider launch — PG pilots use designated launches.
- Intl tip
- Sylmar is at the north edge of the San Fernando Valley, 30 minutes from downtown LA. The SHGA community is welcoming to visiting pilots who follow the protocols. Watch experienced pilots launch off Kagel from the flight park LZ even if you're not flying — it's a genuine spectacle and the community is happy to talk shop.
The guide
Sylmar calls itself the 'World Capital of Hang Gliding,' and for good reason — the Sylmar Hang Gliding Association has maintain…
In the Guidebook
Everything above is yours for free. The written guide to Kagel Mountain / Sylmar — what it is actually like, and what we would tell a friend before they went — comes with the Guidebook.
Getting there
- Coordinates
- 34.3122, -118.3906