Bellmunt, near Barcelona in Catalonia (northeast Spain), is becoming an increasingly interesting hike and fly destination in Europe.
This past April 18th and 19th, I had the pleasure of once again serving as Race Director for a new round of the Catalan Hike & Fly League 2026, held in Torelló (Bellmunt), a beautiful village in the province of Barcelona. With more than ten years of experience collaborating in the organization of paragliding competitions across Catalonia, I regularly work as Race Director in hike and fly events, supporting competitions that bring pilots together to enjoy our skies in a safe and structured way.
This kind of work combines my two great passions: flying and organizing events that comply with hike and fly regulations, so that pilots can improve their position in rankings, gain competition experience, and be considered for selections that allow them to participate in higher-level competitions. And no matter how complex the organization may be, my greatest satisfaction comes from making sure each pilot is looked after and completes the race safely and with confidence.
Bellmunt, Spain 18 Apr, 2026
15 Pilots registered, from 3 Countries 2♀ 13♂
This edition brought a fantastic atmosphere, coinciding once again with the legendary Cursa dels Matxos http://www.matxos.cat, a tough mountain footrace running through the Bellmunt area.
The result was a thrilling event, intense on the ground and in the air, where physical endurance, flight skill, and smart strategy all played a key role.
The race took place across the Torelló area, in the north of the province of Barcelona, a landscape that never stops surprising with its terrain and flying conditions, making it a solid reference for paragliding and hike and fly in Spain.
This is a club dedicated to paragliding located in Bellmunt, Catalonia, where events and meetings are organized to fly and enjoy the sport. The club has several pilots who score in competitions, as demonstrated by their ranking in Catalonia. The club is an open community with invitations to common events, allowing both veterans and novices to join and enjoy flying.
Fly with Xirli is an aerial activities company founded by in 2015, which specializes in all kinds of aerial activities and offers its services in the organization of paragliding competitions and is a paragliding pilot guide in Barcelona. The company is headed by Xirli, a licensed expert pilot, who shares his passion for flying through various aerial experiences. Fly with Xirli provides a pick-up service and organizes flights in different locations
The Catalan Air Federation is the governing body for sport aviation in Catalonia. As the main promoter of aerial activities in the region, its role was crucial in coordinating and ensuring that the final race of the Catalan Hike & Fly League met the highest standards of safety and professionalism. Their support not only guarantees high-quality events but also fosters the growth and visibility of air sports.
This is a club dedicated to paragliding located in Bellmunt, Catalonia, where events and meetings are organized to fly and enjoy the sport. The club has several pilots who score in competitions, as demonstrated by their ranking in Catalonia. The club is an open community with invitations to common events, allowing both veterans and novices to join and enjoy flying.
Fly with Xirli is an aerial activities company founded by in 2015, which specializes in all kinds of aerial activities and offers its services in the organization of paragliding competitions and is a paragliding pilot guide in Barcelona. The company is headed by Xirli, a licensed expert pilot, who shares his passion for flying through various aerial experiences. Fly with Xirli provides a pick-up service and organizes flights in different locations
What made this 2026 edition especially meaningful was something beyond the race itself: for the second consecutive year, we successfully brought together the Catalan Hike & Fly League and the Cursa dels Matxos in Bellmunt.
This is the result of a natural and growing collaboration between both events. The shared values of physical challenge, connection with nature, and community spirit make this partnership a strong fit.
The objective is clear: to consolidate this relationship year after year, allowing both hike and fly paragliding and trail running to grow together, reinforcing Bellmunt as a reference destination for outdoor sports in Catalonia and Spain.
Congratulations to Andreu Moreno Martínez, who crossed the finish line first and took the victory in this edition of the Catalan Hike & Fly League 2026 in Bellmunt. A well-deserved win was earned both in the air and on the mountain. 🏆
The Catalan Hike & Fly League is a competition format where pilots must combine hiking and paragliding to complete a course made up of waypoints across mountain terrain.
There are no lifts or shortcuts, just legs, wings, and strategy. Pilots must reach each checkpoint in the correct order, and the first to complete the full course and cross the finish line wins.
This format rewards not only flying skill but also physical fitness, route reading, and real-time decision-making. It is one of the most dynamic and accessible competition formats in paragliding today, gaining interest across Europe.
Race direction in hike and fly requires coordination, safety management, and a deep understanding of both flying conditions and mountain environments.
Events like the Catalan Hike & Fly League show how structured competitions allow pilots to progress, gain experience, and access higher-level events within the sport.
Seeing this event grow, edition after edition, is always rewarding. Bellmunt offers a unique combination of terrain, atmosphere, and community that continues to attract pilots and outdoor enthusiasts.
Being part of the organization of events like the Catalan Hike & Fly League is both a responsibility and a privilege, contributing to the development of hike and fly in Spain and its growing recognition at a European level.
I hope you have enjoyed this article, where I have shared my experience as Race Director at the Catalan Hike & Fly League 2026. Do not hesitate to contact me for more information about my personalized service as a paragliding pilot guide. I am here to meet your expectations!
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