LOKACIJE
Gdje letimo
Kvarner bay is full of wonderful places to enjoy all year flying, weather you like easy afternoon magic hours or some proper cross-country you will find it within 45min drive from Rijeka. On some sites you even land on the beach – take your swimming pants and flip-flops – its as magical as it sounds!
VINODOL
Tribalj ⤴
Tribalj je jedno od najpopularnijih paragliding uzletišta u Hrvatskoj, smješteno u srcu Vinodolske doline na grebenu iznad Tribaljskog jezera. Pruža prekrasan pogled na Kvarnerski zaljev i odlične uvjete za cjelodnevno letenje kada su uvjeti povoljni.
Lokacija se nalazi unutar CTR zone Zračne luke Rijeka, stoga je sve letove potrebno unaprijed najaviti putem našeg obrasca. Također, obratite pažnju na prognozu - zbog Bure!
Starting elevation is 770 meters, with an altitude difference of about 680 meters to the landing. The takeoff is covered with artificial grass and has a small shaded area nearby. Please take all trash with you. Summer midday conditions can become quite strong and are not advisable for beginners without supervision.
The official landing site is a large, well-maintained meadow below the village of Antovo, 600m NW of Lake Tribalj. It is easily accessible by road and marked with a windsock.
Top landing is not permitted on the takeoff or near the road, as there have been serious accidents in the past, including fatal ones. A designated top landing option is the plateau 800m NNW of the takeoff, just above the small cabin, between the last power line and the ‘Zebar’ peak.
Glavni pristup je cestom iz Triblja ili iz Hreljina preko ceste prema Fužinama, oko 3,3 km od centra Hreljina. Obje su rute asfaltirane, ali uske, zarasle i u lošem stanju. Vozite polako i oprezno.
Letiv je na sve zapadne i jugozapadne vjetrove – S, SW, W, NW
Ako je predvečer najavljena Bura (N, NE, E), razmislite o skraćivanju leta jer često dolazi brzo i nasilno — iz smjera W prema NE u svega 5 minuta, s udarima i preko 30m/s!
GROBNIK
Mali Platak ⤴ & Zbelac ⤴
Mali Platak je relativno novo uzletište koje se sve češće koristi posljednjih godina. Radi se o nešto uvučenom startu koji zahtijeva dobar glajd ili spremnost na top-landing i ponovni start. Često se nalazi neposredno iznad inverzije, što ga čini popularnim izborom u stabilnim uvjetima.
Žbelac is a great alternative when conditions are too strong at Mali Platak. It is located a few hundred meters lower and is often within the inversion layer.
Oba poletišta nude prekrasan pogled na Grobničko polje i Hahlić. Kako se penjete polako se otvara panorama prema Gorskom kotaru, Nacionalnom parku Risnjak i dalje u nedogled.
Poletište Mali Platak je mala alpska livada na kojoj se može udobno postaviti oko šest krila i koja omogućuje jednostavan top-landing. Iza uzletišta nalazi se gusta borova šuma koja pruža puno hlada tijekom toplijih dana.
The launch is slightly inset into the terrain, so a good glide is needed to get out efficiently. Avoid wasting altitude if you do not connect with lift in the first few turns. There are several good top-landing options below and left of the launch, and if it looks like you will not make it out, it is better to land, restart, and try again. With even a moderate amount of wind, the site is usually active enough to stay airborne.
Žbelac launch is relatively short and a bit steep, but comfortable to use and equipped with a small sitting area. There is very little natural shade. If conditions here are too weak or there is no wind, Mali Platak is often the better option.
One of the best aspects of the area is the number of landing options. Top landing is possible directly on Mali Platak or on many open peaks NW and SE of the launches. Additional landing options are the large fields near Kamenjak, SE of both takeoffs and close to the road towards Zagreb. Be aware of smaller power lines in the area and choose the largest open fields when landing.
An emergency landing option is located in the NW section of the large field below Žbelac, the crossing of the two dirt roads. Be aware that the S and SE sections of this field are used as a shooting range — avoid flying low over that area.
Pilots must stay clear of the main airfield of Grobnik Airport, the Automotodrom Grobnik racing circuit, and the nearby military facility NW of the airfield, recognizable by its large green U-shaped building and perimeter fence.
The main landing area is E of the airfield, between the blue hangar and the small hill known as “(Za)konj”. Do not cross over the airfield during approach. All landing approaches should be made from the E, above the quarry and the highway.
Mali Platak is located near the apex of the large serpentine on the road to the Platak ski area, about 2km before the resort. You can take of on NW, W, SW, S and SE directions.
Žbelac is accessed from the road towards Platak. Roughly halfway from the main road there is a crossroads with a lay-by — from there, follow the dirt road for another 500m to a small parking area directly behind the takeoff. SW is ideal but W an S directions are fine.
GROBNIK’s alps
Hahlic ⤴
Paradise! Intended for true H&F lovers as there is no way you are getting up with a car! Shortest hike is around 1.5h and most of them start from Podkilavac. More than 8 routes and a lot of nature to explore.
Ćunina Glava is the closest takeoff, but Vidalj is the real gem of the area. If that is not enough, there are many additional peaks further east worth exploring, including Dnić and Nebesa — literally “the heavens” — as well as more distant options like Mlični Vrh, Bogdin, and Vela Pliš.
The large fields around Podkilavac serve as the main landing area and are among the best in the region. Keep an eye out for occasional power lines when choosing an approach.
Do not fly west of the Dražice–Klana line untill you cross to Slovenia, as this enters the CTR of Rijeka International Airport.
If approaching from Mlični Vrh, Bogdin, or Vela Pliš, the same airspace and landing considerations apply as for Mali Platak and Žbelac.
An emergency landing option is located in the NW section of the large field below Žbelac, the crossing of the two dirt roads. Be aware that the S and SE sections of this field are used as a shooting range — avoid flying low over that area.
Pilots must stay clear of the main airfield of Grobnik Airport, the Automotodrom Grobnik racing circuit, and the nearby military facility NW of the airfield, recognizable by its large green U-shaped building and perimeter fence.
For Vidalj, Dnić, or Ćunina Glava, drive to Podkilavac and continue to the bridge at the end of the paved road. There is a parking area and an information board with marked trails and paths.
Nebesa can be reached via the same route, or approached from Aerosteak or the Žbelac takeoff area – its up to you how much you wanna hike to takeoff or back to car.
Mlični Vrh, Bogdin, and Vela Pliš are accessible from the crossroad on the road towards Fužine where the turnoff for Platak begins. Access is also possible from Gornje Jelenje, Platak itself, and various points in between. You can take marked trails of go off the beaten path!
Most of the sites are flyable in W, SW, and S wind. Some also work in SE and E winds, but special attention is required whenever there is a forecast for “Bura”. The change can arrive very quickly and violently, with conditions shifting from light west wind to strong northeast gusts within minutes, sometimes exceeding 30m/s!
ucka
Susnjevica (Brgud) ⤴
In the heart of Učka nature park there is a small spot that offer truly amazing flying. Easy evening ridge soaring or wild mid day summer thermals – it has it all. Did we mention unforgettable view over whole Kvarner bay and Istrian peninsula? And the Alps? Oh….
Takeoff is a grassy field mixed with flat rocks. Enough space for half dozen gliders or more!
Landing just bellow in small village called Šušnjevica – there are plenty of fields around the cemetery, mostly NE, E and SE from it. Be careful about obstacles and small power lines.
PS. Takeoff is also possible from the Učka peak and but its a bit “Maurer” style. If you are not comfy with it you can try lower one from “saddle” just bellow it. In that case closest landings are meadows N from Mala Učka.
From Vela Učka continue to Mala Učka and some 300m before you reach it there is a crossroad with dirt road towards Brgad peak. Other option is to take a dirt road starting from Nova Vas.
Flyable on NW, W, SW winds.
KVARNER ISLANDS
Krk E ⤴ & Krk S ⤴ & Cres (Lubenice) ⤴
Both Krk and Cres islands offer some of the most spectacular flying you can do in Kvarner bay – thermaling on the coast and landing on the beach! Do you need anything else?
Sure.
Baška on the island of Krk – 2km long sandy beach, excellent lamb and amazing wine!
Lubenice on the island of Cres – fortified urban settlement from prehistoric times beautifully embedded in the tall ridge above the St. Ivan beach.
Baška on the island of Krk has two take offs, one for S, SW wind called Mjesečev Start and another on the opposite side called Titov start used for E wind (Bura).
Mjesečev Start is bit tricky to find as its a tiny patch of better ratiof of grass to rock in the endless rocky grassy plateau above Baška beach.
Titov start is single magical small grass field in the middle of rocky ridge on the SW side of Baška beach. Perfectly trimmed to the thickness of the sheep’s lip and kept in great shape.
Landing is on the beach, SW side where there is not a lot of people. Dont land there in peak season tho, use the big parking or the football field next to it.
Emergency landing from Mjesečev Start is the fields above Tommy supermarket, but its a bit tricky one.
Lubenice start is a tricky one as there is barely enough room for one wing and its quite rocky. But once you get in the air – oh what a view! Its located on the S side of the parking, next to the chappel ruins.
Landing is on the St. Ivan beach – just be careful not to hit any tourists!
You can get to Mjesečev Start from St. Ivan church on E side of the town. Takes around 45m of easy hiking.
Titov start is accessible from SW part of the beach, if you are adventurous you can try the direct route – you will see the green grassy field from the beach, or you can take marked route that goes bit more south – around 45min-1h hike.
Mjesečev Start is flyable on S, SW winds.
Titov start is flyable on E wind but only last day of it! Make sure you triple check the forecast as its usually stronger than forecasted!
“Bura” is very gusty and violent E / NE wind with gusts 3x (or more) average speed, sometime reaching 200km/h – don’t fuck around!
ISTRA
Buzet ⤴
Site with the best XC potential in the region. 100km is the norm there if you are a true cross country pilot! But that doesn’t mean it easy!
Beautiful view of the whole Istria especially Buzet area and all the way to Učka mountain on the E and Trieste and the Alps on the N-NW.
Takeoff is big grassy field with enough room for half dozen of wings. Short and steep, usually quite windy!
Main landing is on the grassy fields near the roundabout towards Buzet.
Emergency landing fields just bellow the start, in Krbavčići – avoid the trees.
Access from the main road Buzet – Brest.
Flyable on W, SW, S winds.
