Reach out for us : +447711302627
Discover launches and conditions:
The Tolmin/Kobarid Valley is the most famous area to fly in Slovenia, and encompasses a section of the world record route. The launches are Stol, near Kobarid, and Kobala , near Tolmin, at the other end of the east/west valley. Shuttle buses run to launch in season.
The valley is one of the most scenic and memorable in Europe, with its gently flowing river down the centre and a good retrieve road either side. You can see the Dolomites to the west on a clear day, but the region is dominated by 3,000m Triglav to the north.
Launches and landings are grassy and well maintained with good windsocks, clear noticeboards and local club members often on hand. To help keep everything nice, site fees of €3 or €4 are applied on some sites, with weekly and seasonal passes available. In case of emergency, mountain rescue is free in Slovenia.
Three of the current world out-and-return records were set here (Arduino Persello’s 280km in June 2012; Nicole Fedele’s 259.7km women’s record and Brett Janaway’s tandem 205.7km, both in August 2013). The record flights start from Sorica take-off. It’s high (1,470m) but short, steep and rough, so can be intimidating for beginners. Just 10km to the west is the much more user-friendly Kobala launch (1,080m). Kobala is big and grassy, and suitable for pilots of all abilities. Try an out-and-return, running the front ridge west towards Gemona or beyond, then drop onto the mountains behind for the return leg.
Hike and Fly Take-Off (3).png
Image by Joris Beugels
WHEN TO GO?

You will get the best chances to paraglide throughout the months of May until the beginning of June, and during late July up until September.

Image by Anton Repponen
Flying conditions

The season starts in late March or early April, depending on winter snowfall and when the tracks open. The season goes through to September, sometimes later. June can sometimes be quite stable, but it becomes unstable again late July and in August – this is when the majority of world records have been set. The air in Slovenia is never that rough or rowdy and pleasant flights are enjoyed by most levels of pilot. Forty minutes further south pilots can enjoy thermalling all year round at a site called Lijak. It’s part of a 35km ridge where pilots regularly clock up 100km OLC flights in every month of the year. Great for February or March getaways.

Image by Jakob Owens
ALTITUDE

Kobala: launch at 1,080ml, landing at 160m
Stol: launch at 1,425m, landing at 230m
Sorica: launch at 1,470m, landing at 840m
Cloudbase: early season 2,200m, 2,800m max in late season

Image by Miha Rekar
MUST BE FLOWN

The 55km out-and-return from Kobala to Stol or vice-versa. This is the big highway of the valley, passing the mighty vertical rockfaces of Krn, the highest mountain in the region.
To make it a 100km, extend the flight from Kobala all the way to Gemona in Italy. For the true aviators, fly Kobala to Gemona, then return but move into the big mountains, dropping over the main spine to land at the lakeside of Bohinj lake for a pleasant swim after an amazing 120km flight in some of the most breathtaking areas of the country. Only for those who understand mountain flying!

Image by Franck Belin
HANG GLIDER ACCESS

There is hang glider access. Kobala and Stol both accept hang gliding, as do the shuttles. There are areas for grass launch, however no ramps.

Find us:

Gabrje 27, 5220, Tolmin, Slovenia

Phone: +44 7711302627

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