Disentis: Caischavedra – Lai Alv – Plaun Tir

Disentis, spanning the Caischavedra, Lai Alv and Plaun Tir launches, is a serious competition site in Switzerland's Graubünden region — it hosted a Paragliding World Cup final in 2021 and regularly holds competitions. The main competition takeoff is at Gendusas, with a second launch at Lai Alv sitting around 2,500 m. Getting up involves taking the cable car from Disentis, then chairlifts to reach Gendusas and Lai Alv — those chairlifts don't always run in summer, in which case the walk up from Caischavedra is the alternative. Airspace rules in Switzerland are complex, so checking current restrictions and active danger areas before flying is standard practice here; the area also includes several wildlife protection zones, and the altitude ceiling is a firm 3,950 m at all times. Landing is at Sax, next to the Hotel Sax.

Launch & conditions

The main competition takeoff is at Gendusas, with a second launch at Lai Alv around 2,500 m; chairlifts serve both, though they don't always run in summer, when walking up from Caischavedra is the alternative.

Getting there & local rules

Take the cable car from Disentis, then chairlifts up to Gendusas and Lai Alv — in summer, when the chairlifts may not run, walk up from Caischavedra instead.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Disentis: Caischavedra – Lai Alv – Plaun Tir, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Disentis: Caischavedra – Lai Alv – Plaun Tir with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.