Lijak – Lijac

Lijak is one of Slovenia's most-loved launch sites — a karst-country classic above the village of Šmihel, west of the Vipava valley, giving an extraordinarily high number of flyable days across the year. Winter often works too: even when strong bora blows in the Vipava valley, Lijak sits well protected, and the winter cloudbase can be higher than in summer. Takeoff sits at 565 m ASL, with a hang-glider ramp at 850 m. Local infrastructure is friendly: tandem bookings, flying tickets (day, 10-day or season, with money going to the local club to pay landowner rent) and even rescue-team stickers are all handled at the LZ pizzeria.

Launch & conditions

PG/HG at 565 m ASL; hang gliders can use the ramp at 850 m ASL. Standard approach on landing — please respect it.

Getting there & local rules

Landing at 65 m ASL — a flat area near Šmihel, the small village at the foot of the flying area. The pizzeria at the LZ is the local info hub for flying conditions, transport to takeoff and accommodation.

Local rules & hazards

Max altitude: 750 m AGL. North of takeoff: max 2,900 m MSL. Over the LZ: max 300 m AGL. Avoid flying low over the ridge to the east during bird nesting season. Please use the standard landing approach. Check with the local pizzeria/club before flying for current conditions.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Lijak – Lijac, 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 Lijak – Lijac with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.