Cross Country Travel Guide 2019

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2019

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Travelling to Cappadocia

Visiting a Wold Heritage Site by air


















VolBiv with the wind

Setting off from the front door –
only on foot and with glider























Road Trip to Mongolia

On the road through Central Asia; and above it




















XC-Flying in the Indian Himalayas

Triangle route on the track of the Dalai Lama






















CrossAlps Express

From the South of France
to Austria in three flying days





WHERE IN THE WORLD









































4
70 25
75
10

17
28 35
63 3 2 18
6 16
13 8
11 5
24 1 55
12
7
26 23 27 59


71
32


19



66
48
9
37 14
61







58
























8 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 TRAVEL MAP

1 – Aksaray, Turkey p58 18 – Kronplatz, Italy p36
2 – Alphubel, Switzerland p34 11 – Krushevo, Republic of Macedonia p44
3 – Annecy, France p22 23 – La Palma, Spain p54
4 – Åre, Sweden p43 3 – La Sambuy, France p25
5 – Ayaş, Turkey p58 18 – Lago di Garda, Italy p69
6 – Baigura, France p48 27 – Lanzarote, Spain p53

7 – Big Spring, Texas, USA p63 3 – Le Grand Bornand, France p24
8 – Bol, Croatia p45 18 – Levico Terme, Italy p38
9 – Bolivia p76 48 – Lima, Peru p74
10 – Bovbjerg, Denmark p41 10 – Løkken, Denmark p40
11 – Brajići, Montenegro p46 11 – Lovćen, Montenegro p45
12 – Çameli, Turkey p57 13 – Luchon, France p50
13 – Castejón de Sos, Spain p49 52 – Manilla, Australia p80
14 – Castelo, Brazil p75 3 – Mont Blanc, France/Italy p32
3 – Chamonix, France p22, p68 54 – Mount Kerinci, Sumatra p88
16 – Chamrousse, France p23 55 – Narli, Turkey p57
17 – Chelan, Washington, USA p62 12 – Ölüdeniz, Turkey p56

18 – Col Rodella, Italy p37 13 – Organyà, Spain p68
19 – Colombia p74 58 – Patagonia, Argentina p76
16 – Courtet, France p23 59 – Pyramids, Egypt p60
16 – Dôme de Neige, France p32 60 – Rainbow Beach, Australia p82
2 – Dufourspitze, Switzerland p33 61 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil p75
23 – El Hierro, Spain p70 28 – Rofangebirge, Austria p28
24 – Empesos, Greece p46 63 – Ruch, Oregon, USA p62
25 – Finland p42 3 – Samoëns, France p24
26 – Florida, USA p63 18 – Seiser Alm, Italy p37

27 – Fuerteventura, Spain p53 66 – Sertão, Brazil p78
36 28 – Gaisberg, Austria p27 18 – Soča Valley, Slovenia p30

18 – Gerlitzen, Austria p26 23 – Tenerife, Spain p53
27 – Gran Canaria, Spain p52 10 – Toftumbjerg, Denmark p41
18 – Greifenburg, Austria p27 70 – Vågå, Norway p43
32 – Guatemala p66 71 – Valle de Bravo, Mexico p64
54 13 – Hecho, Spain p49 2 – Verbier, Switzerland p70
18 – Hohe Salve, Söll in Tyrol, Austria p28 3 – Vérel, Chambéry, France p69
35 – Hohe Wand, Vienna, Austria p26 8 – Vis, Croatia p45
36 – Hong Kong p84 75 – Voss, Norway p42
37 – Iquique, Chile p72 2 – Weissmies, Switzerland p34

60 2 – Jungfrau, Switzerland p33 28 – Zwölferkopf, Austria p28
11 – Korça, Albania p45
52





























TRAVEL MAP CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 9

cSHARE IT
Horacio Llorens shares a photo
TRAVEL IS AN ACT with a new friend in Turkey
Photo: John Stapels



elcome to the eighth edition of the Cross Country Travel That Way for a month, or combine overland travel with flying and see
Guide – your annual snapshot into the world of free the sights from our unique perspective. Whatever we do, flying can
Wflight heaven. either add a flavour to the way we travel, or it can become the way we
This year we again take our satellite-view of some of the world’s actually travel and see the world.
best sites, zooming in to give more detail where we can, or going And of course we don’t have to cross continents to do it. We can do
wide-angle to show the big picture. Our aim is to inspire you to it by simply stepping outside our front doors and looking at the day
explore more. To look up at the horizon and think, “I’m going to go a little differently. Asking, “Where can I go from here?” can add spice
there.” in so many ways.

Our lightspeed digital culture gives us extraordinary knowledge Last year I had many good travel experiences. None of them were
and insight into places and people we’ve never even heard of, at epic or involved huge trips, but all of them were memorable for
the touch of a button or the share of a social-media post. The out- me. Sharing a blue-sky winter’s morning in the Stubai Valley with
there becomes the new normal very quickly. Today’s undiscovered colleagues; sunset flying on the magical island of El Hierro; watching
destination can become tomorrow’s “bucket-list must-do” almost otters in north west Scotland on a hike with old friends; catching a
overnight. train packed with evening commuters after an afternoon’s XC. These
For many, that sort of misses the point of travelling. The idea, as we moments are golden, they don’t happen every day. That’s what makes
all know, is not to simply tick a box, or get a photo for Instagram: it them special.

is to inspire and challenge yourself, to share experiences with others, Whether this year you are planning a one-week trip to the Dune
to create connections with the people you meet, to cross boundaries, du Pyla, an XC course in Annecy, an SIV wake-up call in Turkey, or
and to make something already good even better. an expedition to the wilds of Tajikistan or the Rocky Mountains, take
And of course for us it is to fly: to get airtime and to enjoy the care, fly far, and have fun!
sports we love. We are lucky in that we can do that in so many
ways. We can sign up to a one-week course or a two-week trip, head Ed Ewing
somewhere new to fly a competition, go hiking into the hills and fly Editor


10 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 EDITORIAL

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CONTRIBUTORS



Editor: Ed Ewing
Designer: Marcus King
Subeditor: Charlie King
Contributors: Andy Pag,
Matt Warren, Charlie King
Advertising: Verity Sowden-Green
Subscriptions: Georgeana Parsons

Accounts: Carol Harrison
Publisher: Hugh Miller


Cross Country International Ltd
Tollgate, Beddingham, Lewes
BN8 6JZ, UK


Dora Göksal is 28 and lives in Sasha Serebrennikova was born in Jérôme Maupoint has spent a Tel: +44 (0) 1273 256 090
Ölüdeniz where he works as a Moscow, “where it is absolutely flat for lifetime exploring the paragliding Fax: +44 (0) 1273 784 976
paragliding instructor and tandem 1,500km all around!” She discovered potential of his home sites near Editorial: [email protected]
pilot. He started flying in 2011 and got the “wild world” of the mountains early Annecy. As one of the world’s top News: [email protected]

into competitions a few years later. on during mountaineering trips in free-flight photographers he regulalry Ads: [email protected]
flying his first PWC in 2016. He took Russia and Central Asia, then found travels to some of the best flying Office: [email protected]
part in his first hike-and-fly comp, the hang gliding in 2011. She has since spots on the planet, but flying in his
X-Pyr, in 2018. His favourite place to devoted herself to discovering the own backyard is always special. This TRAVEL GUIDE
fly in Turkey is the Taurus Mountains. sky and all it can offer. Together with issue he rounds up six of the best sites The Cross Country Travel Guide is
“There is so much potential for doing Gerolf Heinrichs she runs hang gliding in the French Alps, from Annecy to published as an annual supplement
an open distance, FAI triangles or courses through their company, Chamonix; plus he takes us deep into for subscribers of Cross Country
vol-biv all year round.” He tells us all Adventure Flying. She introduces the the Pyrenees to share his love of these Magazine. Distributed Jan 2018.
about Turkey on p56 Dolomites for us on p36. wild mountains.

instagram.com/dora.goksal adventureflying.at jeromemaupoint.com SUPPORTING US
Cross Country is a reader-supported
international publication and is available
“IT’S AROUND SIX HOURS TO THE TURKEY through subscription only or flying
SUMMIT. A GLACIER CROSSING WITH shops. We publish 10 issues a year, in

A DELICATE STEEPER SECTION AND A Nine print and digital. Thanks for helping us
make this happen.
FABULOUS, SHARP SUMMIT ARETE”
p32 pilots flew ONLINE

300km from Search ‘XCmag’ to find us online.
See /xcmag on Twitter, Facebook
here, changing and Instagram



the mindset of THE LAW
Cross Country (ISSN No: 03.1080, USPS No:
024-612) is published 10 times a year by Cross
Turkish pilots Country International and distributed in the USA by
by SPP, 17B S Middlesex Ave, Monroe NJ 08831.
Periodicals postage paid at New Brunswick, NJ.
forever POSTMASTER: send address changes to Cross
Country, 17B S Middlesex Ave, Monroe NJ 08831.
Global copyright laws apply. The opinions in this
magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of
Cross Country.

PRINT AND PAPER
Cross Country is printed on paper sourced from
sustainable forests managed to strict environmental,
social and economic standards (ISO14001). We use
ISO compliant vegetable-based soya inks which
p57 are better for the environment and make the paper
easier to recycle. Printed by cambrian-printers.co.uk


12 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 CONTRIBUTORS

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GRASSHOPPER
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PARAGLIDERS HARNESSES RESERVES ACCESSORIES

CONTENTS



08 Where in the world 60 The Pyramids


10 Editorial 62 North America


16 Gallery 66 Guatemala



22 Annecy and Chamonix 68 Acro Heaven


26 Austria 72 Iquique


28 Soča Valley 74 South America


32 Alpine 4,000m 78 Towing in Brazil



36 Dolomites, Italy 80 Australia


40 Denmark 84 Hong Kong


42 Nordics 88 Postcard from...


44 Baltics 94 Hot dates


48 Pyrenees cWINDOW ON THE WORLD

Sunset flying Photo: Peter Loncar
52 Canary Islands

fON THE COVER
56 Turkey In the clouds above Marmolada, Dolomites
Photo: Sasha Serebrennikova


14 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 CONTENTS

Tsutomu Kagayama, Outbahn

















































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16 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 BIG PICTURE

eFEELING THE WIND
Sebastian Schlegel on his Skyman Sir Edmund
single-skin glider in the Dolomites in autumn
Photo: Manuel Siegrist



















































































































BIG PICTURE CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 17

18 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 BIG PICTURE

eEXPLORATION
Formation flying above the 2,000-year-old Royal
Tombs of Petra in Jordan
Photo: Franck Simonnet



















































































































BIG PICTURE CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 19

cHIKE AND FLY
Above the Bannalpsee,
Chaiserstuel (2,400m), Switzerland
Photo: Andy Busslinger



20 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 BIG PICTURE



FRENCH ALPS







Annecy
The name Annecy has echoed through the
paragliding world for years. The region around

Lake Annecy is known all over the world
for its mountain scenery, nice climate and
beautiful flying. Take-offs are many, as are the
options for hike-and-fly. Thermal flying really
starts in March and lasts until late October.
Weekends in springtime and the summer
attract the crowds, especially at the site of
Montmin in Col de la Forclaz. Once in the air
though, you can quickly escape the masses
and head off to explore this huge playground.
Classic routes around the lake are marked
by gliders, so you can fly in small groups and

help each other out. The relief around the lake
is almost cookie-cutter perfect for free flight:
when they talk about textbook mountain
flying, they mean here. Check the local
rules and respect them so free flying stays
absolutely free.
chamoisvolants.fr, annecy-vol-libre.com/infos/
le-site-de-vol-dannecy
Photo: Jérôme Maupoint




Chamonix

The Chamonix Valley and Mont Blanc Massif
make up a unique site in the Alpine arc. The
scenery is almost suffocating when you see it
from the ground, but as you gain height the
magic of the place reveals itself.
You can fly 10 months a year thanks to the
many ski lifts on all faces. But no matter if
you come for thermal flying or a hike-and-fly,
Mont Blanc is like a diamond you can’t take

your eyes off. You can imagine yourself up
there some day.
The flight around the Mont Blanc
Massif from Planpraz is often done
between June and September. It’s not a
flight you’ll achieve thanks to luck, but
one that you earn after flying here a lot
and learning its secrets.

The Chamonix Valley is a privileged place
to discover paragliding and, also to learn
safely with local schools. It is also an amazing
base camp for the whole family
chamonix.net/francais/loisirs/parapente
Photo: Jérôme Maupoint




22 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 FRANCE

Jérôme Maupoint guides us around his favouite sites in his Alpine backyard





Chamrousse
Flying in Belledonne from Chamrousse is like
a whole different world. You leave the 1968

Olympic Games and find yourself in a world
of granite and Alpine lakes.
The Recoin at Chamrousse is an afternoon
site that’s ideal with light northerly and
westerly winds. Take-off is at 1,850m at
Aiguille; 3,000m cloudbase and higher is
normal.
In spring and summer, local pilots fly here
after work. Late afternoons can be generous
and endless. You can watch the sunset
over the Vercors while the Grand Pic de
Belledonne and the surrounding faces catch

the golden rays of light. Top-landing on the
summit of Grand Colon is a classic; then
fly back to Lumbin (Saint Hilaire) or Uriage
depending on your logistics.
Chamrousse is a site for any autonomous
pilot looking to learn more about these
mountains and Alpine flying.
https://bit.ly/2A83h9B
Photo: Jérôme Maupoint




Courtet

Trieves is a preserved and sheltered territory.
It has some gems of nature such as the
Grande Tête de l’Obiou (2,790m) that stands
like a prow over the Trieves Plateau. Courtet
is a logical take-off to soar up to Obiou and
access the amazing relief of Devoluy, which
resembles the Dolomites in look. Conditions
are good from April to October.
The mountains here act as a barrier to the

weather between the Northern Alps and the
drier and lower Southern Alps, where, the
sky is bigger and sometimes higher!
Courtet and Obiou offer a great cirque of
Alpine ridges that rise out from a mineral
moon-like landscape. When the flight
takes you to the south, over the west walls
of Devoluy, you enter a world of rocks,

an open-sky geology course. Courtet and
Chatel also offer various hike-and-fly
routes and vol-bivouac potential, especially
at Rochassac.
https://bit.ly/2CbSQD4
Photo: Jérôme Maupoint





FRANCE CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 23

Le Grand Bornand /
Aravis
Only 40 minutes from the crowds in Annecy

is Le Grand Bornand. The summit of Lachat,
accessible by ski lift during the summer,
offers a dream take-off and vast XC potential.
It’s also a classic place to pass by while flying
routes along the Bornes and Aravis massifs.
Come here to fly above the inversion
during strong anticyclonic days in the
summer and autumn. It is not rare to share
thermls with bearded vultures, who are
always curious and will show you the way.
The large and organised thermal of Lachat puts
you in the ideal position to glide to the Aravis to

the east or the Jalouvre range to the west. Above
2,400m, you can see the immensity of Lake
Geneva, far and close at the same time. A spring
classic is to fly towards Lake Annecy and go for a
beautiful out-and-return, pushing deep to the end
of the Bauges Massif. Many pilots fly their first
100km from Le Grand Borand.
https://bit.ly/2BjzQRn
Photo: Jérôme Maupoint




Samoëns

Paragliders were flown for the first time 40
years ago, not far away from here above the
town of Mieussy and the culture of free flight
is well established in the area.
Several sites are accessible from Samoëns,
and they are gateways to long distance
flights towards the surrounding massifs: the
Chablais, Aravis, Aiguilles Rouges. To tame
the place and enjoy a view of Lake Geneva

after climbing to cloudbase, launch from
La Bourgeoise late in the morning and treat
yourself with a flight up the valley to Mieussy
before venturing into the Chablais with the
help of a light N flow and the valley breezes.
The flight back through ancient glaciated
valleys in the Bostan and Criou areas will
take you over some of the most beautiful

landscapes of Haute Savoie.
The season begins in March depending on
snow. June and July are great, Sept and Oct
also offer incredibly good conditions.
ete.samoens.com/hebergement-ete.html
Photo: Jérôme Maupoint




24 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 FRANCE

La Sambuy

La Sambuy is a secret spot where you
can escape the crowd. Leave your car in
Doussard, Seythenex or Col de Tamié and
take the free shuttle up to the ski station,
then ride the ski lift to 1,827m.
This morning site with its north-facing
launch lets you enjoy an amazing view of
the Aravis, the Bauges and the Annecy area.
Make a long top to bottom, an acro run, or

go XC down to Grenoble or up to Chamonix.
Getting to Annecy while others are just
starting to launch is very rewarding!
Hike-and-fly lovers will find paradise here,
whether it is just hiking up to the official
take- off, to La Petite Sambuy, or to La
Bouchasse chalet. Pick mushrooms in the
forest and try the goats’ cheese before you

launch. Always land at the official landing
field in Col de Tamié and avoid the strong
valley breeze early in the afternoon in the
summer. Ideal with light N, NE, and S winds.
lasambuy.com, sources-lac-annecy.com
Photo: Jérôme Maupoint





FRANCE CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 25

AUSTRIAN ALPS







Hohe Wand, Vienna
If you ever wanted to combine a trip to
one of Europe’s most beautiful cities with

paragliding, this is your perfect choice. The
Hohe Wand (High Wall) is situated only
one hour’s drive south of Vienna, Austria’s
capital. The 5km-long ridge stretches from the
northeast to the southwest, making it best for
flying in wind directions S, SE and E. With a
500m difference between launch and landing
you have a great view towards the Hungarian
border and the grasslands of the Puszta, one
of Europe’s largest expanses of protected
prairie. Whilst the Hohe Wand is mostly good
for soaring and easy thermalling, on good

days you can continue on XC flights south and
southwest and follow higher ground into the
Styrian Alps. Make sure to buy a day pass at
the Alpengasthof Postl and get in contact with
the local paragliding school, Fly Hohe Wand,
for details regarding flying conditions and
shuttle service.
fly-hohewand.at
Photos: Martin Lifka




Gerlitzen, Villach

The El Dorado of the Austrian acro scene is
in the south, close to the Slovenian border.
Take-off is just north of Lake Ossiacher,
making it the perfect playground for
freestyle and acro pilots, or SIV training
offered by local acro pilot Xandi Meschuh
(X-Art Paragliding) or the paragliding
school, Airsthetik. Gerlitzen is also in the
middle of a diverse tourist region and ski

resort, guaranteeing that the Kanzelbahn lift
operates during both seasons.
Airspace restrictions mean you can’t fly
higher than 300m above peak level, so it is
not the best for XC. But with up to 1,400m
difference between launch and landing,
Gerlitzen gives you plenty of time to boogie
in the air. There are two landing spots on the

west shore of the lake. Either at the Flieger
Base or directly next to it on the official
landing field of the Kaerntner Paragliding
School.
www.xandi.me, kaerntner-flugschulen.at
Photo: Marcus King




26 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 AUSTRIAN ALPS

Travelling from east to west across the country, Martin Lifka introduces some of his favourite sites in Austria





Emberger Alm,
Greifenburg
This is one of the top spots for XC in the

southern Austrian Alps. At 1,940m ASL,
or about 1,300m above the Drau Valley,
Emberger Alm is the perfect start point
for any pilot flying XC. Head west towards
Lienz, then up to Obervellach or Mallnitz
in the north and then towards Spittal before
flying back to Greifenburg for a manageable
100km triangle. Heading further west will
give you access to the roughest but most
rewarding routes between the Italian South
Tyrol and the main Alpine ridge. Be aware
though that, especially in spring, conditions

can be demanding and valley winds in the
afternoon can give you a hard time when
landing. Strong rain and thunderstorms in
summer can influence the strength of valley
winds dramatically. Get informed at the
Fliegercamp campsite in Greifenburg, where
you can purchase day passes and tickets for
the shuttle service.
fliegercamp.at




Gaisberg, Salzburg

The Gaisberg is known as the first turnpoint
of the Red Bull X-Alps. But it also has a very
long history in Austria’s free-flight story
– sailplanes were first launched from here
in the 1920s. The spot is on the southern
outskirts of the beautiful city of Salzburg.
Before flying the Gaisberg you should get
in touch with the local club Fly4Fun. The site
is in the middle of Salzburg Airport CTR

and the first pilot of the day must call the
tower. Check in with the club in advance or
members on site and make sure to purchase
the day pass for €5. Launching is possible
towards the E, N and W, but even though
the Gaisberg seems quite straightforward,
certain days and wind directions can be
demanding, so take care.

From here the big Alpine sites like
Bischling and Dachstein are also within easy
reach. Check the SkyClub Austria website for
an insider’s guide to flying there.
www.paragleiter.com/english/flightrules
www.skyclub-austria.at





AUSTRIAN ALPS CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 27

Hohe Salve, Söll in Tyrol
The Hohe Salve is between Kufstein and
Kitzbühel in Tyrol and offers access to

interesting XC routes along the northern side
of the Austrian Alps. The peak can be reached
both from Hopfgarten and Söll with lifts, that
are operated during winter and summer as the
region is a large ski and mountains resort. Of
course it’s also great for hike-and-fly tours.
Launching is possible in almost all
directions except for northeast. The peak is
at 1,829m ASL and about 1,200m above the
valley. Due to the altitude the Hohe Salve is
a great place to take off early for extended
XC flights to the west, south across the

main Alpine ridge or to the east. Routes
to the north are possible but be aware of
restrictions due to Innsbruck airspace.
Bear in mind that flying in the Alps at
this altitude you will encounter strong,
sometimes demanding, conditions. Valley
winds can be strong in the afternoon. Chat
with locals before launching.

Flugschule Wildschönau, paragliding.at



Rofangebirge and
Zwölferkopf

These two sites must be mentioned together.
Lake Achensee extends N/S across the AT/DE
border only about one hour east of Innsbruck.
East of the lake are the Rofan Mountains.
Access is via the lift from Maurrach. Hike-
and-fly enthusiasts will love the scenery in the
morning and the flight back down along the
lake and colourful river delta.

Typical for the area is the north wind, the
Bavarian Wind. It starts to strengthen around
2pm and gives ideal soaring conditions at the
Zwölferkopf on the W shore of the lake near
Pertisau. Even on weak days you can enjoy
an extended amount of time in the air. Acro
pilots love it because they can soar back up.
The region is in the CTR of Innsbruck

Airport – flying is capped at 3,000m.
Be aware that flying in Föhn is generally
dangerous throughout the Alps. The shape of
the valley here increases those dangers.
aeroclub-achensee.at
gleitschirmschule-achensee.at




28 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 AUSTRIAN ALPS

R E L A X E D F E E L I N G


W H E R E V E R Y O U T R A V E L







w w w . m a c p a r a . c o m

30 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 SLOVENIA

SOČA VALLEY,


SLOVENIA



he Soča Valley is the outdoor capital of Slovenia. From
T
kayaking to trail running, you’ll find it here. And that of
course includes hang gliding and paragliding. Slovenia’s

Julian Alps are smaller than the French or Swiss Alps, but packed
full of XC potential, whatever level you’re at.
The launches are Stol, near Kobarid, and Kobala, near Tolmin,
at the other end of the E/W valley. On a clear day you can see the
Dolomites to the west, but the region is dominated by 3,000m
Triglav to the north. In season (April to September) shuttle buses
run to the launches, which are grassy and well maintained. A small
site fee applies.
If you are looking to rack up distance come here to test
yourself on the classic 200km+ out-and-return route that takes
you into Italy, ridge-running out front before dropping into
bigger mountains behind. Comp pilots will find friendly events

like the Serial Cup, pictured, where the focus is on learning to
international Cat 2s. It also makes a great holiday destination, with
camping and lots of activities for the kids or others to enjoy.
Photo: Wojciech Kocot
kobala.si, sffa.org/en, serialcup.com




































































SLOVENIA CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 31

ALPS 4000







Mont Blanc, 4,808m
Straddling France and Italy this is the biggie,
the highest peak in Western Europe. It’s not

a technical climb, and is on a lot of alpinists’
tick-lists, so it gets very busy.
There is plenty of room to lay a wing out
on top, and you can launch in any wind
direction but west, so it’s a must-do for para-
alpinists too. But don’t underestimate it – it’s
high, with crevassed glaciers and you need
crampons, ice axe and rope to access it.
The two main routes up are via the Goûter
ridge (stay in the space-age Goûter hut), or
the Trois Monts route, via the shoulders
of Mont Blanc du Tacul (you can launch

from here too) and Mont Maudit. Stay in
the Cosmiques refuge, an hour’s walk from
the Aiguille du Midi (cable-car access) for
the Trois Monts route. You must respect the
official landing zones, and it’s forbidden to fly
from here in July and August. June, September
and October are good times to go.
lesailesdumontblanc.com
Photo: Bob Drury




Dôme de Neige, 4,015m

The Dôme de Neige des Ecrins is a secondary
peak of Barre des Ecrins, Europe’s most
southerly 4,000er. Park at Pré de Mme Carle
and overnight at either Refuge du Glacier
Blanc (2,542m) or Rfg des Ecrins (3,170m).
The Glacier Blanc is heavily crevassed so
you’ll need the usual equipment to safely
travel across it. The Dôme de Neige is one
of a handful of peaks in the Ecrins national

park where flying is authorised between May
and October. (It’s forbidden from November
to April). You can launch from the shallow
summit slope where there is just room to lay
out a wing, or beneath the Brèche Lory at
just under 4,000m.
You need a reasonable glide to follow the
Glacier Blanc back to the car, but you can

land on the less crevassed left side of the
glacier near the path; if you have the height,
cross the col des Ecrins to overfly the Glacier
Noir. It’s a dream flight, either way!
guides-ecrins.com
Photo: Mathieu Stephan / souriresdenhaut.com




32 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 ALPS 4000

Charlie King lines up six brilliant 4,000m+ mountains in the Alps to climb-and-fly





Dufourspitze, 4,634m
The second-highest summit in the Alps and
the highest in Switzerland, Dufourspitze is

one of the ten 4,000m+ peaks on the Monte
Rosa massif. Its closest neighbour, the razor-
sharp Nordend (4,609m) is Switzerland’s
second-highest peak.
Nordend is a slightly easier ascent than
Dufourspitze, and the launch place for
both peaks is in the Silbersattel, the saddle
between them. You can get the Gornergratt
train from Zermatt to Rotenboden then stay
at the Monte Rosa hut (3,920m), from where
it’s an 1,800m climb to the summit.
There is a lot of crevassed glacier to cross,

and some airy rocky sections. It’s tougher
and more technical than Mont Blanc, and
takes 7 to 9 hours from the hut You need a
very early start in case it’s not flyable and
you have to descend the glacier before it gets
too late in the day. Launch from the snowy
expanse of the Silbersattel and land in Tasch.
zermattparagliding.com
Photo: David Carlier / davidcarlierphotography.com




Jungfrau, 4,158m

Jungfrau, with the Mönch and Eiger, forms
a famous mountain trio in the Bernese Alps,
Switzerland. Ueli Steck climbed and flew
from all three in one 12-hour period in 2012!
At 4,158m Jungfrau is the highest by
about 50m, and has a good launch area.
You can take the train from Lauterbrunnen
to Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest station
(3,454m). Either stay overnight at the

Mönchsjoch Hut (an hour from the station)
or take the first train up and do it in a day.
It’s around six hours from station to
summit: a glacier crossing with a delicate
steeper section and a fabulous, sharp summit
arête. To launch, it’s best to descend steep
ground for 100m to the Hochfirn, a wide
open, snowy and obstacle-free slope.

You can launch in NW to SW winds, and
get up close to the north face of the Eiger
on the way down. Land near the station at
Zweilütschinen, or in Grindelwald.
chilloutparagliding.com
Photo: Peter von Känel/ obsig.ch





ALPS 4000 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 33

Alphubel, 4,206m
The Alphubel stands out among its more
jagged companions for its flat-topped shape.

It’s part of the Mischabel group of mountains
in the Swiss Pennine Alps between the
Zermatt and Saas valleys, and is one of the
easier 4,000m peaks to climb.
It can be climbed from Saas-Fee, with
climbers usually taking the cable cars to
Längflue, where there is a refuge, or the
Alpine Metro train to Mittelallalin at 3,500m
It’s possible to launch at Mittelallin in a
NW wind. From Längflue it’s a 4-5 hour
snow plod up the crevasse-riddled Fee glacier
to the summit. The summit ridge is a bit

delicate and can be tricky if it’s icy, but the
views over the Zermatt skyline are stunning.
You can launch just below the summit in
directions from north through east to south.
To the west is a cliff launch which is not
recommended! Land in Täsch, Saas Grund or
Saas-Fee – just watch for lines and cables.
saasfeeguides.com
Photo: Marc Fournier




Weissmies, 4,017m

Weissmies is about 10km northeast of
Alphubel as the crow flies, and some say it’s
the most beautiful mountain in the northeast
Pennine Alps! It lies just east of the Saas
valley and is accessed from Saas Grund.
It’s another fairly easy 4,000er. The normal
route is via the north-west face over the Trift
glacier, and it can be done in a day by taking
the first lift to Hohsaas (3,142m).

Alternatively you can stay overnight at the
Hohsaas hut and benefit from an early start
and firmer snow conditions. From Hohsaas
it’s a 900m ascent up a glacier for 3-4 hours,
passing between towering seracs before
cresting on to the final ridge where the views
are fabulous.
There is plenty of room to lay out, and if

it’s windy on top there are other options a
bit lower down, notably on the shoulder at
3,800m. You can fly in winds from NW to
SW, and land back in Saas Grund.
flywithandy.com
Photo: Aude Mayoraz




34 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 ALPS 4000

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Kronplatz

The well-known ski resort of Kronplatz
in Süd Tirol is named after the 2,275m
Kronplatz peak at its heart. It offers a perfect
take-off for both hang glider and paraglider
pilots, and puts you right at the gate to the
famous massifs to the south and southeast.
The take-off is a good one for hangies,
with a cable car all the way to the top.
Normal take-offs are to the west and north.

Southwest is possible, but the bomb-out is
a bit remote. For landing, hang glider pilots
usually land in Pfalzen; there are also fields
west of the cable-car station. It’s worth
checking as the officially nominated landing
field changes occasionally
Whether you are planning a serious FAI
triangle towards the main chain and back,

want to get to the tricky and remote Tre
Cime di Lavaredo in the east, or perhaps
finally fly over Marmolada on a day with a
slight northerly flow, you can do it from here.
falkenclub.jimdo.com
Photo: AdventureFlying




36 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 DOLOMITES

Sasha Serebrennikova takes us hang gliding above these incredible peaks





Col Rodella
This well-known launch must have the
highest number of take-offs per year in the

Dolomites. At least that’s the impression you
get when flying from this famous mountain
in the heart of the Dolomites in September.
Flights earlier in the season are possible
although conditions might be turbulent at
the height of summer. Also bear in mind that
lots of non-flying visitors descend in August,
so accommodation can be tricky.
The cable car normally operates until the
beginning of October. From there, two take-
off directions, NE and SE, are possible for
hang gliders. As with the Kronplatz, launch is

pretty high so don’t spare on your run.
This is classic XC territory: fly around
the Sella massif, along the huge walls of
Marmolada, above Lake Artemoia; and
beside Violet Towers. Look for a good day
with cloudbase between 2,900m to 3,500m.
bit.ly/2A291RQ
Photo: AdventureFlying






Seiser Alm

The Seiser Alm offers another opportunity
to experience the Dolomites, this time from
the other side of the Langkofel massif. If
you are after a stroll over the remarkable
Rosengarten and not always easy-to-reach
Violet Towers, you might consider this very
friendly take-off for light NW winds. (It’s not
worth trying to fly here in Föhn).
In German, the word Alm means alpine

pasture, which is a good way to describe the
numerous top-landing opportunities here.
It is actually the largest high-altitude Alpine
meadow in Europe. It is especially attractive
if you’d like to have some lunch in the
Gasthaus right at the top.
It is worth checking the schedule for when
the road to the top is open: sometimes it is

shut after a certain time, meaning you can
always get down but you will have to wait
until the next morning to go back up to get
your vehicle.
seis.it-wms.com
Photo: AdventureFlying





DOLOMITES CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 37

Levico Terme
About 15km southeast of Trento, Levico
Terme is also quite a tourist destination.

Although this launch lies south of the
Dolomites and already belongs to the lower
part of the Italian Alps, it has the advantage
of facing south and, being a bit out of the
mountains, can have good weather when
there is rain to the north.
Accessible by car, the take-off is well
suited for hang gliders. Again, the traditional
Gasthaus should not be forgotten. The landing
is also big and well maintained. Tandems and
schools like this friendly take-off, so there is
always someone in the air to show conditions.

XC flights follow the main valley. If you
have a retrieve sorted and are after some
higher mountains you might spice it up
by jumping over the back and landing in
Predazzo. Look for 2,700m-2,900m in order to
feel on the safe side when gliding north.
www.vololiberotrentino.it/web/
Photos: AdventureFlying
Pilot left: Nils Aaage Henden



























































38 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 DOLOMITES



DENMARK







Flying the coast
The wind never stops in Denmark. Pilots fly
the coast here, often in strong wind on low

dunes. Sites start to work at 6m/s (20km/h),
which is lucky as average wind is 7m/s-10m/s.
This all demands certain skills. You must
have excellent strong-wind groundhandling,
and be precise in the air while flying in strong
wind. Master groundhandling by playing on
the long sandy beaches.
In strong wind, pilots inflate at the bottom
and walk backwards up the dune: a “beach
start”. In the air make lots of eye contact
and follow rules of the air. Signal if unclear.
Remember, if the wind is off, then expect a

fast downwind leg and a narrower lift band.
In summer you can fly from sunrise to
sunset – 18 hours. Watch the sea for signs of
changing wind, it gives you 2-5 mins advance
notice. Finally, don’t climb sand cliffs: use the
stairs to avoid erosion. Sand dunes and grass
banks, no problem. Best time: Apr to Sept.
airwave.dk
Photo: Essie Saadi




Løkken

This is the most popular soaring place in
Denmark for visiting pilots. It’s a beautiful
white-sand beach with 25m-90m sand cliffs
as far as you can see. Play low, or soar 10km
from end to end. Best in WNW, although
works fine from W to NW too.
Take off on top anywhere in the public
area, or launch from the beach north of the
campsite. Always be aware of the danger

of rotor: don’t top-land on the flat tops
unless you see locals doing it; even then,
ask for advice before. The best option is to
land easily on the beach. Watch inland for
building clouds. When CBs build this can
create much more wind as they suck in; you
don’t want to be caught out and blown back.
Løkken can get busy: please respect the

people who live here, listen to the local
pilots, use the stairs on the sand cliffs, and
don’t, whatever you have seen on video,
climb the lighthouse! Have fun.
pgnord.dk
Photo: Essie Saadi




40 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 DENMARK

Essie Saadi introduces the strong-wind soaring on Denmark’s west coast





Bovbjerg
The best playground dune in Denmark!
Between 20-50m it takes a WSW at its south

end, and a WNW in the north. You can take
off wherever you feel safe. Don’t use the
lighthouse area though: it is difficult and you
will definitely find rotor on top.
The best playground area is south of
Ferring. In lower wind (6-8m/s), start on
top and fly south. In 8-10m/s, walk down
and prepare on the grass. In even more
wind, go play in the sand where you can fly
the very low ridge out front. If the wind is
more south, drive toward Trans Kirke. The
flat grass field in front of the parking place

is where you start. If you get your glider up,
you’ll be in the air straight away!
In a good wind you can fly between Ferring
and Trans Kirke for 5km. Further south the
coast remains flyable on lower sand dunes,
with landing out front. The whole playground
of four or five sites covers about 16km.
airwave.dk
Photo: Essie Saadi




Toftumbjerg/Hamborg

Toftumbjerg works best for NW wind
(310-350 degrees). It is 50m and has an odd
shape, but it can have a very wide and high
lift band: pilots have reached 400m ASL. The
ridge is 4km long. Plan top-landing properly,
between the parking and your take-off. Don’t
over-fly houses and take care: the beach is
not wide, so land parallel to the ridge.
Hamborg (N to NE, NNE best) looks made

for paragliding. A safe playground with no
rotor or other challenges. Start on top in low
wind, or kite up from below in strong wind.
The ridge is 50m high, and the 3km long
ridge can accommodate lots of pilots.
All the sites here are accessible by car and
have camping close by. Get there by flying
to Hamburg (DE) followed by a three-hour

drive. In July this year Denmark’s pilots are
organising a Paragliding Playground Camp
in Bovbjerg, to showcase the possibilities and
fun of flying in Denmark. Come visit!
pgpgc.dk 
Photo: Essie Saadi





DENMARK CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 41

NORDIC LANDS







Towing in Finland
Finland has some fantastic flatland XC flying.
Kauhava Airfield is a 2,700m former military

airfield that has been delighting the Finns with
a series of 200-300km flights in recent years.
The military left in 2014, so it is now home
to recreational aviation including a winching
operation: Juoni Makkonen flew 337km from
here in May 2018.
The town of Kauhava is about 400km
northwest of capital Helsinki, perfectly
positioned to take advantage of post cold front
NW’ly airstreams. Getting there is easy by
train from Helsinki, or it’s a five-hour drive.
There is a a pink motel (www.lentohotelli.fi)

where you can rest your head. A paramotor
pilot runs the local cinema, so there is even
something to do on rainy days.
The best flying season is May if you want
to fly really long XCs. June is also good, with
the added benefit of longer days. Midsummer
festivities can be fun.
ilmasotakoulunlentokerho.com
Photo: Sami Pitkäkoski




Voss, Norway

Famous for the Ekstremsportveko (Extreme
Sports Week) at the end of June each year,
Voss is getting a new gondola that will take
pilots directly from the train station to
launch. What’s more, that launch can take
any wind direction but N and NW.
To get there fly to Bergen and then take a
two-hour train ride through some incredible
scenery. This is a land of fjords: deep lakes,

steep cliffs and tumbling waterfalls. The
flying here is suitable for all levels; there is
an acro scene too. Landing is lakeside in the
middle of the village.
Top of the ticklist is a 20-40km easy XC
along the world’s longest fjord. XC potential
also includes out-and-returns, triangles
or big 200km flights crossing fjords and

mountain plateaus. A manageable O/R takes
you to the spectacular Nærøyfjord. Despite
deep valleys, fjords and massive glaciers the
conditions are good for most levels of pilots. 
ekstremsportveko.com, vosshpk.no
Photo: Jan Richard Hansen / Pilot: Robin Larsen




42 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 NORDICS

Fred Gustafsson invites us north, to the lands of 24-hour midsummer sunshine





Vågå, Norway
This is the home of the Norwegian national
centre for paragliding and hang gliding

(Rikscentret). Or at least it usually is
– unfortunately it was flooded last year and
was badly damaged. It is just outside the
village of Vågåmon 300km north of Oslo,
and in drier times offers B&B, camping with
showers and a big landing zone.
The closest take-off is on the mountain
of Vole. The area is characterised by broad
highland areas dissected by deep valleys.
When the weather is good there is great
scope for XC flying. You can either follow the
valleys or, when you get really high, cross the

highlands and plateaus.
The highest point in Norway and the flying
site of Juvashytta are both nearby. From
there, if you are feeling adventurous, you can
fly over the high point of Galdhøpiggen or
stay closer to civilisation on the route back to
Vågåmon.
www.nlf.no/hgpg
Photo: Mikael Benjamin Ulstrup




Åre, Sweden

Åre is the alpine centre of Scandinavia. To
get here fly to Trondheim then take the train
to Åre via Hell... The station is 500m from
the landing field where the local paragliding
school has its shop and cafe. You can rent
a place to stay and in the morning walk
halfway back into town for the local bakery.
Åre is a ski resort with lifts that run all
summer. At midsummer it never gets dark

and you can fly at night. The mountain is
called Åreskutan, with the landing field right
next to a lake. Needless to say acro is popular.
The local club even has its own rescue boat.
The XC flying is not to be forgotten
either, but be aware that the fjells around
Åre are not as easily accessible as in
Norway. Roads are few and far between. The

scenery however, is as good as it gets, with
fantastic mountains for hike-and-fly in the
surrounding area. You need to visit Åre. It’s
impossible not to like.
www.skysport.se, aresweden.com
Photo: Fred Gustafsson





NORDICS CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 43

THE BALKANS





























































Republic of Macedonia

Krushevo in the Republic of Macedonia
will host the FAI World Paragliding
Championships in 2019. It’s become a
very popular site on the competition scene
with various national comps, the Ozone
and Naviter opens plus the Hang Gliding
Europeans held recently.
It’s not surprising given the great mix of
hill and flatland flying in the valley. Take-off,

which has been carpeted, is an easy walk
from town that, unusually, sits in a hollow
on top of the ridge. You’ll find plenty of
accommodation and cheap places to eat.
If you want to chill out before or after a
competition head to nearby Lake Ohrid.
Here you will find a huge ridge running
down the length of the lake that faces west,

giving easy afternoon flying, It’s also a venue
for SIV and acro courses. Macedonia is a
mountainous country so there are plenty of
other flying sites to be explored.
flymacedonia.com
Photo: Marcus King




44 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 BALKANS

There’s a lot to like about the Balkans – Marcus King guides the way





Croatia
With azure waters, countless islands and
historic towns, Croatia’s coast draws millions

of tourists each year and was ranked in the
top 20 most popular destinations in the
world. It has penty of possibilities for visiting
pilots as well.
Acro World Champion François Ragolski
explored the Dalmation coast by boat and said,
“We found that paragliding isn’t very developed
here and in places is prohibited but there are
plenty of opportunites. The take-offs are often
improvised or scrubby and the vegetation and
sharp rocks didn’t make it that easy for us.
“Our favourite spots were Komiza on Vis

pictured) and Bol. There isn’t an easy landing
at Vis but it’s a stunningly beautiful place. Bol
has an easy landing on the famous Peninsular
Beach but a tricky cliff-like launch. Once up
you will be rewarded with spectacular flights
over the sea and the possibility of soaring the
whole island.”
pjkflumen.org
Photo: François Ragolski




Albania

The coastal site of Vlora has become well
known after hosting the FAI Accuracy
Paragliding World Championships and a
round of the Acro World Cup. But Albania
is a mountainous country with many more
possibilities for paraglider pilots.
Korça lies in the southeast and was one of
the first sites to be opened for paragliding.
Take-off at Morova is a ten-minute drive

from the city and is at 1,300m ASL, 400m
above the large landing field. The site has
great potential for cross-country flying with
a range of mountains that can be followed,
making it easy to rack up the kilometres
while exploring. The large flat-bottomed
valley means the site is beginner friendly.
The welcoming city of Korça is famous for

its food, music and brewery where you can
taste the best Albanian beer. This all makes
for a good vacation spot for pilots looking to
go beyond Europe’s more usual destinations.
paragliding.al
Photo: Alket Islami





BALKANS CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 45

Montenegro
Like Albania, Montenegro has a mixture of
mountain and coastal flying. The inland sites

can feel remote and you can find yourself
alone, but they do offer good cross-country
flying. However, it’s a small country, with a
population of only 600,000, and it’s easy to
reach the border in flight – which you can’t
legally cross.
On the coast the most famous site is
Brajići, near Budva. It is flyable all year but
is best flown in spring and autumn. In the
summer beach landing isn’t possible and the
only landing available is small and reserved
for tandems. The mountain ridge runs south

to the Albanian border and can be followed
for 40km to the city of Bar, from where you
can turn round and fly back.
Another coastal highlight is flying
down from Lovćen into Kotor Bay with its
spectacular limestone cliffs and a picture-
postcard fortified city.
montenegrofl[email protected]
Photo: Ant Green




Greece

Greece continues the theme of inland
mountain flying and coastal soaring. The
west of the country boasts over 250 sunny
days a year. The regular westerly winds are
perfect for flying the mountain chains that
run south-north and face the Ionian Sea.
The lovely village of Empesos with its friendly
inhabitants is a place for laid-back living. The
mountains (right) in the area reach 2,500m

and offer flying all year round. The Greek
Championships have often been held here with
fast flights in the region’s convergence.
The biggest natural lake in Greece is Lake
Trichonis. The site near the town of Agrinio
offers mild conditions for cross-country
flying as well as SIV training, with landing by
the lakeside.

For a true alternative, take a trip to the small
island of Aetoliko which is connected to the
mainland by two ancient stone bridges. Here
the coastal flying is suitable for all abilities.
noborders.gr
Photo: Joachim Skondras




46 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 BALKANS

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Baigura

Welcome to Basque Country, Euskadi, where
long adventures through the wild Pyrenees
start and finish. From the top of its 840
metres the Baigura reveals the many facets
of the Basque Country: from green hills to
rocky summits; a country with a unique
identity. Baigura is a site where you can
choose to fly the flats or visit the piedmont
with its reassuring round faces (but watch

out for the sea breeze). The best conditions
for flying are with light N and W winds.
From June to September take-off is only
accessible by a small train that leaves from
the Hélette outdoor activity centre. The hike
up will delight hike-and-fly purists. Once
on top, you’ll find yourself surrounded by
wild horses and be able to listen to silence.

You just need to wait for the first vultures to
arrive. The out-and-return to the ridges of
Iparla is a must you should treat yourself to
when conditions are right.
baigura.com
All photos: Jérôme Maupoint




48 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 PYRENEES

Jérôme Maupoint goes deep into these wild mountains





Castejón de Sos
A stone’s throw from 3,404m Pic d’Aneto
(pictured top, opposite), the highest point of

the Pyrenees, Castejón is the largest site in
the Spanish Pyrenees. The scenery matches
the flying potential: extraordinary. Approach
with respect because the house thermal at
Gallinero really propels you to adventure
in the high mountains. The classic route
towards Andorra or Cerdagne, 100km east,
guarantees memorable crossings both for
the beauty of the place and the generous
aerology. Cloudbase above 4,000m is not rare
from April to October.
Beginners can also find a playground for

themselves in Castejón because the flight
from Gallinero offers a difference in altitude
of 1,300m and a large landing field close to
town. Fly early morning or late afternoon.
One hour away by car is Àger. Linking
these two sites is an unforgettable flight. For
outdoor enthusiasts, Castejón is the ideal
base camp for mountain sports.
tandemteam.es, flyager.com




Hecho

Hecho is not the kind of place you
arrive at by chance. This is the heart of
Aragon, where the first big summits of
the Pyrenees sit. You just need to lift your
head to take in the extent of the scenery
with two limestone bastions: the Peña
Forca and the Bisaurin.
There are two good reasons to come
to Hecho: trout fishing and crossing the

Pyrenees by paraglider. The first one is not
that simple... it’s really for specialists! The
second one is not that simple either, but
you’ll find a place filled with harmony.
Ideally, launch in a good cycle because the
take-off is low, so set up as high as you can.
After that set your course to the east. If the
day goes as promised, it might take you to

the end of the Pyrenees.
The site has potential not only for long XC
flights, but also for bivouacs, an adventure
in which moving slowly and wanting to get
immersed in the landscape come before
performance.





PYRENEES CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 49

Luchon

Luchon is a key site in the French Pyrenees
and offers an amazing playground where you
can fly next to a chain of 3,000m summits on
the border ridge with beautiful high-altitude
lakes below.
XC potential is not hindered by the
presence of a national park, so 100km flights
can be achieved without problem when
conditions allow. Yes, it is not as generous

and consistent as Castejón, but it’s beautiful
and on the “sunny” side of the range.
The magic of Luchon is due to its rare
and sporadic character. You must work
hard here and fly a well-negotiated route,
but you will be rewarded. Luchon’s central
location allows you to fly with light W
or N winds to make long flights towards

the High Pyrenees or the Aran Valley and
Cerdagne. In Luchon, and the valleys of
Larboust or Oueil, hike-and-fly is widely
practised in any season. Here, as well as
anywhere else, check the conditions and
avoid Foehn-type conditions.




50 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 PYRENEES