Topolitsa East

Topolitsa East is one of two launches on a ridge of the Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains), reached from a village of the same name about 40km northwest of Burgas. Both takeoffs here sit roughly 350m above the valley floor and 1.2km apart, and both work well for thermal and ridge soaring. The East takeoff itself is steep and clean, but there's a catch worth knowing before you commit: there's no landing option directly below it, so if the lift feels weak right after launch, the safer move is to turn right toward the landing zone that serves the South takeoff instead. The flight over forest, fields and mountain below is the kind pilots remember for a long time. Landing is a large field near the road just before the village — spacious, but watch for power lines running along its right side.

Launch & conditions

The East takeoff is steep and clean, about 350m above the valley and 1.2km from the South takeoff. There's no landing zone directly below it, so if lift is weak right after launch, turn right toward the landing that serves the South takeoff instead.

Getting there & local rules

From Burgas, follow the old road to Aitos; at the end of town, turn right at the 'Topolitsa 12km' sign. Pass through Karageorgievo, then reach Topolitsa — in the village center, turn right again and follow the road up the mountain. Near the top, a dirt road on the right leads to the South takeoff after 100m; continue another 1.5km for the East takeoff. Landing is a large field near the road just before the village — watch for power lines along its right side.

Check conditions before you fly

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