Dalenwil – Haldigrat

Dalenwil–Haldigrat sits high above the Engelberg valley in central Switzerland, a strong thermal and soaring site with real cross-country range and options for hike-and-fly too. Access is by gondola from Dallenwil to Niederrickenbach, followed by a roughly 20-minute walk to the Haldigrat chairlift, which carries pilots the rest of the way up. The single biggest hazard here isn't the flying itself — it's the valley below: numerous unmarked, barely visible cables cross the Engelberger valley, often in places pilots don't expect, so checking current info at the gondola stations or with local pilots before flying matters more than usual. The paraglider landing zone has been relocated from its original spot because of lee rotor risk in certain wind, so use the current map rather than an old memory of the site. Airspace to the north sits under Buochs's controlled zone, and Föhn conditions are a real factor here.

Launch & conditions

A strong thermal and soaring site with good cross-country range, also reachable on foot for hike-and-fly.

Getting there & local rules

Gondola from Dallenwil to Niederrickenbach, then about a 20-minute walk to the Haldigrat chairlift.

Local rules & hazards

Numerous unmarked, barely visible cables cross the Engelberger valley below, often in unexpected places — check current info at the gondola stations or with local pilots before flying. The paraglider landing zone was relocated due to possible lee rotors, so use the current map. Airspace to the north sits under Buochs's controlled zone, and Föhn conditions are a real factor here.

Check conditions before you fly

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