Fanas – Hörnli – Eggli

Fanas / Hörnli / Eggli sits on a wide, sunny south-facing shoulder above the Prättigau valley in eastern Switzerland, served by a gondola from the village of Fanas. Multiple launches spread across the mountain — Eggli at 1,650 m near the top of the cable car, Hörnli at 1,800 m a 20-minute walk up, plus Mast 4 for easy drive-up access and the summer-only Plandadein site — give solid options in almost any wind bar strong northerlies. The site can get very busy on classic days, so booking your gondola space in advance is essential for groups. It's a proper Alpine site with real XC potential when the föhn is not on the menu.

Launch & conditions

Two main launches: Eggli (1,650 m, ~200 m south-east of the top gondola station, both PG and HG) and Hörnli (1,800 m, ~20 min uphill). Both are large and easy for many pilots at once. Mast 4 is a drive-up alternative preferred by hang gliders; Plandadein is a late-afternoon launch, and only outside the vegetation period.

Getting there & local rules

From Zürich towards Chur, exit at Landquart towards Klosters/Davos, then via Grüsch to Fanas (very limited parking — better to leave the car in Schiers and take the bus to Fanas). The gondola does not run 12:00–13:00. Landings: Grüsch is the official valley LZ (windsock, used by HGs), Schiers is another option, and Fanas above the gondola station is a paraglider-only LZ open October–March. From 12 Jan to 13 Mar 2026 the gondola is closed for maintenance.

Local rules & hazards

Not recommended in strong NW to NE winds. Do not fly when föhn is blowing or forecast — the strong turbulent south wind here (and Nordföhn from Italy, usually even more turbulent) is unsafe for free flight. Swiss airspace is complex — check active danger areas before every flight.

Check conditions before you fly

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