Riein

Riein launches at about 1,710 m in Graubünden, facing west, and is a solid option for thermal and soaring flying with hike-and-fly access. It shares its landing field with the nearby 'Bündner Rigi' site at Ilanz-West, so pilots already familiar with that landing know the approach here too. One operational rule matters more than most: the takeoff must not be used if the grass there hasn't been cut, so check current ground conditions before committing to fly from here. The valley is Föhn country, and wind can shift fast once Föhn sets in, so it pays to check the forecast rather than trust what the morning looked like. Swiss airspace around sites like this is genuinely intricate, with active danger areas that can change, so confirming current airspace and danger-area status before flying is worth the extra few minutes. Between the altitude, thermal and soaring potential, and a shared, known landing, it's a good addition to a Graubünden flying day — provided the grass has been cut and Föhn isn't building.

Local rules & hazards

The takeoff must not be used if the grass hasn't been cut — check ground conditions first. This is Föhn country, so wind can shift quickly; check the forecast before flying. Swiss airspace and active danger areas here can change, so confirm current status before flying.

Check conditions before you fly

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