Arfuyen

Arfuyen is a morning-only flying site in the French Alps foothills, workable only in calm conditions with headwind under 20 km/h — once thermals kick in, it turns genuinely turbulent, so pilots plan to be off launch before the day heats up. Flying is closed during the local hunting season, under the rules in force at the time. Reaching launch is on foot: from the col de la chaîne, follow the start of the GR long-distance trail, then an unmarked but clearly-trodden path up to takeoff, about 30 minutes of walking — a steep enough trail that it's difficult for hang gliders and rigid wings to manage. Because the landing fields depend on what's growing in them season to season, pilots are expected to walk down to check the landing before hiking up to launch. Park off the roads and away from private property.

Launch & conditions

This is a morning-only site: only flyable in calm conditions with headwind under 20 km/h, since it turns very turbulent once thermals build.

Getting there & local rules

On foot from the col de la chaîne, following the start of the GR trail, then an unmarked but clearly-trodden path to launch — about 30 minutes, and steep enough to be difficult for hang gliders and rigid wings.

Check conditions before you fly

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