Tribalj (Rijeka)

Tribalj sits inland from Rijeka on the Croatian Adriatic — a long, sun-baked rocky ridge running roughly 20 km, with a lake below that gives it an unusual second identity as one of the region's go-to acro/SIV spots. The main takeoff sits at 770 m with about 680 m to landing, and the site's mix of solid altitude, warm sea air and reliable thermals means it works from early morning to sunset in summer. Mid-day thermals can get strong, but afternoons usually calm down enough for less experienced pilots. The lake is the site's trump card for advanced work: two minutes off launch you're above 600 m of water — plenty for testing extreme manoeuvres or trying a new wing. Just don't underestimate the ridge in a bora.

Launch & conditions

Starting elevation 770 m, ~680 m to landing. Launch is small stones and sand; a clean plateau fits about 3 wings, with room for more around it. Direction: SE, S, SW and W; thermal channelling can even let you launch in an easterly. Takeoff sits in a saddle so the airflow is channelled — with stronger winds mixed with thermals, launch can be demanding, especially for beginners.

Getting there & local rules

Main road from Tribalj over Kostelj, Baretić and Antov. After the last house a narrow road climbs a steep serpentine through the rocks (not for nervous drivers) and continues to the plateau with high-voltage cables — that's the takeoff. Hang-glider takeoff is 1 km further along the road. Landings: the lawn in central Tribalj by the football grounds, or the larger lawn west of the lake next to the pine forest along the road — watch the wires along the lake edge and through the valley. On thermally active days the central Tribalj landing gets turbulent from houses and thermals, and the lawn is split by a fence in the middle.

Local rules & hazards

DO NOT FLY in bora, N, NE or NW wind — deadly dangerous here. No flying across the valley in front of takeoff above 400 m ASL — that airspace is CTR and forbidden.

Check conditions before you fly

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