Hoven

Hoven is a soaring and cross-country site above the village of Loen in western Norway, with several launch options that let pilots pick their spot to match the day's wind and their own comfort level: one to the east near the gondola's top station, others by the restaurant building, and a gentler option further west and above the road for stronger thermic days. All the launches are natural, unimproved ground, launchable from southeast through south to southwest. A strong afternoon thermal wind off the fjord is typical here through the summer half of the year. Landing is down in Loen at a marked main field, with a reserve area kept for emergencies; during the growing season pilots are asked to avoid trampling the meadow and to carry gear to the roadside to pack up. Watch the windsock at the landing and the flags near the hotels in the valley below — if they're reading wind even slightly off the mountain, expect noticeable sink on the way in.

Launch & conditions

Multiple natural, unprepared launch options exist around Hoven — east near the gondola's top station, by the restaurant building, and a gentler west-side option above the road for strong-thermic days. Give the cable-car span and cables a wide, safe berth; launchable wind runs southeast through south to southwest.

Getting there & local rules

Reached via the Hoven gondola/cable car above Loen, or on foot to the alternate launches.

Local rules & hazards

The area sits under a height ceiling of 2,591 m, dropping to 1,372 m if you fly west into the neighboring Sogn airspace, and sees local helicopter tourist traffic through the Olden–Loen–Stryn area — pilots are asked to report their flying activity to the area's aviation authorities before and after flying.

Check conditions before you fly

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