Ambroz

Ambroz is an approachable thermal, soaring and cross-country site on a hill above the town of Cerklje in Slovenia, close enough to Ljubljana's Brnik airport that pilots often use it as a landmark when driving in. There are two launches about 200 m apart in altitude, chosen by wind direction: the upper start for west or southwest wind, the lower one for east wind, and a car can reach either one comfortably, with about 25 minutes of driving from the main road to get most of the way there. Neither launch is particularly technical. The landing sits at the foot of Grajski vrh hill — the same hill pilots drive around on the way up to launch — marked with windsocks so the correct approach side is obvious. Airspace here is genuinely tight: a control zone sits near the landing, so pilots must stay below 300 m above the landing field at all times.

Launch & conditions

Two launches sit about 200 m apart in altitude and are picked by wind direction: the upper start for west or southwest wind, the lower start for east wind. Both are reachable by car, and neither is particularly technical.

Getting there & local rules

The launch is above the village of Grad. Coming from Brnik Airport, drive straight to Cerklje and continue toward the mountains; about 500 m past Cerklje, turn right at the signposted junction near a small church, and the landing field comes into view after another 500 m.

Local rules & hazards

A control zone sits near the landing field, so pilots must stay below 300 m above the landing at all times. Pick the correct launch for the day's wind — upper for west/southwest, lower for east — and avoid flying in hazardous conditions.

Check conditions before you fly

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