Gliding in Jeżów Sudecki

Photo: Piotr Klementowski · Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

~2 days

Why go

Jeżów Sudecki has been a gliding site since the 1920s, when the Grunau school above Jelenia Góra helped invent the sport. The Karkonosze throw up reliable ridge lift and mountain wave, so pilots come from across Europe for long soaring flights over the Jelenia Góra basin.

When

In season: Apr–Sep · Peak: May–Aug

Who it’s for

Skill

Beginner–Expert

Effort

Easy

Suitable from

14+ · Teen+

Crowds

Quiet

Cost

$$$$

Gliding specifics

Flights: Ridge soaring, Thermal cross-country, Introductory
Launch: Winch and aerotow
Introductory flights: Yes
Solo course: Yes

What to expect

An introductory two-seat flight with an instructor needs no experience; qualified pilots can hire gliders for ridge soaring and cross-country. Flying depends entirely on the weather, so allow spare days.

Flights

What the difficulty bands mean

easy: Accessible with basic fitness; no technical skills or exposure.
moderate: Sustained effort or some exposure; comfort on the terrain expected.
hard: Long, technical or serious — experience and the right conditions required.

Introductory flight
easy
Two-seater with an instructor from one of the world's oldest gliding schools
Ridge soaring on the Karkonosze front
moderate
Lift off the mountain wall, the site's classic flight
Thermal cross-country to Jelenia Góra basin
hard
Longer XC over the valley on a good day

How to start

Contact the aeroclub at the Jeżów Sudecki airfield to book an introductory flight or a check flight. Base in Jelenia Góra, a few minutes away.

Who runs this

Aeroklub Jeleniogórski · Jeżów Sudecki — The gliding club that has flown from Góra Szybowcowa since 1946, running beginner glider courses and recreational flights off the Karkonosze ridge and wave.

Listed because they’re local and run this themselves. We take no commission.