Gliding in Liberec: Javornik Hill
All slope soaring takes place not far from Liberec at the last "peak" of the south eastern part of Jested summit - Javornik.
The map shows the complete terrain of the hill - for a detailed description of the flying areas just click on the yellow spots on the map.
Accept for "Little Zaskali" and "The Pines" the slope itself is not as steep as you would wish. For this reason, after taking off, you have to fly quite far ahead of you where the climb starts.
Thanks to the mountain terrain and landscape a sudden break up can occur. At this point your plane can descent in such way that you can consider a piano falling from the fifth floor a relatively decent glider. But after a while everything gets back in order that even bricks fly.
Under the woods - Long slope with variable steepness
Access: Take a right at the chapel and down the field path to the edge of the woods. Then walk down through the woods.
Starting spot: Right after coming out the woods. Hand launch.
Pit: Near the edge of the woods left of the road.
Wind: West, West-Southwest also usable.
Start: Handlaunch, sling catapult.
Flying: No problems even for beginners. After launching and in lower altitude you don't see your plane at the horizon but against the Jested ridge - sometimes hard to distinguish the model. Otherwise great slope for first time starts.
Landing: Downwind up the slope from the right. No problem.
This is the access route. The pit is at the edge of the woods.
Summer panorama (1938 x 540)
Winter panorama (2454 x 540)
Big Meadow - A steep slope with enough space on the other side of the chapel
Access: Take a right at the chapel and down the field path to the edge of the woods.
Parking: At the edge of the woods.
Staring spot: Right from the road, elev. 646m.
Pit: At the parking.
Wind: Mainly Northeast, North also usable.
Start: Handlaunch, sling catapult.
Flying: Without problems even for beginners. The biggest flying area.
Landing: Anyway you like. There are, however, woods behind you and on the left side. The trees at the chapel are far enough.
Summer panorama (1939 x 540)
Pines - Opposite the Big Meadow and it is a quite steep slope with pine trees right to the top
Access: Take a right at the chapel and down the field path to the edge of the woods.
Starting spot:
a) From a small bump closer to the chapel.
b) From the top close to the woods in the corridor.
Wind: Southwest.
Start:
ad a) Handlaunch over the pines - only for experienced and fearless ones.
ad b) Handlaunch into the corridor - for the tough ones that left their nerves at home. This is what we call graduation!
No problem with a sling catapult (recommended if you don't fell like it). If your plane does not begin to climb it is strongly recommended that you hurry back, the pines are high (although they don't look high, but they're on a steep slope!!).
Flying: Pure perfection if the wind is stable and at least 5m/sec. If you don't feel like it pass your plane to someone experienced that will gain some altitude for you and afterwards, if you don't panic, you should be well on your own.
Landing: No problem.
If you think you're tough you can try it from the top close to the woods (b). The pines in the back are at least 25m high.
Letní panorama (2482 x 540)
Zimní panorama (2363 x 540)
Chapel - Steeper slope for experienced pilots
Access: Take a left from the main road - follow the signs to the village Javornik - drive all the way up the road to the chapel.
Parking: Close to the chapel behind the road going to the top of the hill (on the left from the road - see above picture) and don't forget to leave enough landing space.
Starting spot: Right from the road, elev. 646m.
Pit: At the parking place.
Wind: Mainly North wind, Northwest also usable.
Start: Just throw it! Handlaunch or you can use a sling catapult.
Flying: No problem for the experienced ones.
Landing: Downwind up the slope for beginners. Otherwise from left or right with crosswind or headwind for experienced ones. There are woods on both sides of the slope and one close behind you.
Parking place, chapel, slopes #1, 2, 2a behind the chapel.
Summer panorama (1702 x 540)
Winter panorama (2390 x 540)
Big Zaskali - Spacious slope with a gentle gradient, without any obstacles
Access: See. Little Zaskali - but do not turn left, turn right, the path is right next to the slope.
Parking: There is a public parking place right under the slope. Or you can park like when going to Little Zaskali.
Staring spot: Under the woods on the top. Walk straight up the hill from the parking place, elev. 643m. From the Little Zaskali parking walk up the tourist path and turn right or walk right up the hill from the parking.
Pit: At the edge of the woods.
Wind: East, Southeast also usable.
Start: Handlaunch.
Flying: Wonderful. Ideal for beginners and first time starts.
Landing: From any direction, also downwind up the slope. There are woods behind you!
One of the possibilities to park your car is right under the slope. You have to walk up.
Summer panorama (4040 x 540)
Little Zaskali - This is the steepest slope of Javornik 500m wide and declines 400m
Access: Take the old road to Liberec (if your coming from Hodkovice). Take a left on the top right before the bus stop and follow the country road marked with a tourist sign.
Or take the old road from Liberec to Hodkovice. At the Zaskali village take a right after the bus stop and follow the country road.
Parking: Beside the trees along the road or at the end of the road.
Starting spot: Follow the tourist marked footpath. After approx. 50m take a left and follow the footpath through the woods, elev. 614m.
Pit: Along the woods.
Wind: South, Southeast usable, Southwest difficult.
Start: Handlaunch, sling catapult.
Flying: Perfect! Great thermal up-current soaring.
Landing: More exacting - from left or right with side wind on to a relatively small area. Or downwind up the slope. Not recommended for inexperienced pilots. High woods behind you.
You can see Hodkovice airport under the horizon.
Summer panorama (3499 x 540)